Chapter 10.1

Chapter 10.1

The car glided through the main gate, winding towards the imposing main building. My heart fluttered uneasily as I took in the carpet of fallen leaves under the canopy of ancient trees. I never expected to be here as Namgung Yena, not Lee Buyeon.

Stepping out of the car, I gazed up at the grandeur of the structure, a surge of exhilaration washing over me. When I walked inside, the staff greeted me warmly.

“Welcome, Miss.”

“We’re relieved to see you safe.”

Such words would be unthinkable in any other household, but the informality was normal for how Miss Yena interacted with them.

“I’ve come to see Grandfather. Has he eaten any of the porridge?”

“Well… he’s hardly touched it.” Jeongeun, one of the housekeepers, said.

Impulsively, I decided, “Can I go to the kitchen?”

“Pardon?”

“If he hasn’t had any, we have to make him eat somehow.”

As I strode towards the kitchen, a hushed murmur trailed behind me. Naturally. Miss Yena had never set foot in the kitchen before. In the bustling kitchen, I took off my coat and rolled up my sleeves.

“Could you give me some milk?”

When I opened the refrigerator, the staff nearby looked as though they might faint. With practiced ease, I began preparing the milk porridge, though I did require some assistance due to my left hand being less nimble. The faces of those watching nearby turned pale with shock.

“Oh, Miss! Do you know how to cook?”

“We’re working on a project using Korean Palace Cuisine at the company. I’ve had experience with my sister before.”

I wasn’t sure how convincing the lie was. Normally, such a task would have been beyond me. The milk porridge was ready. After putting it in a bowl and placing it on a tray, Jeongeun said,

“I’ll take it.”

“Thank you. Could you also prepare some tea? Green tea would be perfect.”

“Of course.”

“Please bring it to Grandfather’s room.”

I headed towards Grandfather’s room. Knocking gently, I entered. Grandfather sat in the main room, gazing out the window.

“Grandfather.”

Grandfather turned his head and gestured for me to come closer. Jeongeun came in, placed the tray on the table, and quietly departed. I kneeled before him and took his hand, his eyes reddened.

“I’ve heard you’re recovered.”

“Yes.”

“A miracle has happened… Thank you…”

Grandfather embraced me. Since hearing what he had said, I began thinking. Wasn’t it also a divine will that an incurable disease had been cured? Ther was something the divine definitely wanted to do with Miss Yena’s body. I straightened my spine and in a firm tone, I said,

“You have to eat.”

“I already did.”

“I heard you barely touched your food. Eat this.”

When I removed the handkerchief covering the tray, Grandfather’s eyes widened.

“This is….”

“It’s milk porridge. I did my best, though not as well as my sister.”

“You made this? How?”

“I secretly learned from my sister all this time. I thought knowing how to cook would help make the project successful.”

“You and your sister-in-law cooked?”

“Yes.”

Grandfather didn’t doubt my words. After taking a bite of the milk porridge, he looked surprised.

“It’s just like your sister-in-law’s. Did you really make this?”

“Who else would have?”

I grew more confident, determined to comfort the gloomy Grandfather and get him to eat.

“Finish it all. After you eat, I’ll tell you something.”

“What is it?”

“I’ll tell you after you eat.”

Though it took a while, Grandfather finished the bowl of milk porridge. Soon after, Jeongeun arrived with tea at the perfect moment. I poured the tea as usual. Grandfather, who had been watching me closely, finally spoke.

“Watching you, it feels just like your sister is sitting here.”

I was taken aback for a moment. It seemed like my ingrained habits weren’t hidden after all.

“I’ve learned a lot from her.”

“I see.”

Handing him the tea, I got to the point.

“Grandfather, it’s about the shares you intended to give to sister.”

Grandfather narrowed his eyes. “How do you know about that?”

“In this household, there’s no one who doesn’t know. My older Brother knows. Aunt knows. Everyone knows. Sister was beaten by older brother because of it.”

“What?”

“Grandfather might have pretended not to know, but there is no one in this family that doesn’t know that older brother beats sister.”

Grandfather was embarrassed. Here I was, using Miss Yena’s voice to criticize the adults.

But my heart couldn’t help but voice out the injustice. Why did you turn the other way and pretend not to know? Why did you act that way?