Dawn broke gently over the land.

Dew had collected overnight and was now slipping from the tips of the grass, while birds – just awakening – fluttered to perch on budding branches, filling the air with cheerful chirps.

Woo-hye slowly opened her eyes, awakened by the familiar morning sounds and the fresh, cool air.

Last night, San-gyeong had left the room without warning, leaving her alone. She had been confused at first, but exhaustion soon overcame her and she fell asleep.

She wasn’t really surprised. After all, he had said that he wanted them to live as brother and sister.

‘So in the end, our wedding night was never even consummated.’

With a dazed expression, Woo-hye slowly sat up and reached across the bed – just in case.

But the sheets on the other side were cold.

‘He didn’t just leave early. He didn’t even come back last night?’

“What on earth is going through his head?”

He could be cold even when he seemed warm, distant even when he seemed attentive.

It didn’t feel deliberate, and yet – everything he did left just enough of a question mark to linger in her mind.

And that was perhaps the most annoying thing of all.

But if nothing else, his strange behaviour had at least distracted her from remembering that Gyu-yeong was nearby.

Just as Woo-hye reached for her walking stick, a voice called from outside.

“Madam, it’s Hyang-eum.”

“Come in.”

It was just after the morning hour – jin-si – when Hyang-eum entered the bridal chamber, followed by a few servants.

“From now on, Ryeong-ah and Moo-ah will help me take care of you in the inner rooms.”

Ryeong-ah and Moo-ah were sisters, newly appointed and among the few she could trust.

Most of the other servants had ties to Pungugak, but these two had not been touched by his influence.

It was clear to Woo-hye that San-gyeong had deliberately chosen them to serve at Yeonmowon.

Everything had been discussed with Hyang-eum beforehand. They had even agreed on who would be kept close to them.

When Woo-hye saw the two girls, she smiled softly, as if she had been waiting for them.

“I will be in your care, Ryeong-ah, Moo-ah.”

“It is our honor to be able to serve you closely, Madam.”

Hyang-eum then instructed the two to prepare bath water and bring in breakfast, and sent them on their way.

“Did the young master leave early this morning?”

“Well, I don’t think he came back at all last night.”

“What? Since last night…? What about your wedding night?”

Without meaning to, Woo-hye replied in a voice tinged with sadness.

“Nothing happened. I think Cheong-un plans to divorce me eventually.”

Hyang-eum’s jaw dropped in shock.

‘Is he crazy? Our lady is so beautiful and he wants a divorce?’

“Why on earth?”

“How should I know?”

Stunned, Hyang-eum kept muttering, “Unbelievable! This is outrageous!” in frustration and disbelief.

Her previous feelings of hostility and disapproval, which had been somewhat tempered by Cheong-un’s decent treatment of Woo-hye, were now rekindled with a vengeance.

Since Hyang-eum had always resented the fact that Woo-hye was not treated as a true legitimate daughter, she was particularly sensitive to any sign of mistreatment of her mistress.

“This won’t do. I can’t sit still like this!”

Hyang-eum rushed out the door, calling loudly to the maids.

“Ryeong-ah! Moo-ah! This is an emergency!”

***

Mujin held his throbbing head and let out a weak sigh.

Between exhaustion from the long journey and drinking too much, his hangover was no joke.

However, since he had gone to bed early the night before, his condition wasn’t so bad that it would ruin the whole next day.

“Why did you push yourself so hard?”

Gyu-yeong looked at Mujin with concern, clearly sensing his fatigue.

He hadn’t liked the idea of coming to Doha in the first place and now everything about this place annoyed him.

Gyeon Jarim felt the same.

She kept grumbling, seemingly unable to get used to the uncomfortable sleeping arrangements.

“I expected something more, since this villa was supposedly built at the height of the Na family’s power. But what is this? How can a mansion be so shabby?”

“When you leave home, it’s only natural that things are uncomfortable, Jarim.”

The three of them were on their way to the dining room of the main house. A friendly servant had stopped by earlier and invited them to join him for breakfast.

Jarim continued to complain.

“This is really too much. I’m only putting up with it because I’ve heard there’s something fun to do in Doha. Otherwise I wouldn’t have come here.”

Gyu-yeong, on the other hand, was unhappy that Woo-hye seemed to be living better than expected.

‘None of this suits me.’

At that moment, Nanny Gye ran towards Gyu-yeong in a panic, calling out desperately,

“Young lady! Miss Gyu-yeong!”

Nanny Gye had just heard that Gyu-yeong had arrived – she had spent the previous night mending a torn wedding dress and nursing her sick daughter. Feeling that she had finally found a lifeline, she rushed to stop Gyu-yeong.

Gyu-yeong recognised her immediately, remembering that Nanny Gye had been sent to the hothouse compound.

“Oh my, Nanny Gye? It’s been a while.”

“You remembered me…!”

