How could Jeong Taeui possibly deliver himself to the tiger’s mouth after confidently telling Ilay that he would leave? No, even if he had come and known that he was here, the moment he heard that Rita had informed Ilay of his outing, he would have immediately fled from here.

Jeong Taeui felt a bit breathless, his shoulders shaking as he took a deep breath. Christoph, beside him, asked.

“Are you crying?”

“I AM NOT!!!!”

Jeong Taeui yelled back.

He has been here since two months ago?

So that means he’s been here all this time since he left home.

From the very start, when he saw Richard here, Jeong Taeui should have immediately asked what task he had entrusted to Ilay.

“…….Why is he here?”

“Because it’s almost time to decide the successor.”

Jeong Taeui raised his head and looked at Christoph, who had given up the fight, and sharply asked.

“What does that mean?”

“The head will soon step back, so it’s time to decide the successor of Tarten. More than two decades have passed since the competition began. The decision of the successor among the candidates needs to be reviewed by the Riegrow family, who have been long-time allies of Tarten. Although their influence isn’t substantial, tradition is tradition.”

“What a strange thing. Would he really take on such a troublesome and complicated matter? And it’s not even his own family’s business?”

“Yes, initially, I thought Kyle would come, or at least Helena from the US, but it turned out to be him. Quite surprising…”

Christoph said, then fell silent, staring into the distance. He interlaced his fingers and pondered for a moment before glancing at Jeong Taeui.

“?”

“….….”

Jeong Taeui felt suspicious under that silent gaze. Christoph immediately averted his eyes.

Something was definitely off. Jeong Taeui squinted, leaning towards Christoph. If you want to say something, just say it. Jeong Taeui’s sharp gaze silently urged Christoph.

Christoph thought for a moment, then finally opened his mouth.

“But.”

“Huh?”

“Did you offend him? Why are you making such a fuss? You didn’t know he was here, but even if you met, why think so much about it?”

This time, Jeong Taeui fell silent. Christoph, sitting on the chair, leaned down to look at Jeong Taeui, who was sitting on the floor. He stared straight into Jeong Taeui’s eyes and continued to ask.

“Did you steal the book that madman likes?”

“Do I look like you!?!”

“Or….. Ah, I see…”

Suddenly, Christoph muttered as if he had just thought of something. Jeong Taeui looked nervously at his mouth, wondering what he was going to say next. His lips curved into a vague smile. Though not like the familiar smiles, it still looked like a smile.

“Right. Now that I think about it, you did say that. Past life karma…. Did you run away from your past life’s karma and get caught again…?”

“I didn’t run away!”

Jeong Taeui replied dejectedly. Christoph muttered ‘Really?’ as if he understood, his eyes and mouth curving up.

Seeing that delicate face, Jeong Taeui suddenly had another thought.

He really doesn’t know how to smile properly.

Even a mocking smile seems difficult to express.

“…..You…..”

Jeong Taeui stared at Christoph’s lips. He wanted to reach out and lift the corners of his mouth. But as soon as Jeong Taeui reached out, Christoph frowned and sat up straight.

Jeong Taeui, embarrassed, rubbed his own lips with his finger. Christoph stood up from the chair with a smile. He took out a book placed sideways on the bookshelf next to him, glanced at the title, stepped over to the opposite bookshelf, and put it back in place, shrugging.

“You don’t need to worry so much. Look, after returning to Berlin, I don’t know, but at least while he’s here, that madman can’t do anything to you.”

Christoph took out another book next to the one he had just replaced, frowned, and placed it back on the front shelf, complaining coldly, ‘You misplaced it, this one is about philosophy.’

Jeong Taeui was silent for a moment. Clearly, he could rearrange them more effectively and quickly, but instead of focusing on that, he was more concerned about Christoph’s previous statement about why Ilay couldn’t do anything to him while here.

Christoph looked seriously at Jeong Taeui, who was in deep thought. That gaze seemed to understand everything.

Jeong Taeui closed his mouth, took a deep breath, then slowly opened his mouth again. He thought he should first address the most suspicious question.

“Why only ‘while here’? Is this place monitored?”

