Chapter 17 – From the Beginning  

It was a crazy development.

“Kill it.”

Only Tae Seo-jun could express madness and cruelty with a voice that was both soft and disciplined. His expression was as cold as the blue uniform he wore.

Such elegance and solid dignity were as familiar to Seo-jun as breathing, transcending the real and virtual worlds.

The sturdy horse with a fine mane seemed fine at a glance, but its left front hoof couldn’t fully touch the ground, kicking up white dust. It was clearly a fatal joint injury.

The veterinarian, who was looking at the injured horse with pity, bowed his head and pleaded.

“It’s serious, but it’s not an incurable wound. If you just give him a chance, I will do my best to treat him.”

“Unfortunately, what use is a horse that has lost a leg in the hunting ground?”

A calm smile that didn’t seem to hold any pity spread on his red lips. It was a sneer that contrasted sharply with his clean skin and sharp jawline.

“It’s a horse you cherished, and isn’t it too cruel to deny it even a chance to live, bitten by a mad dog?”

“I don’t repeat myself. Take care of it. Along with that mad hunting dog.”

Seo-jun, who refused the continued pleas with a single stroke, took off the hat he was wearing. His black hair reflected dazzling light as it met the bright sunlight.

The veterinarian wore a troubled expression at the resolute and consistent attitude of his lord.

“I will take my leave.”

His sharp black eyes swept over the attendants following him. As Seo-jun turned his horse’s head, the procession of nobles was about to leave the hunting ground.

Bang!

And the second gunshot, heard just a moment later, ripped through the dense forest and vast fields with sharpness.

With this, the lord’s command was perfectly executed.

Clap, clap, clap, clap…

As the one-shot filming ended, staff members stationed throughout the outdoor area raised their arms and clapped.

“Wow, really! It ended in one take without any NGs? The director insisted on a one-take, but I thought we’d have to cut a few times.”

“That’s Tae Seo-jun for you. An actor who perfectly understands his role and executes it precisely.”

“Indeed. No wonder prominent directors always list Tae Seo-jun as their top casting choice.”

“Huh, glad you finally realized that.”

Director Yoon Ji-wan, after exchanging a few words with the assistant director, signaled the crew to wrap up.

Some time later.

Having finished today’s shoot, Seo-jun stopped in his tracks as he was heading to his car parked at the mountain parking lot and looked at one spot.

Among the parked vehicles, one particularly luxurious car stood out.

Changing his direction, Seo-jun approached the car and swiftly got into the back seat, closing the door quickly as if not wanting anyone to see. As if he couldn’t let anyone know about this secret relationship.

Fitting the suspicious meeting, a beautiful woman with deep eyes was sitting in the car. She spoke with a somewhat aloof expression, as if she had been waiting for Seo-jun for a while.

“The role suits you well. Your cold demeanor hasn’t changed, before or after the military. How are you supposed to date like that?”

At the end of her low and elegant voice, there was a warm smile full of affection.

“You say strange things. I told you not to come because of this.”

“You kept making excuses about being busy, so I had no choice but to come. Thanks to you, I got to see the spring flowers and visit this place with fresh air.”

Her soft voice continued, and Seo-jun’s somewhat sharp gaze met the rearview mirror. Meeting the eyes of the driver, Seo-jun lightly scolded him with a joking tone.

“Didn’t I tell you separately? If my mother insisted on coming this way, please stop her.”

“I’m sorry. But you know I can’t go against Mrs. Cha’s orders.”

As the driver stammered, Mrs. Cha pinched Seo-jun’s arm without much pain.

“Why scold a loyal person? I wouldn’t have any regrets if you listened to me.”

“Is it about the matchmaking again?”

“Even if it’s difficult right now, promise me here. You’ve done as you pleased until now, so after you finish this work, come work at the hotel like your brothers. It’s time to think about marriage, isn’t it?”

Mrs. Cha, knowing well the nature of her son, who rarely showed his true feelings, slightly lowered her eyelashes. It was a sign to seriously consider it while she was still speaking kindly.

“Well.”

Though his tone was neat, Seo-jun furrowed his eyebrows, indicating he had no intention of doing so.

“This boy!”

“If you’re really disappointed, think of it as having been married and divorced once. I’m not interested in marriage.”

A relationship that ends when one turns away. A marriage that offers no guarantee of lasting. Anything less than perfect held no value for him.

“I also don’t want to interfere in father’s business. If I take a position, I doubt my brothers would appreciate it. You know as well as I do, mother, that the more one holds, the more monstrous they become before immense wealth. I must avoid such competition at all costs.”

Though they weren’t openly growling at each other now, it meant there would be no concessions when it came to protecting their own interests. No matter how deep the brotherly bond was.

“Hmm…”

Mrs. Cha was momentarily at a loss for words at Seo-jun’s straightforward answer.

But secretly, she didn’t dislike her son’s cold judgment.

***

So-yeon boarded the bus with a lunch bag containing fruits and simple snacks.

Coinciding with office workers’ commuting time, So-yeon found an unexpected empty seat and sat down.

[Let’s meet at 8 PM.]

It was a message sent from the set by Tae Seo-jun, who was busy filming the drama <Master of the Sun> two hours ago. Rechecking it, So-yeon listened to music flowing from the Bluetooth earphones plugged into her ears and looked out the window.

Since volunteering to be Seo-jun’s training partner, she had been called to the company almost daily. Consequently, So-yeon, who had adjusted her schedule to his day and night, had been using public transport for the past fortnight instead of her car.

