As True as a Dream

The entrance to the arcade was crowded with cars and people arriving one by one.

 

When Hae-Joo got out of the car, she stood next to Yi Ho and looked around at the people who had come to the Governor General’s birthday party.

 

There were Koreans, Chinese, Japanese and Westerners, all dressed in different colors.

 

The only thing they all had in common was a strong chin and a steady gaze.

 

She couldn’t tell how important they were or if they were wealthy, but she could tell that the confidence in their demeanor was uncharacteristic.

 

Even though this was her first time in such a position, Hae-Joo was not too intimidated.

 

This was thanks to Yi Ho at her side.

 

His sense of presence was unparalleled among the grains of sand that would be thrown at him if he touched the wrong person.

 

Dressed in a long, flowing tailcoat and a distinctive fox mask, Yi Ho immediately commanded attention.

 

With him at her side, she became a shadow that didn’t matter if she was there or not.

 

With no one watching her, she could be more carefree.

 

And as she calmly surveyed her surroundings, she realized one thing.

 

Most of the eyes on her were not kind.

 “They don’t seem to like you very much.”

Hae-Joo whispered

 “I don’t really care.”

Yi Ho replied with a tone that said it didn’t matter.

 

Inwardly, Hae-Joo thought.

 

No matter how stuck up and arrogant someone is here, they’re no better than him.

 

Meanwhile, Yi Ho handed her a golden rosewood box.

 

It had been given to him by Song Yue’s staff when they got out of the car.

 

She clutched the not-so-large box with both hands, her fuzzy handbag on the copper next to her.

 “Is this the Governor General’s birthday present?” “Yes.” 

Yi Ho looked down at the furoshiki, the corners of his mouth pulled up in amusement.

 

Hae-Joo felt a shiver run down her spine.

 

If it is a gift, why does she get the feeling that what is inside is not so good.

 “You better be careful not to open the box,”

Yi Ho warns and takes the first step.

 

Hae-Joo shifts the furoshiki into one hand and grimaces.

 

This is definitely not good.

 

She held the furoshiki tied around the box tighter in her hand anyway.

 

***

 

At the entrance, the staff in charge of guiding them asked politely

 “You must be Mr. Ban Yi Ho of Song Yue Pavilion.” 

After he was led into the garden where the party was to be held, the people who had already come gathered around to greet him.

 “The gifts are kept over here. May I sign it as Mr. Ban Yi Ho?” 

A staff member asked after seeing the furoshiki in Hae-Joo’s hand.

 

Hae-Joo agreed and handed the furoshiki to the servant.

 

Yi Ho then scanned the garden and moved to the least populated area.

 

His movements attracted a lot of attention.

 

Hae-Joo admired Yi Ho’s back as he walked ahead.

 

Even if she was confident that she had a pretty thick skin, she would have felt nervous if people were staring at her like that.

 

But Yi Ho was really not looking at anything or anyone.

 

She was still relaxed and lazy, as if she were on a remote island.

 

But their peace was short-lived.

 

They were interrupted by a relatively young man, one of the many people watching him.

 “Aren’t you the owner of Song Yue Pavilion?” 

The man’s hostile gaze, crooked grin, and bossy tone made it clear that he didn’t come with good intentions.

 

“You’re so rarely seen, and now that the new governor has arrived, you show your face like this. I guess even the arrogant owner of Song Yue can’t help it when the sky changes.”

 

When Yi Ho stared at him without answering, the man smiled and held out his hand for a handshake.

 “I apologize for the delay in introducing myself. I am Tadakubo. My Korean name is Kim Injong, and my father owns the Pyeongchon Food Company.” “President Kim Kang-chil is your father?” 

Hae-Joo, who had been standing quietly to the side watching the situation, said in a low voice.

 

Then the eyes of the crowd, which had been focused on Yi Ho the whole time, turned to Hae-Joo.

 

Looking up and down at Hae Joo, who was smiling pleasantly, the race’s expression became flippant, unlike when she was dealing with Yi Ho.

 “And you are…?” “Do you happen to know how Ms. Ok Im-in is doing?” 