But Ilay wouldn’t care about any prying eyes when he wanted to do something.

Jeong Taeui wondered, looking at Christoph. He continued to take out the books Jeong Taeui had misplaced and rearranged them.

“Because now you are with me, and he is with Richard.”

“….Huh?”

Christoph clicked his tongue, annoyed, and forcefully placed a book back into its correct position.

“Here, whether you like it or not, you belong to my side. Don’t you?”

Christoph briefly glanced at Jeong Taeui when saying the last part. Jeong Taeui shrugged and replied.

“I’ve said I’m not suited for these factional things.”

However, what he said wasn’t wrong. Jeong Taeui was indeed on Christoph’s side in this house. Though he wanted to remain neutral, the others didn’t seem to think so.

“So Ilay is on Richard’s side?”

Jeong Taeui said, thinking of Ilay, feeling it was a bit unreasonable. But it seemed like he had a close conversation with Richard.

“He isn’t someone who would choose to support any faction.”

From what Jeong Taeui knew, Ilay Riegrow only supported himself. He always acted according to his own will and judgment for his benefit.

“Rick is in a neutral position. He can’t lean towards anyone as long as he’s here to decide the successor.”

Christoph shook his head and interrupted him.

“I heard he’s staying with Richard.”

“Yes. But Richard is just one of the candidates for the successor…. That means he has to be fair to all members and those around them.”

Christoph took out a book hidden from view, tapped it lightly with one hand, and looked at Jeong Taeui, who was staring at him. Jeong Taeui slowly nodded.

“If that’s the case…. So because I’m on your side, he can’t hastily touch me, right?”

Though he still had doubts about whether Ilay wouldn’t really do that, Jeong Taeui hoped it was true. He lowered his head, then looked up.

“But can you decide the successor? No matter how close the two families are, it sounds absurd. Tarten and Riegrow.”

“Huh? Oh, not that. Ten people have the decision-making power. One person alone can’t decide who will inherit this huge kingdom. That’s right, even if not all ten will give fair opinions.”

Christoph waved his hand. Precisely, the book in his hand.

“Among the ten, only two aren’t related by blood to us. So, in terms of overall ratio, their decision doesn’t have much weight. I said, by tradition, it needs Riegrow’s approval. Whether it’s Kyle, Helena, or Mr. and Mrs. Riegrow, as long as it’s someone from the direct line.”

“Probably no one guessed Rick would come.”

Christoph laughed and added. Jeong Taeui sighed.

“Anyway, while Rick is here, he can’t do anything to you because he has to maintain his neutrality. Of course, he can’t help you either.”

“Help? What could he possibly do to help me here?”

“Maybe some trivial things, like getting those books someone at Tarten needs to return.”

“….Oh.”

That’s right. Jeong Taeui just remembered that and nodded blankly.

Who knows if Christoph would return the books if Ilay directly intervened. But if they were Kyle’s books, Ilay probably wouldn’t get involved. Even so, Jeong Taeui felt a bit regretful about losing the chance to easily retrieve the books. He clicked his tongue.

Then, as if remembering something, he stared at Christoph and said.

“But what is this? There aren’t any books here.”

He had sweated all afternoon, searching through the library for Kyle’s books, but couldn’t find any trace.

“No books? What do you think fills this room?”

Christoph exhaled and thumbed over his shoulder. Countless bookshelves holding a treasure trove of books.

“But no Kyle’s books.”

“Kyle’s books? If it’s those, I’ve kept them elsewhere. They need to be carefully preserved. The temperature and humidity must be adjusted, and even the light should be considered. Such books can’t be left here casually…. Are you sure you want to take those books back in perfect condition?”

Christoph looked at Jeong Taeui with deep concern.

No, you’re the one making everything complicated with your words.

“Stop talking nonsense and give me back the books. I need to go home as soon as possible…!!!!!!!!”

“Go home as soon as possible? Why?”

Christoph looked at him curiously. Jeong Taeui opened his mouth but couldn’t say a word, just blinking. Right, thinking back, there was no reason to rush home now. He had already confronted the man he most wanted to avoid. His body felt drained.

