II - 21

Upon receiving news that the construction of the annex had been completed, I finished filling it with furnishings. Following I-jun’s advice—only by choosing unconditionally high-end items could I avoid any gossip—I swiped his black card so much that I began to wonder just how high its limit was.

When I added a premium to the furniture company that initially said delivery from overseas would take over a month, I received word just a few days later that everything had been set up.

For the first time in her life, I-ryeong experienced firsthand how money truly could solve anything.

As a wedding gift, she received the same luxury car he owned, in the exact same color. She tried to refuse such an extravagant gift, but after I-jun’s subtle request, she gradually transformed into the “little madam” of Dogok-dong.

All the clothes she brought into their new home were now replaced with luxury brands—even down to the smallest detail, like hairpins.

He insisted these were things she deserved as Mrs. Seo Yi Joon, and today, driving her imported car, she arrived at the Dogok-dong family estate.

She arrived with a different feeling than before.

Parking her car in front of the gate surrounded by tall walls, a guard rushed over in the blink of an eye.

“Please allow me to escort you.”

Following the uniformed guard, she entered the Dogok-dong mansion.

As she climbed the stone steps, a wide-open garden greeted her. She took in the scenery she hadn’t noticed before due to her earlier daze.

Behind the main house, the mountains loomed thick with trees, and in the distance stood the annex where their honeymoon phase would begin.

“So... I’m really getting married…”

A tension she hadn’t felt before crept up on her as she gazed at the annex. Her heart pounded so loudly it seemed to echo in her ears.

The marriage that had been suddenly decided upon was finally becoming real.

Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined marrying the Senior Managing Director—a man with whom she’d barely crossed paths.

Though this marriage was one of understanding, she had secretly fallen in love with him.

Misled by his kind tone and gaze, she found herself holding onto hope, but she still couldn’t fully grasp his feelings. Did he only want her for sex?

With this frustration weighing on her mind, I-ryeong entered the main house.

“Welcome. The chairman is waiting for you.”

Her mother-in-law’s personal secretary was waiting at the entrance. With a slight smile, I-ryeong followed the secretary inside.

As they passed through the vestibule adorned with artwork and headed toward the living room, a voice called out:

“Are you here to see the annex?”

Yoo Jin stood at the end of the hallway, her head tilted slightly in disapproval.

I-ryeong sensed hostility.

Not everyone could be supportive of this marriage, after all.

“Hello?”

“Do I look like I’m doing well?”

Yoo Jin approached slowly, taking I-ryeong’s greeting as provocation.

“The young master isn’t here.”

“I know.”

She had already been informed that he was at a golf outing.

“Oh? Do you even know who he went with?”

Yoo Jin’s lips curled mockingly, as if taunting her.

“I don’t wish to interfere in Mr. I-jun’s personal schedule.”

I-ryeong brushed off the provocation lightly.

“Do you even play golf? You’re supposed to hit the field every once in a while. Somehow, I doubt you’ve ever touched a golf club.”

Ignoring the secretary standing nearby, Yoo Jin burst into laughter, mocking I-ryeong outright.

“There’s something called ‘golf entertainment.’ Of course, our young master is on the receiving end of that.”

I-ryeong understood perfectly what she was implying.

But she didn’t feel the need to respond to such immature provocation.

“Thank you for your concern.”

She smiled faintly at Yoo Jin, returning the childish jab with equal measure.

“My dear.”

At that moment, Jung Ae’s voice came from the living room.

“Yes, Mother.”

“Come here for a moment.”

Feeling the weight of Jung Ae’s imposing presence, Yoo Jin hurried over.

Watching this unfold, I-ryeong caught the secretary’s eye. It felt like a silent question—”Are you alright?”—so she gave a quick wink and a short laugh.

Then, following the secretary again, she entered the living room.

Jung Ae sat in the prime seat on the sofa, with Yoo Jin standing beside her.

“If the younger one heard this, it’d be easy to misunderstand.”

“I was just...”

Yoo Jin trailed off, looking like a student being scolded by her teacher.

“Refrain from making low-quality jokes that don’t suit your standing.”

Jung Ae folded the newspaper she had been reading in half and gave Yoo Jin a warning. Then, as if on cue, she rose from the sofa, her robe flowing behind her, and approached I-ryeong.

“I-jun is out on the field with his father, so don’t let unnecessary thoughts trouble you, young one.”

“…Understood, Mother.”

Before I-ryeong could even bow properly, Jung Ae’s words had already left her momentarily stunned, causing her to lower her head in silence.

“It would be good for you to learn golf. I’ll make sure to talk to I-jun about it separately.”

“Yes.”

I-ryeong’s mind was spinning. She felt dizzy.

Jung Ae had just referred to her as “young one,” almost as if acknowledging her as part of the family.

“Mrs. Choi, please escort the young miss to the annex.”

Her tone had become surprisingly gentle.

“Going forward, Mrs. Choi will be stationed at the annex, so keep that in mind.”

To think they were assigning her a personal staff member. Overwhelmed, I-ryeong could only nod repeatedly.

It was starting to sink in—she was marrying into a chaebol family.

Following Mrs. Choi, who led the way, I-ryeong left the main house and crossed over to the annex.

