For some reason, I hadn’t been able to turn on the lights for the past few days. No matter how many times I flipped the switch, the lights remained dead. Instead, the butler retrieved a gas lamp that had been stowed away in the storage room.
Seeing that others in the mansion had also started using gas lamps instead of electric lights, I was certain that this investigation was related to electricity.
But there was no one I could ask about it. The butler was too busy decorating and organizing the mansion, and Se-yul was occupied with inspecting the factories within the district.
That didn’t mean I wanted to go to Han Jae-hoon for answers either, so I could only guess that this situation was quite serious. Most likely, the peace of the past eight years had finally come to an end.
As time passed, the day of an unwelcome visitor’s arrival drew near. From early morning, the entire mansion was already in motion, though the atmosphere was heavier than usual. Everyone was tense.
Han Jae-hoon had spent the last few days reviewing documents without sleep and had ended up falling ill. He had overworked himself without considering his age, and according to the physician, he had received quite the scolding for it.
In the end, with Han Jae-hoon bedridden, Se-yul was left to oversee the situation. That included not only welcoming the investigator who was set to arrive soon but also handling the week-long schedule that would follow.
Without any warning, the responsibilities of the next district leader had officially begun.
“Hyung, do I look okay?”
Se-yul, standing in front of the mirror and examining his reflection, turned to me. I set down the cigarette I had been smoking and carefully looked him over.
If we had more time, we could have tailored a uniform to fit Se-yul properly. Unfortunately, the investigator’s visit had been so abrupt that he had no choice but to wear Han Jae-hoon’s uniform.
Fortunately, their builds were similar, so there wasn’t a huge difference in fit. Clad in the jet-black uniform, with his hair neatly swept back, Se-yul bore a striking resemblance to Han Jae-hoon.
At least in terms of aura.
“It suits you.”
At the words he had been waiting for, Se-yul’s tense expression finally relaxed. As if still unused to having his hair slicked back, he raised a hand to touch his exposed forehead and murmured,
“I’m nervous.”
I stubbed out my cigarette in the ashtray and stepped toward him. I straightened his slightly crooked shirt collar and gave his shoulder a light pat.
“You’ll do fine.”
From now on, he would truly be acting under the name of the next district leader. Se-yul wasn’t just worried about making mistakes—he was outright afraid.
I knew there was no way he wouldn’t be nervous, but all I could do was stand by his side and offer my support.
Whether that actually helped him or not, I wasn’t sure.
“You know, right? If I make a big mistake this time, hyung, you’ll have to take over as the next district leader again.”
“For that to happen, you’d have to make a mistake.”
“Why are you so sure that I won’t?”
“Because I know you’ll do well.”
I took Se-yul’s hand and gave him my sincerest support. He smiled faintly before spreading his arms wide and pulling me into a tight hug. Perhaps it was because of the faint scent lingering in the uniform, but for a moment, it felt like I was being held by Han Jae-hoon instead.
The embrace, filled with the floral fragrance that Han Seo-yul’s mother had adored so much, faded as he pulled away. Forcing my expression back to normal to mask my discomfort, I met Se-yul’s gaze.
“Shall we go?”
“You go ahead. I’ll finish getting ready and follow.”
Sending Se-yul ahead, I was left alone in the room. I took out the half-smoked cigarette and placed it back between my lips. Staring at the ember slowly eating away at the end, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror.
Despite working through two sleepless nights, my complexion looked even worse than the others. It was because of the sudden fever that had flared up at dawn, though it had subsided now.
I could only hope I’d be fine today. I planned to avoid unnecessary encounters with the investigator as much as possible, aside from the initial greeting and the mealtime. But with my body as frail as a glass fish, there was no telling when it might act up again.
‘Should I take another one in advance?’
After some deliberation, I pulled out a pill from my pocket. The doctor had advised taking only one per day, but today was important—one extra dose shouldn’t hurt. I couldn’t afford to be burning up in front of the investigator.
I placed the pill on my tongue and swallowed it dry. When I had a fever, the effect kicked in immediately, but since I felt fine now, I didn’t notice any change.