“……..”

Christoph looked at him puzzled, repeatedly asking: “Why? Why?” But those words didn’t reach Jeong Taeui’s ears.

He lay flat on the floor.

Maybe past life karma isn’t the issue. He didn’t even know what went wrong from the start. And to solve the fundamental problem….

“Anyway, I have to return to Korea for a while…”

Jeong Taeui muttered like a moan. Christoph leaned down and towards Jeong Taeui upon hearing those whispered words.

“Missing your homeland due to mental and physical exhaustion?”

“…… I need to go back to find an exorcism ritual….”

“Exorcism? What is that?”

“………”

**************

As Jeong Taeui heard on his first day at the estate, he hardly ever needed to go to the Main Building. He had never set foot in The East Wing and only had a vague idea of its structure.

The main building managed everything from internal to external affairs and hosted guests related to the family’s business. Except for personal spaces like bedrooms or rest areas, almost everything was located in the main building.

The East Wing and The West Wing where were people of the same bloodline, regardless of branch, lived and spent their daily lives. Both were spaces for sleeping, resting, bathing, eating… The only difference between the two buildings was the age group: one was for the older generation, and the other was for the younger generation. Their functions were otherwise similar.

When a distinguished guest visited for an extended period, they were accommodated in The East Wing, while other regular guests were housed in The West Wing. Jeong Taeui had frowned for a moment at this clear distinction, but since the room in The West Wing where he stayed was very comfortable, he had no intention of complaining.

“Living in the same house, yet one person is welcomed like an honored guest in The East Wing while another stays in The West Wing doing menial tasks. How bitter.” 

Jeong Taeui sat dazed on the long chair in front of The West Wing, gazing toward The East Wing and muttering to himself.

At the same time, a few men in suits stepped out of the main door of The East Wing. As they walked toward the waiting car below the steps, talking, Jeong Taeui reflexively leaned over and hid behind a waist-high potted plant. He had no reason to hide, but among the men was a tall and muscular figure from afar that looked very much like Ilay. Even though he knew it wasn’t him, his body instinctively hid out of reflex.

“It’s really good not to be in The West Wing. If I were in The East Wing in the same building with him, I don’t know if I could even step out.”

Jeong Taeui nodded and muttered again.

Chrishtoph was right.

The day Jeong Taeui had to face the nightmare reality in broad daylight, he immediately braced himself mentally to be ready for any danger at any time. But the next day, and the day after that, and the days following, Ilay did not come looking for him.

More accurately, they rarely crossed paths. Since that time, he had only seen Ilay from afar a few times, always at such a distance that even shouting wouldn’t have been heard.

Ilay seemed to completely stand in a neutral position, not siding with any faction. He only observed everyone in The West Wing and never approached Jeong Taeui, just like Christoph, who was no longer a successor candidate.

Given the current situation, with Ilay only staying in The East Wing and mainly operating around the eastern part of the main building, it was almost impossible to meet him as Jeong Taeui wandered around The West Wing.

Unease was inevitable, but more than that, Jeong Taeui was anxiously anticipating whether today or tomorrow Ilay would come to see him. And because this anticipation was never met, he felt strangely sad.

“Even if we met, what good would it do?”

Jeong Taeui spread his arms on the back of the bench and looked up at the sky.

In reality, he didn’t know if meeting him would be good. Not just for Jeong Taeui, but for Ilay as well.

He recalled the moment they met, remembering the brief expression that disappeared from Ilay’s face upon seeing him. His eyebrows slightly furrowed in surprise, as if he had seen someone who shouldn’t be there.

Even after that, when they accidentally made eye contact from a distance, Ilay looked at him, clearly seeing each other, but showed no reaction, just a cold expression.

“A… I don’t know. Besides, how could I ever know what he’s thinking?”

Jeong Taeui mumbled, scratching his head.

At the same time,

“What are you doing here?”

A voice came from behind Jeong Taeui, at the left entrance of The West Wing.

Jeong Taeui, lost in his thoughts, didn’t realize someone was approaching and hastily sat up straight.

