Chapter 7 …
“Call Bok-hee and Eonnyeon.”
Early in the morning, as soon as the day began to break, Bok-hee and Eonnyeon ran to the front gate at Okdan Eomeom’s summons.
“Okdan Eomeom, did you call us?”
The two, breathless from running, bowed their heads in front of her.
“You’ve come, then.”
Okdan Eomeom, standing with her hands behind her back, gestured toward the area behind her.
A large woman, who had been standing behind her, stepped forward with long strides.
“Greet her properly. This is the new cook you will be serving. If you fail to serve her wholeheartedly, I will discipline you strictly.”
“A… a new cook?”
“Yes. Her name is Kim Chun-ja. She comes from a competent commoner family and is highly skilled. Her position is above yours, so from now on, call her ‘Cook Eomeom’ and follow her instructions. Assist her with kitchen duties. Understood?”
Okdan Eomeom narrowed her eyes and added sternly:
“Also, as your kitchen work decreases, devote your full attention to taking care of Baby Choa. She must never enter the kitchen again under any circumstances.”
Bok-hee and Eonnyeon exchanged a quick glance, then lowered their heads and accepted the order.
“What are you dawdling for? Go greet her properly.”
“Pleased to meet you. I am Eonnyeon.”
“I am Bok-hee.”
Bok-hee and Eonnyeon bowed respectfully.
The woman before them had long, narrow eyes and a fierce expression, her large frame making her look imposing. Her figure was so ample that her belly protruded, and her arms seemed strong enough to lift a large steamer effortlessly.
Her mouth twitched occasionally, hinting at mischief, and a single thick beauty mark below her lip only emphasized her stubbornness.
“Since this place is unfamiliar to you, for the next week or so you will assist Chun-ja in preparing food.”
Bok-hee and Eonnyeon shot another glance at each other.
‘Something tells me we won’t be hearing any kind words.’
The two lowered themselves politely and completed their greeting, keeping calm despite their apprehension. Chun-ja, however, did not lower her gaze even for a moment.
She scanned them from head to toe and let out a scoffing laugh.
“The kitchen?”
She asked abruptly, glancing around.
“Yes, ma’am.”
The two carried Chun-ja’s belongings and hurried toward the kitchen.
But when they stopped at the kitchen doorway, Bok-hee and Eonnyeon frowned.
A sweet aroma reached their noses.
“Could it be…?”
They nervously pushed the door open. Sure enough, Choa was there, making sweet nurungji (scorched rice) treats.
“Uh?”
Startled by the door opening, Choa’s eyes widened before she awkwardly giggled.
“Wow, you’re here?”
“B-Baby Choa!!”
Bok-hee and Eonnyeon rushed to her in a panic.
Chun-ja raised her eyebrows with a fierce look.
“My apologies. The baby….”
Bok-hee hurriedly tried to explain, but Chun-ja, as if unwilling to hear more, grabbed Choa by the shoulder and pushed her aside.
“Pleased to meet you, Baby Choa. I am the new cook, Kim Chun-ja.”
Chun-ja narrowed her eyes and glared at Choa.
“Now then, who allowed a young child into the kitchen?”
Overwhelmed by Chun-ja’s intimidating presence, Bok-hee and Eonnyeon froze, unable to intervene.
“U-uh? I, I…”
Tears welled in Choa’s eyes, but she bit her lips tightly to hold them back.
“You must never come into the kitchen or play with the food again. Understood?”
Chun-ja’s tone was sharp, but Choa finally spoke up.
“I didn’t play with it.”
Dabbing her wet eyes with her small hands, she spoke resolutely:
“I was cooking!”
“Cooking…? You?”
Chun-ja, as well as Bok-hee and Eonnyeon, were momentarily speechless at Choa’s unexpected declaration.
“Yup! Father really liked the food I made! These are sweet snacks made from nurungji. Chun-ja, do you want me to make some for you too?”
Choa’s eyes widened as she offered the bowl in her hands, full of her nurungji candies.
‘…So that’s it.’
Chun-ja squinted and looked down at the small bowl.
“Nurungji candies. After the Lord fell ill, it was the first food he enjoyed. It must be considered the first one you made. Understood?”
These were the words Okdan Eomeom had said while giving Chun-ja a reward.
‘I thought the servants made it… but it was made by the baby?’
Chun-ja laughed scornfully at the tiny Choa.
‘That can’t be true.’
Choa frowned and pursed her lips at the blatant mockery.
“Why? You don’t like it?”
“This is a nurungji snack I created some time ago,” Chun-ja stated firmly.
Choa’s eyes widened.
“No, I made this!”
“It seems you’ve seen or heard about the snack I made before.”
“That’s not it…!”
“Lying is bad, Baby Choa. That was definitely my creation.”
Chun-ja’s cold certainty almost convinced Bok-hee and Eonnyeon.
“No, Chun-ja is lying! I made these nurungji candies! For Father!”
Choa clenched her small hands to her chest, swallowed back her tears, and spoke clearly:
“And I will keep making food for Father!”
“The Lord doesn’t need food made by you,” Chun-ja said sharply.
Choa’s eyes wavered.
“And furthermore,” Chun-ja continued, her sharp gaze piercing Choa, “if you keep lying and disobey, the Lord will come to dislike you.”
“…!”
A mix of injustice and hurt flashed in Choa’s round eyes.
Chun-ja silently signaled to Bok-hee and Eonnyeon.
‘Take her out.’
As they moved to act, Choa lifted her head quickly.
“No.”
Her small voice was firm. She straightened her neck and spoke with determination.
“Father clearly liked the food I made. So if I keep cooking, he will surely like it…”
“Baby Choa.”
Chun-ja cut her off decisively, letting out a faint sigh before delivering her icy words.
“No matter what you say, it won’t work.”
She scanned the kitchen with a sharp gaze.
“Anyway, this kitchen belongs to me from today.”
Then, looking down at Choa, she said firmly:
“Leave.”
“…!”
At that, Choa could not speak another word. Like a scolded puppy, her small shoulders slumped, and after hesitating, she carefully walked toward the door.
Thus, Choa was chased out of the kitchen, completely dejected.
That afternoon.
“Baby Choa, now that the new cook is here, you mustn’t go into the kitchen… You need to be careful.”
Since Choa was still young and lying down for a nap, Bok-hee covered her with a blanket while giving her strict instructions.
After Bok-hee left for work, Choa nodded obediently and closed her eyes, but a sense of sadness lingered, making it hard to fall asleep.
As night fell, the sounds of insects occasionally drifted from beneath the floorboards.
‘I can’t sleep!’
Eventually, Choa opened her eyes wide.
