CHAPTER 37…………………….
She knew it—she had recklessly followed a stranger.
That was why she had exaggeratedly clenched her fist, thinking Dowoon would simply laugh it off if she acted tough.
But why was he reacting like this?
As if he were worried about her.
“Ha, who exactly are you planning to hit with that fist…?”
Fortunately, Dowoon’s tense demeanor seemed to soften again. Relieved, Chohee replied brightly.
“It definitely hurt back then!”
“Not at all. I didn’t feel a thing.”
“Oh, please. Liar. Want to get hit again?”
Clenching her fist, Chohee pretended to punch Dowoon’s arm.
“Haha, how absurd.”
At that, Dowoon burst into laughter without resistance.
Thank goodness. The cold air that had settled moments ago lifted, turning warm again.
Smiling faintly, Chohee turned her gaze back to the box. It still looked rather empty.
“Doesn’t this look a bit too bare?”
“Well, I’m not sure—”
Before Dowoon could finish, Chohee headed toward the flower vase in the living room. She gathered a handful of flowers, returned, and placed them inside the box.
Dowoon, who had been silently watching, stiffened slightly.
“…What are you doing?”
“It’s supposed to be a gift. Just giving a single dress seems a bit insincere.”
As expected, it looked much better once decorated.
Chohee quickly brought more flowers from the living room, humming as she began filling the box.
Strangely, the more flowers she added one by one, the darker Dowoon’s expression became.
Was he feeling unwell?
“What’s wrong?”
“…Are you planning to put all the flowers in there?”
“Doesn’t it look nicer and more vibrant?”
“…Don’t you like flowers?”
“I do. Why?”
“And yet you’re giving them all away to someone else… is that really alright?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
“…If that’s what you think.”
Dowoon gave a dry smile. She couldn’t quite grasp what he meant.
Still, he didn’t continue, as if accepting her decision.
“Wow, look at this, Mr. Dowoon.”
With the box now full of flowers, it looked far more presentable than before. Surely the recipient would be pleased.
“Isn’t it beautiful? Mrs. Minamoto will love it, right?”
“Yes, I think she will.”
“That’s such a relief!”
At his agreement, Chohee beamed.
At the same time, Dowoon cleared his throat and turned his head away. Perhaps it was the warmth of the living room, but the tips of his ears had turned red.
Tap, tap.
Each time Chohee snapped off a flower stem without hesitation, Dowoon felt as though one of his own fingers was being cut off.
Well, this is just great. Some unrelated person is about to receive those flowers.
There had been only one reason he had instructed Sunhwa to fill the living room with flowers. It was because Seong Chohee seemed to like them.
“Isn’t it so pretty?”
“…I know.”
“Thank you, Mr. Dowoon.”
When they had taken their wedding photograph, Chohee had held a bouquet and smiled radiantly. That image had become etched in his mind, appearing at random moments.
She seemed to like flowers, so he had ordered them in abundance. He had foolishly thought that if the house were filled with flowers, she might be pleased again.
Yet now she was humming as she prepared to give them to Minamoto Sakura.
Dowoon roughly rubbed his face.
“Ha. How utterly pathetic.”
It seemed he shouldn’t hope to see her smile after all.
“I’m really glad!”
Thud.
But when she looked at the box, she smiled like a spring day—just like she had back then when she saw the flowers.
Thud.
His heart dropped at the same time.
Seeing her like that, his bitterness melted away like snow.
That’s right.
Whatever the reason for her smile—what did it matter?
His purpose was fulfilled. He had only wanted to see her smile.
Two days later. In front of the Hiranisi residence.
Dowoon fastened the buttons of his suit and stepped down from the rickshaw first. He offered his hand so Chohee could descend; she took it naturally and stepped down.
The two had grown accustomed to playing the role of a married couple.
In his other hand, Dowoon held a shopping bag containing two large boxes. Chohee took them from him.
One bag held the dress intended for Mrs. Minamoto. The other contained something she had happened upon—something she would use to persuade Mrs. Hiranisi.
It had been an insignificant purchase at the time. Who would have thought it would be so useful?
“Are you sure it’s alright for you to go in alone?”
Dowoon frowned, clearly worried. It was unheard of for husbands to attend gatherings of wives.
Moreover, he couldn’t very well accompany her somewhere he hadn’t even been invited.
“It’s fine. This is something I have to resolve myself. You can’t help me with it.”
“Still… you can lean on me.”
“I already do. I’ll see you at home later. Now go on.”
Chohee gently pushed him toward the rickshaw. Though he looked uneasy, he reluctantly climbed back aboard.
“Then… I’ll see you shortly, Madam.”
At his farewell, Chohee smiled faintly.
Of course she was nervous. But she had to appear composed in front of him.
After all, she had to clean up the mess she had made.
Inhale.
Taking a deep breath, Chohee pressed the doorbell of the Hiranisi residence.