The man, still a few steps away, approached and stopped at a suitable distance for conversation without raising their voices.

“…Ah, yes.”

Instead of a polite greeting, Jeong Taeui mumbled meaningless words.

Today, Jeong Taeui saw him return early in perfect attire early in the morning – of course, when Jeong Taeui woke up still sleepy, he saw Richard return after exercising. But he didn’t expect this man to appear here just before lunch.

He was no longer in his usual suits but wore a light shirt and cotton pants, as if he had never worn formal clothes that morning.

“I thought you left early… it seems you came back early today.”

Thinking back, Jeong Taeui was the only one who thought he wasn’t siding with Christoph – but even so, this man always treated Jeong Taeui politely and courteously.

As he thought, he was indeed a person of great character. Jeong Taeui smiled and talked to Richard but quickly his smile froze.

A few steps behind Richard, a man entered from The West Wing’s left door, catching Jeong Taeui’s eye. It was the main character in his recent thought: ‘Meeting each other isn’t good’

Ilay stood on the steps, tapping his shoe and checking its condition. After inspecting for a bit, he slowly descended the steps.

Jeong Taeui made eye contact with Ilay as he approached Richard, his face cold. Jeong Taeui met his gaze with a blank expression but inwardly screamed, ‘What a wicked demon.’

“It seems you two often go together…”

Jeong Taeui said, shifting his gaze to Richard. He immediately glanced over his shoulder, then raised an eyebrow and replied in surprise.

“Not really. He has his tasks, and I have mine… we only occasionally have overlapping work that we need to discuss.”

Richard shrugged and said. Meanwhile, Ilay leisurely approached. He seemed to have heard their conversation but only raised an eyebrow in silence.

Jeong Taeui muttered and nodded: “I see.”

Indeed, even in the rare chance meetings like this, it was only the second time he saw them together.

Today, Ilay was wearing a suit that fit someone working in the stock market. The horn-rimmed glasses somewhat masked the strange, dazzling light of his black pupils.

“If you dare go out, you’re dead to me.”

Clearly, those were the lips that had said those words, yet now they remained silent.

Jeong Taeui could only remind himself of the lurking danger to stay alert. He tried to look at Richard, fearing that if he continued facing Ilay, they might engage in a staring contest to the death.

“But I saw you go out a few hours ago, you came back when, and even changed clothes.”

“Ah, because I am about to teach the kids.”

“The children—Ah, you’re in charge of teaching them something?”

“Actually, rather than teaching, I just play with them. It’s quite fun because they are smart and adorable.”

Seeing Richard say this and smile slightly compared to the young man who entered the main building a few hours ago with an annoyed and frowning face, Jeong Taeui believed even more that he was indeed a person of excellent character.

He glanced at the clock; it was almost time for Christoph to return after teaching the kids. Christoph would probably continue to be in charge of the kids in the next session.

“What do you teach them?”

“Haha, it’s nothing significant, just topics like human relationships and negotiation skills.”

Indeed, this was a very suitable topic for this man. Whoever chose him for this role certainly had an excellent eye.

Jeong Taeui stood watching Richard’s joyful smile.

Indeed, looking again, the resemblance was striking. The child’s face and his face, even their expressions, were like photocopies.

“? Is there something on my face?”

It seemed Jeong Taeui’s gaze was too obvious. Richard slightly widened his eyes, then smiled awkwardly and touched his face. Jeong Taeui quickly waved his hand.

“No, not at all. I was just thinking that you and your son look very much alike.”

“Ah, ah. You’ve met Oliver, haven’t you?”

Richard smiled without a hint of surprise, perhaps having heard similar remarks countless times and getting used to them. Jeong Taeui recalled the boy he had met not long ago.

While Christoph went to the main building to teach the kids, Jeong Taeui enjoyed the brief free time he had in his room with a can of beer and a book. But then he unexpectedly received a call from Christoph asking him to bring some books he needed to The East Wing.

They were in a cozy small room at the west end of the second floor of the main building. When he entered the room Christoph had mentioned, five pairs of eyes – no, six, including Christoph – all turned to him.