As soon as dawn broke, Yu-jin got out of bed and moved about busily. After cleaning the entire house, taking a shower, and carefully selecting his clothes, he slicked his hair back with pomade. Just as he was fixing it in place, the doorbell rang.
“Hello!”
His voice naturally rose with tension. The servant who had come to deliver his food frowned slightly, looking puzzled, but said nothing. As usual, they handed over the basket filled with a day’s worth of meals and asked the standard question.
“Do you need anything?”
Requests made at times like this were usually granted. But the most Yu-jin ever asked for were things like books or replacement cleaning supplies when his old ones were too worn out. The servant probably expected a similar request today. However, Yu-jin had something special in mind this time.
“May I meet Madam Campbell?”
“……What?”
The servant didn’t react immediately. There was a brief pause before they leaned in slightly and asked again. Yu-jin almost lost his nerve at that moment but managed to muster the courage to repeat himself.
“I’d like to meet Madam Campbell. Right now.”
“You can’t. She’s busy. You need an appointment to see her.”
It was more or less the response he had expected. Yu-jin hesitated for a moment before trying again.
“Then, if I were to make an appointment, when would it be possible?”
“I can’t say. You’d have to check with Madam Campbell’s secretary.”
The curt reply didn’t sound very promising. Yu-jin bit his lip, then spoke once more.
“Then… could you make an appointment for me?”
“……Haah.”
This time, the servant sighed deeply before answering. Yu-jin felt like he was about to go insane from anxiety, but he stood his ground, forcing himself to wait for a response.
“……Fine. I’ll arrange it for you.”
“Th-Thank you!”
He finally let out a breath of relief and bowed in gratitude, but the servant didn’t reply. They simply turned around and walked away.
Yu-jin watched their retreating figure before closing the front door, as he always did, and setting the basket down on the table.
She might ignore me.
He sat down on a chair, staring blankly ahead as the thought crossed his mind. If that happened, there would be only one option left. Harold had visited yesterday, so he wouldn’t be back until next month. That meant there was still time.
Taking a deep breath, Yu-jin exhaled slowly before moving with extra care as he prepared breakfast. The day passed just like any other.
***
Ten days had gone by, yet there was still no word.
Marking an X on the calendar, Yu-jin decided today would be the day. Determined, he put extra effort into choosing clean, presentable clothes and carefully prepared himself to greet the servant.
“Does Madam Campbell still not have time to see me?”
As usual, the servant asked if he needed anything. When Yu-jin finally voiced his prepared request, the servant hesitated slightly before responding with an expressionless face.
“If she has time, you’ll be informed. Just wait.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Yu-jin answered obediently, but he wasn’t a fool. After quietly seeing the servant off, he set the basket down on the table and took a deep breath. He counted to sixty in his head before finally opening the front door—but by then, the servant had already disappeared from view.
They definitely didn’t even tell Madam Campbell.
Determined, Yu-jin stepped out of the annex and headed straight toward the main house. The massive estate had always been in his line of sight, but this was his first time actually approaching it. From the moment he first asked to make an appointment with Madam Campbell, he had already made up his mind. She was the only one who could intervene.
If it’s her, she’ll help me.
Yu-jin held a vague admiration for Madam Campbell, even though he had never met her. The magazines and newspapers he had occasionally read showed her hosting charity events, making donations, and visiting hospitals to comfort sick children. Because of that, he firmly believed that she was a good person—someone who would willingly help a child in need. Surely, if she heard about his situation, she would step in. If nothing else, she would at least suggest an alternative.
Though his memories were hazy, Yu-jin recalled that his parents had a loving relationship. His mother and father always respected each other’s opinions and truly listened when the other spoke. The photos he had seen of the Campbell couple in the media gave off the same impression—they appeared warm and affectionate toward each other. Because of that, he was convinced that their relationship must be similar to that of his own parents.
If Madam Campbell speaks to Harold, he’ll stop.
He had already pleaded with Harold himself, but instead of stopping, he had only been scolded. The only option left was to appeal to Harold’s wife. She would surely help. Yu-jin wholeheartedly believed that.
Haa, haa.
By the time he finally reached the mansion, he was panting, his shoulders rising and falling with each breath. The estate looked enormous to the eye, but no matter how much he walked, it felt like he wasn’t getting any closer. Now that he had arrived, his legs felt like they would give out beneath him.
Get a grip.
After coming all this way, he couldn’t afford to falter now. Just as he straightened his posture and steeled himself, he saw a woman step out from behind the mansion’s grand entrance.
It was Madam Campbell.
Yu-jin’s eyes widened in shock. How could he be this lucky? His heart pounded in his chest, nearly bursting from exhilaration.
But this wasn’t the time to get emotional. Mustering the last of his strength, he ran toward her.
“Madam… Madam Campbell!”
At the urgent cry, she froze just as she was about to step into a waiting car. Turning her gaze toward him, she frowned.
The moment Yu-jin saw the crease in her brow, fear gripped him. But he swallowed hard and forced himself to speak.
“I-I’m sorry for the sudden interruption… My name is Yu-jin Seol. I live in the annex…”
Her expression instantly went blank. The way she stared at him was much colder than in the photos he had seen.