Ding-dong—
A servant appeared.
“Who is it?”
“I’ve come to see Mrs. Hiranisi. Please inform her that Lucia Lee has prepared a special gift.”
The servant’s gaze dropped to the boxes in the shopping bag. After muttering acknowledgment, the gate slammed shut.
Soon it opened again, and Mrs. Hiranisi appeared, her eyes sharp with suspicion.
“Lucia Lee! What do you think you’re doing here? Don’t you know no one welcomes you?”
“Hello, Mrs. Hiranisi. Have you been well?”
“What is this about a gift? Do you not realize how rude it is to show up unannounced?”
“I do. But there’s something I must say to you, so I came despite the impropriety. You’ve been very kind to me, after all.”
In truth, Hiranisi had not spoken enough with Chohee to warrant such gratitude. But when someone expresses appreciation for your actions, you inevitably feel a sense of pride.
As expected, Hiranisi’s expression softened into a subtle smile.
“What is it, then?”
“I couldn’t think of anyone else to ask… I thought perhaps you might be willing to take something off my hands.”
“I don’t understand.”
“My mother-in-law disapproves of the fact that I studied in England for so long. She intends to discard the items I collected there.”
Forgetting her resistance, Hiranisi leaned in, swallowing as she awaited the next words.
“Would you perhaps be willing to take what I gathered? I believe you would recognize its value—”
“What items?”
“Oh, they were gifts I received while I was part of British high society—”
“So what exactly are they?”
Hiranisi’s gaze dropped meaningfully toward the shopping bag.
But Chohee wasn’t so easily swayed.
Mimicking Dowoon’s composed, picture-perfect smile, she pushed the gate slightly open—just enough to step inside.
“These are valuable items. It would be difficult to show them outside. I’ll show you inside.”
“R-right now? That’s a bit… difficult. I have guests.”
“Oh, I see. How unfortunate. Then let’s pretend this never happened—”
“Wait!”
Chohee stepped back as if regretful, but Hiranisi quickly grabbed her wrist.
“Lucia Lee, why the hurry? Come in first.”
“Didn’t you say you had guests?”
“It’s fine… You can wait in the sitting room. Come in.”
“Then I’ll excuse myself.”
Creak—
The gate opened wide. Chohee slipped inside, and Hiranisi hurriedly shut it behind her.
Following Hiranisi’s urgent steps, Chohee entered the lavish estate. As befitting the mistress of Hiranisi Construction, the path from the garden to the house was extravagantly ornate.
She had thought Dowoon’s house was luxurious, but compared to this, it was nothing.
Well, however successful one’s business might be, it could hardly compare to wealth amassed through exploiting Joseon.
The endless splendor stirred both awe and discomfort in her heart.
“This way.”
Inside, Hiranisi slid open the tatami door to the sitting room and ushered Chohee in.
“Wait here a moment. I’ll excuse myself from the ladies—no, the guests.”
She returned minutes later, her gaze fixed entirely on the shopping bag.
“So, continue what you were saying. What are these items?”
“What I wanted to give you, Mrs. Hiranisi, is this…”
Chohee removed a box and opened it. Inside lay a porcelain teacup set adorned with painted flowers. The handles and rims were delicately lined with gold.
Hiranisi’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
“This was a gift I received in England.”
In truth, it was a teacup set of unknown origin.
But the truth didn’t matter. It was about to be transformed into something used by British aristocrats in high society.
“When I was in society, a certain lady—ah, I hope you’ll excuse me for not mentioning her name. She dislikes publicity. In any case, she gifted me a teacup set from a brand often used in high society.”
Chohee, who had once disliked lying, found falsehoods flowing effortlessly today.
Perhaps she had picked it up from Dowoon.
Hiranisi lifted a cup with trembling hands. If she looked too closely, she might notice its flaws.
Quickly, Chohee added,
“I heard that a former court painter personally painted the flowers. It was far too precious for me, but since I was returning to Joseon, she insisted I take it.”
“You’re giving this… to me?”
“My mother-in-law is very rigid. She called it a foreigner’s trinket and intended to smash it.”
“Why on earth would she destroy something so precious?”
“Who can know her heart? But since it’s valuable, I thought it best given to someone who can appreciate it. Of course, if it makes you uncomfortable, I’ll take it back.”
“No! No need. I’ll keep it safe for you, Lucia Lee.”
“Oh, what a relief. Thank you. I’ve also included tea bags with the same fragrance as what we drank in society. If you brew them, you’ll catch a hint of London in the air.”
That final remark sealed the deal. Watching Hiranisi fawn over the teacups, Chohee smiled inwardly.
“Then I’ll take my leave. Thank you for your time.”
“W-wait. What’s in the other box?”
“Oh, that is…”
Chohee deliberately trailed off.
Hiranisi’s eyes bore into her lips, waiting eagerly for her next words.