Pretending that she hadn’t heard the man’s question about who she was, Hae-Joo blurted out a strange name.

 

The man’s face stiffened when he heard the name “Ok Im-in”.

 “Last year, Mr. Kim Kang-chil got into a fight with the most beautiful woman in Bo-Kyung district, Ms. Ok Im-in. How easy is it to get such hot affection from one person? I’m so jealous of the same woman. I’m sure you two will be happy forever, right?” 

Hae-Joo asked enviously, telling him about a beautiful love story she had heard somewhere.

 

But in her heart, she would rather spit than receive such filthy affection.

 

***

 

Ok Im-in was an entertainer who had seen her once or twice because of her jewelry sales, and it could be said that Kim Kang-chil ruined her life.

 

Kim Kang-chil’s infatuation with Ok Im-in was only the beginning of his abandonment of his current wife, who had supported him all his life.

 

He clung to Ok Im-in paranoidly, and when she rejected his affections, he kidnapped her and imprisoned her in a fit of rage.

 

He paid a huge ransom for Ok Im-in, and the sordid crime was passed off as the love story of the century to spread rumors.

 

Those who traveled in and out of the city learned the truth from other entertainers.

 

But most people just thought that Ok Im-in had gotten rid of her miracle, married President Kim Kang-chil, and lived happily ever after.

 

I knew.

 “…How did you know about her?” 

Injong asked, his embarrassment clearly visible on his face.

 

Hae-Joo said with a still innocent face.

 “You know that Miss Ok Im-in’s kayageum playing is famous in Gyeongseong, and I’m very fond of it too… Oh?” 

Hae-Joo’s eyes widened and she looked at the jacket somewhere on Injong’s back in surprise.

 “Mister, is that…?” 

Hae-Joo reached out and lightly touched Injong’s shoulder.

 “Isn’t that a little out of place?” “What?” “Bugs. Some bugs.” 

Hae-Joo spoke again, and Injong’s face turned blue as he looked at his shoulder.

 “It’s not just on your shoulder, is it?” 

As Hae-Joo moved away from In-jong, looking somewhat uncomfortable, she heard a few giggles from the people around her who were watching.

 

A red-faced Injong muttered an expletive and took off his jacket.

 

As he began to shake it off, the women nearby screamed.

 

His face turning even more leaden, Injong stormed out of the room, shedding tears that had nowhere to go.

 

Swallowing hard, Hae-Joo turned back to Yi Ho’s side and stood stiffly.

 

Pressing the corner of her mouth that was on the verge of opening, Hae-Joo opened her bag slightly to reveal a glass vial.

 “Is this what you mean by prepared?” 

Closing the bag and holding it at her side, Hae-Joo nodded slightly.

 

The hand she’d put on Injong’s shoulder, pretending to find a bug, had actually been there.

 

Ever since Injong had called her “Snooty Song Yue”, Hae-Joo had been sneaking two bugs out of her purse and holding them in her hand.

 “No matter how good I am, how can I stop all those people who bother you, boss? Those people, no matter how bad they are, they play one note from the horn, and if I touch them wrong, my head will fly off. I have no money and no background, so how can I face them?” 

Hae-Joo leaned slightly toward Yi Ho, lowering her voice and speaking quickly.

 “Hahaha, is that why you were holding the bug in your hand? Don’t you usually hate looking at disgusting things?” 

Hae-Joo’s ears tingled.

 

It was his merry laugh that rang in her ears.

 

She could tell by the sound of his voice that he was enjoying himself.

 “It’s not like they can kill you.” 

Hae-Joo stood up straight and rubbed her hands over her ears, which were overheated by Yi Ho again.

 “Good.” 

Hae-Joo lifted her face to look up at Yi Ho, wondering if she’d heard wrong.

 

His lips curled in excitement and the smile on his face spoke volumes.

 

When their eyes met, he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back toward her.

 

His eyes locked with hers as he smiled in a way she couldn’t quite comprehend.

 “You can touch them in the wrong place. I won’t let them blow your head off.” “What?”Visit my Ko-fi for discounted advance chapters!!