Moonjeong - Chapter 0 - Prologue

The mansion had been built long ago on a hill once densely covered with pine and nut pine trees. Consequently, the entire estate, including the towering building that resembled a castle, was named Songbaekwon. However, most of the trees that inspired its name were cut down during the mansion’s construction. Only a few remained, accessible only by venturing into the forest connected to the rear garden.

Situated in Geumso-dong, Moonjeong City, on the outskirts of Seoul, the mansion enjoyed a prime location. Moonjeong was so close to Seoul that crossing just one large bridge over the river would take you there, making it highly accessible. True to its slogan as a livable green city, it was surrounded by dense forests on all sides, and the air was noticeably cleaner compared to the heart of the capital.

However, there was one peculiarity: due to the presence of a large lake, the Geumso-dong area frequently experienced fog during the humid summer season. The landscape, shrouded in thick greenery and becoming hazy at dawn or dusk, was quite mysterious and eerie. The locals considered it a unique privilege and often praised it for its picturesque charm.

Songbaekwon, where the Jun Gwang family had lived for three generations, was the most renowned landmark in the area. Positioned on the highest ground, the roof of the French-style stone mansion could be seen from anywhere in the neighborhood.

The residential complex in Geumso-dong, developed with the grand ambition of emulating the affluent areas of Beverly Hills, featured similarly laid-out alleyways, making it easy for newcomers to get lost. In such cases, the locals would advise, “Just find your way around using the blue-roofed mansion on the hill as a reference point.”

Chae-on first set foot there in late summer, just as the monsoon season was ending.