Finishing my cigarette, I stood before the mirror and adjusted my clothes. There was no official confirmation on who the investigator from the 1st Sector would be, but according to Se-yul, it was highly likely that Joshua Shining would be the one to come.
Joshua Shining was said to be an exact replica of the worst traits of the 1st Sector’s leader—capricious, manipulative, and treating people like playthings. If he was indeed the investigator, Se-yul was going to have a hard time.
I wished someone else would come instead…
“No way.”
I shook my head quickly, erasing the thought from my mind. Even if Joshua Shining wasn’t the investigator, there was no chance that the person in my head would be the one to show up. No, they absolutely shouldn’t be here.
—I like you.
The memory I could never forget began tormenting me again. My vision wavered, and I clenched my fists tightly, forcing my eyes shut.
It was a good thing I took the pill beforehand. Otherwise, I’d be burning up again.
“Young Master, it’s time to go downstairs.”
The butler called for me as he stepped into the room. I opened my eyes and followed him out.
Descending the long staircase, I spotted Se-yul, who had arrived earlier.
“When are they getting here?”
“Soon. They passed through the main gate a while ago.”
The moment Se-yul finished speaking, the car from the 1st Sector came into view in the distance. Taking a step back, I watched as the black vehicle approached.
I gave Se-yul a light pat on his tense back. He turned around and forced a small smile. “Don’t be nervous,” I mouthed, and he gave a slight nod.
There were three cars in total, gradually slowing as they approached. Compared to the vehicles in the 5th Sector, these were far more luxurious. The front of each car bore the emblem of the 1st Sector—the Moon of Humanity.
As soon as the cars came to a halt, their doors opened simultaneously. First to step out were men dressed in black suits. Likely bodyguards, they swiftly positioned themselves. While they secured their posts, we finished preparing to welcome the investigator, who would reveal themselves at any moment.
A heavy silence blanketed the scene—no one dared to speak first. And then, finally, the one we had all been waiting for stepped out.
Long legs touched the ground first, followed by a head of red hair, which had been hidden in the shadows, now set ablaze under the sunlight. As expected, it was a Shining.
“Welcome.”
Se-yul stepped forward, greeting the investigator with polite enthusiasm. He was standing in my line of sight, blocking my view of the man’s face, but there was no doubt—it was a Shining. That fiery hair was proof enough.
Was it Joshua Shining, the one Se-yul had mentioned? Then again, the 1st Sector’s leader had over fifty children. It could have been any one of them. Just as I was considering the possibility, a deep, velvety voice brushed against my ears.
“With such a warm welcome, I hardly know what to do with myself.”
At the sound of his voice, I instinctively bowed my head. I didn’t understand why. My heart began to pound erratically, as if sensing an impending danger.
‘That’s impossible.’
I couldn’t bring myself to lift my head. A war raged within me—the urge to confirm my unease and the desperate wish to avoid it clashed violently.
The investigator, casually conversing with Se-yul, began walking toward the mansion. With every approaching step, my shoulders flinched involuntarily.
I felt it when he stopped in front of me. I knew I had to lift my head and greet him, but my body refused to move.
Frozen in place, I was suddenly hit by a familiar scent carried on the wind. My eyes, which had been fixed on the ground, trembled violently.
Even in my dreams, I had never been able to forget this scent. It was the fragrance of a small flower that waited its entire life for the moon to rise—the scent of evening primrose.
Slowly, I raised my head to see the one standing before me.
“!!!”
His crimson hair, which had been muted in the shadows, now burned brilliantly under the sunlight. The striking vibrancy nearly ensnared my senses, but I held myself together, barely managing to meet his unwavering ruby eyes.
His lips curved into a gentle arc, tinted like flower petals steeped in dye. His once soft, boyish cheeks had lost their youthful roundness, leaving behind a sharper, more refined elegance. A faint blush, the same shade as his hair, colored his pale skin.
A hand reached out and took mine. His touch was cold—colder than most. A shiver ran down my spine.
Then, lowering his head slightly, he pressed a kiss to the back of my hand, his voice like the whisper of a spring breeze.
“It’s been a long time, Seo-yul hyung.”
The disaster I had once let go had returned.