“I am Choi Jeong-hee, who will be serving you, Young Madam. Please feel free to call me by name.”

Mrs. Choi, with her kind and warm demeanor, bowed deeply in greeting.

“I’ll address you as Madam Choi. Is that alright?”

“Yes, that’s perfectly fine.”

I-ryeong pursed her lips slightly and exhaled softly.

Looking around the annex, now fully furnished, she couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of emotions.

As evening fell, the family gathered in the dining room. As always, Jung Ae took her place at the head of the table.

“Did all the wedding furnishings arrive well?”

Her father-in-law, Kyung-soo, asked warmly.

“Yes, thanks to your careful attention, everything has been beautifully arranged.”

I-ryeong responded sweetly, exchanging a glance with I-jun, who sat beside her.

“Of course! If the person using them is satisfied, there’s nothing better than that.”

Kyung-soo smiled, clearly pleased to see his youngest son and daughter-in-law exchanging affectionate looks.

The dining table was filled with a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

“The younger daughter-in-law has it good. We’re living with our parents, right, dear?”

Yoo Jin, stabbing her salad aggressively, pinched her husband Seong-ha’s side to voice her discontent.

“Eldest child.”

“…Yes, Mother.”

“You must speak properly. Whose house do you think this is?”

Jung Ae didn’t bother to hide her displeasure.

“Honey, Mom is right. We’re living in our parents’ house.”

When her husband sided with his mother, Yoo Jin’s frustration boiled over. She had wanted her own annex, but her mother-in-law had firmly drawn the line.

“Young one, don’t speak casually to your elders. Show respect.”

“Mother, I’m five years older than her! I want to speak casually.”

Yoo Jin vented her irritation.

“It’s fine. Please speak however you’re comfortable, Sister-in-law.”

Sensing the growing tension, I-ryeong tried to calm Yoo Jin down.

“If my sister-in-law says it’s fine, then I’ll speak casually too.”

“Younger sister, you really—!”

In the end, Jung Ae slammed her chopsticks down on the table with a sharp sound.

“Sister-in-law.”

I-jun, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up, his hand tightly gripping I-ryeong’s under the table.

“Yes, Young Master?”

“Speak casually to me too. I’m two years younger than you, after all.”

Though his voice remained calm, his face betrayed a simmering anger.

“Young Master, how could I possibly do that? No.”

“Then, just as you show respect to me, please respect this person as well. I’m asking you.”

I-jun blatantly took I-ryeong’s side, just as they had initially agreed.

On the last weekend of March, the wedding ceremony was held at a hotel in the heart of Seoul. 

In accordance with I-jun’s special request, the hotel paid extra attention to security. 

[We have stationed a total of 15 guards at the entrance of the wedding hall, the bride’s waiting room, and the entrance to the ceremony hall.] 

After confirming the message from the hotel staff, I-jun put away his phone and turned his gaze to I-ryeong, who sat beside him. He was worried about her—she hadn’t eaten since the day before due to her dress fitting. 

“Are you this nervous?” 

She pursed her lips and gave a slight nod, struggling to breathe under the overwhelming tension. 

I-ryeong’s lips were parched. Her heart felt like it would explode from the anxiety that had started the night before. 

“Would you like some champagne?” 

I-jun pulled out a bottle of champagne from the limousine’s fridge and lightly shook it. 

“It’ll help calm your nerves.” 

“…Just a little, please.” 

After much deliberation, I-ryeong accepted the glass and watched as it filled with champagne. Carefully, she brought the glass to her lips, making sure not to smudge her perfectly applied lipstick. 

“Is something on your face?” 

She tilted her head slightly toward I-jun, who was staring at her so intently it felt overwhelming. 

Instead of answering, he simply smiled. 

“Give me a mirror. I’m so self-conscious I can’t handle it.” 

“There’s no need for a mirror.” 

She was perfect. 

The designer gown, hastily flown in from overseas, was almost overshadowed by her beauty. She had always thought herself prettier than most, but today—after receiving the best service at the shop—she was mesmerizing. She shone more brilliantly than the diamond-encrusted tiara adorning her head. 

“Are you sure?” 

“The way you looked when you came out of the shop hasn’t changed, so don’t worry.” 

Even her anxious, wavering eyes were beautiful. 

“Are you really sure?” 

Her deep breaths, laced with disbelief, were dizzying. The way the dress clung to her figure made him regret having her wear it at all. 

“…Hah.” 

Finally, I-jun let out a deep sigh. 

As he gazed at her, dazzling and breathtakingly beautiful, desire coursed through him relentlessly. He wanted to tear the dress off her right then and there, to find the hidden spot beneath it and claim her. Swallowing those urges with great effort, he forced a smile. 

“I don’t trust you, I-jun.” 

Eventually, I-ryeong set the glass aside and pulled a mirror from her bag. 

“You’re beautiful.” 

His sudden confession caused her hand to drop limply. 

“You look so beautiful, I wasn’t even sure it was you.” 

I-jun’s eyes were fixed solely on her. 

Though she had been beautiful when she reached her peak in his arms, now she was stunning beyond words. 

“I thought I wouldn’t be nervous at all. But today, that changed.” 

His confession made her ears burn, and she averted her gaze, unable to meet his eyes. 

“When I see you, I get nervous and feel strange.”