At fourteen, Hong Haein entered her second year of middle school with an air of authority that only deepened her reputation as the 'Ice Queen.' Her intelligence and cold demeanor made her a subject of admiration and fear among her peers, but also of growing isolation. Her relationship with her family, particularly Soo-cheol, became more fractured than ever, with unspoken battles playing out in the silence of their household. This year would test Haein in new ways, as she faced challenges that went beyond academics—ones that would force her to confront her inner loneliness, whether she wanted to or not.
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The Contest Continues
Haein had always been competitive, though she would never admit it. Everything she did was precise, calculated—never out of a need to beat others, but because she expected perfection from herself. Yet, despite her natural abilities, there was always a lingering tension between her and Soo-cheol. Her younger brother's jealousy and insecurities continued to poison their interactions, and the gap between them widened every day.
It had been months since their last direct confrontation, but the air at home remained thick with unspoken resentment. Soo-cheol, two years younger than Haein, was now determined to beat her in something—anything. He had fallen behind in school, frustrated by his inability to keep up with her achievements. His frustration festered in the form of taunts and snide remarks, but Haein, as usual, remained unmoved.
At school, Haein thrived. Her teachers were constantly praising her intellect, her classmates admired her from a distance, and yet, she had no friends. She never allowed anyone close enough to breach the walls she had built around herself. She didn’t need anyone. Or at least, that’s what she told herself.
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The School Festival
The school festival was the biggest event of the year, something every student looked forward to. For Haein, it was just another day to endure. Her class had been assigned to perform a group project in front of the entire school—a math demonstration, where each student would present a complex problem they had solved.
Haein had, of course, been chosen as the leader of her group. Her skills in mathematics were unparalleled, and everyone knew it. As she stood on stage, effortlessly solving equation after equation, she felt the familiar surge of satisfaction. This was where she excelled, where she could lose herself in the comfort of numbers and logic. There was no room for emotion here—only precision.
But as she looked out into the audience, she saw the empty seats where her parents should have been. Her mother had been too busy with work, her father uninterested. She had long ago stopped expecting them to show up for these events, but the sight still stung. It was a reminder of her place in the world—alone, no matter how much she achieved.
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Soo-cheol’s Outburst
Later that evening, the family gathered for dinner, a rare occurrence. Haein sat silently, as usual, picking at her food while her mother and father discussed business. Soo-cheol, sitting across from her, seemed unusually agitated.
“You think you’re so great, don’t you?” Soo-cheol muttered, loud enough for only Haein to hear. She didn’t respond, keeping her gaze focused on her plate. But he wasn’t finished.
“You think just because you’re good at school, everyone cares about you. But no one does, Haein. Not even them.” He gestured to their parents, who were too engrossed in their conversation to notice.
Haein’s grip on her fork tightened, but she refused to look at him. She wasn’t going to let him get to her. Not again.
“Everyone at school talks about how perfect you are. They don’t know what a freak you really are,” Soo-cheol sneered. “You’re not even human, Haein. You’re just a machine.”
Finally, Haein looked up, her eyes meeting his with a cold intensity. “Jealousy doesn’t suit you, Soo-cheol.”
Her voice was calm, measured, but it cut deep. Soo-cheol’s face flushed with anger, and before anyone could react, he stood up abruptly, knocking his chair to the ground.
“You’re nothing!” he shouted, storming out of the dining room. Their parents glanced up briefly, then resumed their conversation as if nothing had happened.
Haein sat back in her chair, her expression unreadable. It wasn’t the first time Soo-cheol had lashed out like this, and it wouldn’t be the last. But each outburst only served to push them further apart, solidifying the unspoken war between them.
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The Ice Grows Colder
As the year went on, Haein became even more distant. She no longer bothered trying to connect with her family, accepting that they would never see her for who she was. Her focus remained on her studies, on perfecting the one thing she could control: herself.
At school, her icy demeanor became legendary. No one dared approach her for anything other than academic matters, and even then, they kept their distance. Haein had become a master at hiding her emotions, but there were moments—brief, fleeting moments—when the loneliness crept in.
One afternoon, after a particularly long day at school, Haein sat in her room, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She looked perfect, as always. Her hair was neatly tied back, her uniform immaculate. But as she gazed into her own eyes, she saw the cracks beneath the surface. The exhaustion. The emptiness.
She blinked, and the moment passed. There was no time for self-pity. She had work to do.
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A Small Victory for Soo-cheol
The tension between Haein and Soo-cheol reached its peak at the end of the school year. Both had participated in different competitions, and although Haein had, as usual, placed first, Soo-cheol had finally achieved something that earned him praise.
He had won third place in a regional science fair, and their parents—desperate to celebrate something, anything—threw him a party. It wasn’t a grand affair, just a family dinner, but it was more recognition than Haein had ever received.
Sitting at the dinner table, watching her parents praise Soo-cheol for his efforts, Haein felt something she hadn’t allowed herself to feel in a long time: resentment. She had always been the best, the one who brought home trophies and certificates, but no one had ever thrown her a party. No one had ever cared.
But she didn’t let it show. Instead, she smiled politely, congratulating Soo-cheol on his success. Inside, though, she vowed to never let herself be hurt by their indifference again. If they wouldn’t acknowledge her achievements, she would make sure the world did.
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The Quiet Resolve
By the end of her fourteenth year, Haein had fully embraced her role as the Ice Queen. She no longer cared about what her family thought or didn’t think of her. She had stopped trying to earn their love or approval. They had nothing to offer her, and she had nothing left to give.
Her focus was now solely on herself—on becoming the best, not just in school but in everything she did. If she couldn’t have love, she would have power. If she couldn’t have approval, she would have success.
And so, as Haein looked toward her future, she did so with a quiet, icy resolve. She would carve her own path, no matter how cold or lonely it might be.
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Solstice in Grandeur
Altele"Solstice in Grandeur" follows Hong Haein, the daughter of Asia's richest family, whose life of opulence is marred by isolation and emotional distance. Despite living in luxury, she is emotionally neglected by her constantly absent parents and strug...
