The Love They Never Had: The Nam Mansion

Part 1: Revival- Chapter 1: Yeopa (Aftermath)

Seo Hwi was heavy on my mind as he always was since I had met him, especially just now after the recent events that just took place between us. I thought that I had known misery before when my brother died and I was accused of being responsible for it by strangers who didn't know me from Adam. But I did what I had to do to survive, and not just for myself. I knew that he would hate me when he found out what had happened to his precious sister who was also som eone dear in my heart, although I could never express it due to her overexciting and very obvious crush that she had on me. I knew that he would hate me when...if I found him on the battleground in Liadong after all the weeks that I had sent him away. But it was for his own good, and I hoped that he knew that. He was my only friend, the only person to let me into his life and even went as far enough to trust me around his baby sister. I had no idea just how I was going to make up for the mess that I had unwittingly landed all of us in, but for now, the least that I could do was to look after Yeon for him as if she was my own...sister.

I had no idea why, but I had started to hesitate a little every-time I thought about Yeon...but it wasn't in a bad way. I think. I usually spent my days with Hwi and I was only around Yeon when he brought her out, but I had never been left on my own with her. Unfortunately, her epilepsy had left her introverted, awkward and almost too naive, even at the age of 16. She wasn't growing up like other women were at her age and I had no idea why but it was't any of my business to pry. But nevertheless, she was a sweet girl who always had a smile on her face even though she was constantly suffering, and I had to admit that overtime I had developed a soft spot for her since she always did everything to make us happy. She was innocent and pure and she had no fault other than her disorder and was the only person I knew that didn't strive for materialistic wealth. There wasn't a hint of resentment, despair or greed in her eyes at all and I really hoped that she would stay that way for the rest of her life.

And speaking of Yeon, I actually hadn't seen much of her since she woke up in my room after her fit. I had already told her everything that she needed to know, but where was she now? Was she settling in ok? Were the servants treating her properly? Was my father ripping her apart? Goodness gracious, I had never had to worry about anyone in this home other than myself and now here I was, almost developing anxiety over someone who was always a part of my world outside this place. Neither her or her brother was ever supposed to set foot here and it wasn't because of our class differences. Seo Hwi had already gotten a taste of my father, but someone as delicate as Yeon should never cross paths with him unless she was brought before him. It was also the month of November and it was freezing cold outside and I was worried that I would aggravate her epileptic condition. I know that my father's condition for letting me house Yeon was that I could never approach her and carry on our previous relationship that she couldn't even remember. I have never had to worry about this girl before but now that there was every chance that she could run into my father and do something that would get her into trouble, I had to admit that she was all I could think about when I wasn't trying to remember my last moments with her brother.

My father was currently at the palace anyways, so there was nothing stopping me from at least taking a peek at her to see how she was settling in so far. So I had the servants pack up some more supplies for her as I made my way to my mother's quarters with my heart dropping to my feet with each step that I took. I hadn't set foot in these quarters since the passing of my mother and I almost threw up as soon as I got near the door if I hadn't heard Yeon conversing with my own personal servant that my father assigned to me.

"...I wish that we had plum trees and cypresses in the courtyard, it would look much livelier when it starts to snow." "Um..." "or we can put up paper-cuts onto the windows until then, I do not think that the Lord Nam will grant me any seasonal decorations anytime soon."