After several arguments with Seo-jun, who insisted on taking her home after late-night practice, So-yeon finally gave in and accepted his offer.

It wasn’t easy for someone as busy as him, with a continuous filming schedule, to dedicate an hour or two every day.

Moreover, he didn’t forget to share positive energy, despite mercilessly criticizing her lacking acting skills, which made her more grateful and sorry.

Expressing that gratitude felt like exposing the hidden depths of her heart, so all So-yeon could do was silently follow Tae Seo-jun’s intentions.

That way, she could gather even one more beautiful memory to recall when she wanted to see him.

Staring blankly at the rapidly passing scenery, So-yeon suddenly looked at her vibrating phone.

[Are you free next week? I’d like to treat you to a meal before the drama shoot starts.]

It was a message from Jo In-ha.

[What are you talking about? I should be the one treating you since I always owe you. But I think I won’t have much free time for a while. Let’s have a meal after the shoot in Spain.]

[It’s a shame, but it can’t be helped. Instead, treat me to something nice, not something trivial.]

[Of course, senior.]

A debt of kindness that couldn’t be regarded as mere kindness. Having many regrets toward Jo In-ha, So-yeon cautiously replied and sighed deeply, looking out the window again.

First kiss, first man, first love…

The one person inevitably tied to these first memories.

Until my body turns to dust, I won’t be able to part with him.

So-yeon knew.

A one-eyed fool who could only look at one man. A fool who only knew how to hold tightly onto the thorns that scratched and pierced her inside and out.

A one-eyed fool, despite harboring such pain, didn’t know how to express even a small moan.

The bus, having entered Samseong-dong, slowed down in front of the CN Entertainment building.

The setting sun cast a deep glow on her small, slender face as she got off at the bus stop. So-yeon looked momentarily at the sun setting behind the desolate city.

The sun that would burn everything she had and disappear in brilliant colors, only to rise again as a dazzling dawn.

Can I live a life like that sun?

With that thought, her slightly upturned lips advised her. If you’re worried about an uncertain future, focus even more on what you have to do today.

With a beautiful smile, washing away her previous thoughts, So-yeon hurried her steps.

The closer she got to the company, the faster her heartbeat became.

Thinking that soon she would meet him.

***

“The shining blade, stained with my blood…”

So-yeon couldn’t finish the line of So Yeo-hwa, who loved Ki Cheon-yul. She couldn’t bring herself to touch her counterpart’s face as required.

“From the beginning again.”

Feeling unusually prickly today, So-yeon nervously repeated her lines.

“Hurry up and tell me. You’re not trying to kill me. Surely, your gleaming blade isn’t seeking my blood…”

Like buffering, her words were blocked again, and she let out a thick sigh.

“Ha… I can’t do it.”

“Why can’t you?”

“…!”

Before she could resist, her body was lifted and placed on the desk. Seo-jun brought his lips close to her ear and spoke.

“You should think of me as yours, Ms. Eom So-yeon. Wasn’t it you who fiddled with my hand? You spoke informally well too, so where did that boldness go?”

The low voice that penetrated deep licked her eardrums. So-yeon, whose shoulders shrank, quickly turned her head to Seo-jun’s face.

“What are you doing now…?”

“I thought I had to do this.”

Seo-jun’s hand, softly descending from her crown, twisted the ends of her long hair.

Though it was a man’s hand, the long and straight fingers were more beautiful and delicate than a woman’s, as if they would only hold beautiful things for life.

When that hand grabbed her chin, So-yeon inhaled sharply. Her mind was dizzy, not knowing if the heat burning her skin was hers or his.

Seo-jun had waited until now.

For her to tell him why she disappeared without a word that day. To tell him she hadn’t forgotten him all this time, if he dared to be greedy.

But she never…

“Why are you pretending not to know?”

Though it wasn’t the agreed time, Seo-jun had once wandered the company corridor. Hoping to meet Eom So-yeon by chance.

But that never happened.

Even during practice, she was busy avoiding eye contact whenever their gazes met. As if she was desperately trying to hide something and not get caught.

“Am I a joke to you?”

“…”

Wondering what he was suddenly saying, So-yeon gently shook her head.

“Ah, ignoring people is your specialty, Ms. Eom So-yeon.”

Seo-jun applied pressure to the delicate fingers wrapped around her small chin.

“Then, is making people flustered your specialty, Director?”

The trembling breath was evident in the soft voice that retorted well. And what about the wary eyes? She was like a frightened kitten. It made him want to bite.

Instead of expressing his displeasure, Seo-jun curled the corners of his distinct lips upward.

“It’s not my specialty, but I wonder why I did that.”

I’ve never clung to someone who dislikes me. I’ve never dwelled on minor frictions. I’ve never looked back at things once ended. Why do I want to act the exact opposite around you, Eom So-yeon?

And one more thing.

Why do I want you to only look at me, to only think of me?

Not just want, but desperately.

As his face, with its high nose, slowly leaned toward her, So-yeon’s thick eyelashes trembled.

Having experienced Tae Seo-jun’s intense desire once, she thought she knew what he was about to do.

But So-yeon, swept up in the atmosphere where she seemed to have no choice but to yield her lips, soon closed her eyes. It was her instinct, allowing her, telling her not to avoid it.

Their breaths mingled. Just before Seo-jun’s lips descended on her slightly parted ones.

“…!”

Seo-jun quickly lifted his lowered face.

His keen senses had swiftly detected the gaze secretly watching them.

“…?”

At the last narrow gap about to disappear, So-yeon, a beat late, followed Seo-jun’s gaze to the practice room door, feeling a chill run down her spine.