Yu-jin flinched instinctively, his shoulders shrinking under the weight of her chilling gaze.
stopped. Yu-jin stood frozen, unable to move, like a frog before a snake. Just then, the butler standing behind Madam Campbell stepped forward.
“Apologies, Madam. I’ll take care of this.”
His words were devoid of any regard, as if he were speaking about an object. He grabbed Yu-jin’s arm and signaled to the other servants with a flick of his fingers.
A surge of panic shot through Yu-jin. If he was dragged away now, he might never get another chance. Desperation took hold, and he cried out.
“M-Madam, I’m sorry! But please, I beg you! Stop Harold—make him stop what he’s doing to me!”
As Madam Campbell moved to enter the car, his urgent plea made her pause once more. She slowly turned her head, a deep furrow forming between her brows. Clinging to his last hope, Yu-jin continued to plead.
“Harold comes to me, I… I told him no, but… Please, make him stop… He won’t listen to me. But if you say something…”
Yu-jin was being dragged back by the servants, their grip firm on his arms, but he kept shouting, desperate not to let this moment slip away. Please, Madam Campbell!
His throat burned from screaming, but suddenly, the hands restraining him stilled. Yu-jin, who had been struggling with all his might, gasped for breath and looked up.
Madam Campbell was standing there, watching him. She had stopped the servants.
Expressionless, she lifted a hand in a small gesture. The servants immediately released him and stepped back.
Yu-jin stood rooted to the spot, staring as she slowly walked toward him. His heartbeat pounded violently in his ears. But her expression was nothing like what he had imagined. Instead of sympathy or concern, her cold gaze carried something far more terrifying—flickers of rage.
“So,” she said at last, standing before him.
A shiver ran down Yu-jin’s spine, and his whole body began to tremble.
Madam Campbell looked down at him and continued, her voice chillingly steady.
“What exactly are you saying Harold did to you?”
Yu-jin couldn’t answer immediately. His lips parted, but no sound came out. He swallowed dryly before finally forcing himself to speak.
“He stripped my clothes and—ah!”
A sharp slap struck his cheek without warning. His vision flashed white, and his body staggered. He nearly collapsed, but barely managed to steady himself.
Madam Campbell’s voice came again.
“Say it again.”
“I… I…”
Yu-jin clutched his burning cheek with both hands, stammering. He felt like crying, but he was too terrified to let the tears fall.
She pressed him further.
“I said, say it. What did Harold do?”
“H-he stripped me and—ah!”
This time, the slap landed on the other cheek. Yu-jin lost his balance completely and crashed to the ground. The servants immediately hauled him back up.
“Say it again.”
“M-Madam…”
“Now!”
Before he could even respond, she struck him once more.
Over and over, she slapped him—alternating between his cheeks.
Only after more than ten blows did she finally stop.
The moment she stopped hitting him, the servants immediately released their grip. Yu-jin collapsed to the ground, unable to hold himself up.
Madam Campbell looked down at him and spoke.
“If that’s your job, then shut up and do as you’re told. How dare you come to the main house?”
She spat the words out with venom before literally spitting at him.
“Filthy thing.”
Then, without hesitation, she turned and walked away.
Yu-jin remained where he had fallen, watching in silence as she stepped into the car and drove off. The pain in his cheeks began to sting, and the metallic taste of blood filled his mouth.
No one spoke to him. No one even acknowledged his existence. They simply resumed their work, as if he weren’t even there.
For a long while, Yu-jin sat there, dazed. Eventually, he forced himself to stand, swaying unsteadily.
He didn’t remember how he made it back to the annex. It was only after washing himself and lying down in bed that reality sank in.
“Huuh….”
That was when the tears came. He sobbed, loudly, without restraint.
It was fine now. He could cry as much as he wanted.
Because he was alone.
“Haaaah…”
Yu-jin wept and wept.
There was no hope.
No one would help him.
So he gave up on everything.
And time passed mercilessly, bringing him closer to the day Harold would return.
***
Haaah…
Yu-jin tossed and turned again.
He had made it through another day.
But tomorrow—tomorrow, it might finally happen.
As Harold’s return drew closer, Yu-jin could hardly sleep. The thought of how much stronger his pheromones might have become gnawed at him, making it difficult to even eat.
How can I stop my heat cycle?
If only he could delay it. Just by a day. Just for a few days.
Is there a way to make Harold forget about me?
That thought consumed him. The anxiety ate away at him until he felt like he was going insane.
He must have dozed off at some point. But then—
Knock, knock.
A sharp sound against the front door startled him awake. His eyes flew open, his entire body tensing.
…What…?
Through the open window, a faint scent drifted in.
His breath caught in his throat.
That scent—
An unbearably sweet, intoxicating fragrance.
Harold’s pheromones.
Yu-jin nearly tumbled out of bed.
How? Why?
Harold always sent a servant ahead of time. He had never shown up at this hour before.
Did he plan something tonight? Is that why he came so suddenly? What do I do? What do I do?
Panic surged in his chest. Tears welled up in his eyes.
And then—
From outside the window, a voice called out.
“Yu-jin, Yu-jin! Are you awake?”
…What?
The unexpected voice froze him in place.