Overwhelmed with emotion, Nanny Gye teared up. For her, Gyu-yeong’s arrival felt like a salvation sent by Seol Mi-hee herself.

“Miss Gyu-yeong, please, I beg you – save me. Lady Woo-hye is torturing not only me, but my whole family!”

Gyu-yeong’s eyebrows raised slightly. Woo-hye was no longer a “Miss” – she was now a married woman and should be properly addressed as “Madam”.

The thought that Mujin might still have some lingering affection for his former fiancée left a bitter taste in her mouth.

So she made sure to correct the nanny with firm insistence.

“Nanny, Woo-hye unni got married yesterday. You should call her ‘Madam’ now.”

“Ah, y-yes, of course… I was just nursing my sick daughter all night and it slipped my mind…”

Gyu-yeong had never been particularly fond of Nanny Gye. In fact, she found the older woman’s clinginess rather irritating.

But since Mujin was there – and since he was someone who had spoken badly about Woo-hye – Gyu-yeong decided to play the role of a patient listener, just for show.

“Anyway, what do you mean she’s torturing you? Why would Woo-hye unni mistreat someone like you, who even followed her to Doha to take care of her? Isn’t this just a misunderstanding?”

Fighting back bitter tears, Nanny Gye began to recount the events – but twisted them heavily in her favour, her words twisted and distorted.

Mujin was already tired of it all: his sister’s constant complaints, Gyu-yeong’s overzealous affection, and now this sudden flood of complaints from the nanny.

The whole morning had been exhausting, and it wasn’t even half over yet.

On the surface, Mujin remained composed, his expression calm as he listened politely.

‘She’s obviously trying to cover things up, but it’s obvious that the fault lies entirely with that maid, Choeul.’

Still, he chose not to speak.

As an outsider, it would be inappropriate for him to interfere in the internal affairs of another household.

Clutching her chest in agony, Nanny Gye cried out,

“The head lady has entrusted me with full authority over the affairs of the household! But Miss Woo-hye ignores that – she lives in luxury and throws everything into chaos!”

Gyu-yeong narrowed her eyes.

‘Mother would never have allowed Dan Woo-hye to live comfortably.’

The lavish decorations around the estate and the fine clothes worn by the bride and groom were undoubtedly bought with Cheong-un’s money.

Still, Gyu-yeong put on a sympathetic face and nodded as if she really felt sorry for Nanny Gye.

“Don’t worry, Nanny. I’ll get to the bottom of this.”

“Oh, thank you. Thank you, young lady.”

“You should rest now. You look far too exhausted.”

With these seemingly kind and reasonable words, Gyu-yeong presented herself as the picture of grace – a virtuous young lady, calming a distressed servant with gentle concern.

Compared to her older sister Wan-ri, Gyu-yeong was less beautiful, less talented and far less educated. Naturally, she had always been treated as someone of lesser importance.

Aware of her daughter’s shortcomings, Seol Mi-hee had taught her to embody gentleness and wisdom – qualities admired in any noblewoman.

Though Gyu-yeong was naturally jealous and petty, years of practice had allowed her to imitate the kind of woman her mother had hoped she would become.

Still, it was only an act – and not one she had yet mastered.

With a feigned innocence, she slipped in a sly insult.

“I thought the fresh air and rest in Doha might have cooled her fiery temper… but I suppose not.”

Mujin let it slide. He didn’t think Gyu-yeong was a bad person – just a bit immature.

Besides, Jarim, who was much more blunt, often made Gyu-yeong’s little jabs seem more harmless in comparison.

“Hm, that Dan Woo-hye was always strange. Even as a child, she was as smart as a fox. I lost count of how many times she scolded me!”

“All right, that’s enough.”

Mujin cut in.

“We are guests here. It’s not right to speak ill of our host.”

“But brother…!”

“If you keep raising your voice like that, His Highness the Prince will hear everything. You know how much he dislikes noise. Please try to compose yourself.”

At her brother’s gentle rebuke, Jarim fell silent, and even Gyu-yeong’s expression stiffened slightly – she could tell that Mujin was defending Woo-hye.

The change in tone left a slight bitterness in the air as they made their way to the dining hall.

Moments later, the Sixth Prince entered, dressed in refined robes that exuded noble elegance.

“We greet His Highness, the Sixth Prince.”

“Please be seated, everyone. Hmm…”

The prince paused, surveying the room with a slightly dissatisfied expression.

“Spring has come… and yet no flowers have bloomed. How lonely – like a cold winter pressing down on the heart.”

Jarim rolled her eyes, her face clearly saying, Here we go again – spouting poetry no one asked for.

Gyu-yeong, meanwhile, forced a polite smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

It was obvious what the prince really meant: he was expecting to see Woo-hye – and was disappointed not to see her.

Just then, Iho entered, leading the servants, trays of light refreshments in hand.

“This humble servant greets the esteemed Sixth Prince.”