That day, the sky above Joseon hung heavy.Gray clouds lingered over the Kang residence — a sign that something was about to change.
And indeed, something did.Lady Im Hwa-jin had finally decided… to stop staying silent.
That morning, the house buzzed with whispers and hurried footsteps.Rumors spread quickly: Lady Im had invited officials and noble families to a formal tea gathering —a gathering to officially introduce herself as the future lady of the Kang household.
But behind her graceful smile… lay a plan not everyone knew.
Eun-bi was busy in the kitchen, preparing tea and sweets for the event."They said this one's really important," Mi-sun whispered nervously. "Be careful, Han."
Eun-bi nodded, sighing. "Yeah, yeah. I already promised myself — no chaos today. No drama, no disaster."She paused. "Unless the universe insists. Then that's another story."
Mi-sun frowned. "Are you sure you're okay going to the main hall?"Eun-bi forced a smile. "I'm just a servant, not the main character. Who'd even notice me anymore?"
She couldn't have been more wrong.
The tea ceremony began.The nobles arrived, all smiles and empty compliments.Lady Im sat in the center — elegant, calm, and dazzling, like a flower blooming perfectly on cue.Jun-yeol stood at the edge of the room, his face calm but eyes sharp, observing everything.
Eun-bi entered quietly, carrying a tray of tea.She kept her head low, trying to make herself invisible.But the world — as always — had other plans.
As she poured tea for one of the guests, a woman suddenly gasped."What—what is this?!"
All eyes turned toward Eun-bi.Floating inside the guest's teacup was a small piece of paper — handwritten, delicate.
Lady Im rose gracefully. "What is that?"
The guest carefully unfolded the paper and read aloud:
"If this world is written, then love should not be controlled by another's pen."
The room fell silent.Every gaze shifted — one by one — to Han Eun-bi.
Eun-bi froze, panic spreading through her chest."That— That's not—! I didn't put that there!"
Lady Im's eyes narrowed, though her voice stayed sweet."You wrote something like this during a noble gathering? What did you mean by it, Han Eun-bi?"
"I didn't— I just— It's not—"Her voice cracked; her hands trembled.
One of the noblewomen whispered, "How bold… writing about love in Lord Kang's house."
Lady Im turned toward Jun-yeol, her tone calm but sharp as glass."Lord Kang, perhaps it's time you show your guests that this household still has discipline."
The air grew heavy.Eun-bi lowered her head, her tears dripping quietly onto the floor.She had no proof, no defense, no escape.
But then, slow and steady footsteps echoed across the hall.Jun-yeol stepped forward.
"There's no need," he said evenly. "I'll set an example — but not the kind you expect."
All eyes followed him as he stopped beside Eun-bi.His voice was calm, but each word cut through the silence.
"The note indeed speaks of love. But there's nothing shameful about honest love."
"Lord Kang!" Hwa-jin snapped, losing her composure for the first time.
"The only thing more dangerous than love," he continued, "is a lie kept alive for the sake of appearances."
He looked straight at her."If you want to know who wrote that note… it was me."
The hall went dead silent.Hwa-jin blinked in disbelief. "You… what?"
"I wrote it," Jun-yeol repeated calmly. "And Han Eun-bi is not at fault. She only did what I asked — to serve the tea."
Gasps rippled through the room.The nobles exchanged looks, half in shock, half in intrigue.
"You're disgracing your own family," Hwa-jin hissed.
Jun-yeol's tone remained steady. "Better to be honest before everyone… than to live a life built on pretense."
Behind him, Eun-bi stood frozen, tears spilling down her cheeks.
When the guests finally left, the hall fell silent once more — leaving only the three of them.Hwa-jin's voice trembled, caught between anger and pain."So this is the truth. I tried to protect your name, and all this time you were… falling for your servant."
Jun-yeol took a breath. "I didn't choose these feelings. But I won't deny them either."
"And you think the world will just let you?"
He smiled faintly. "If the world refuses, then I'll rewrite my part of it."
Hwa-jin's eyes glistened. "You're a fool, Jun-yeol.""Perhaps," he said softly. "But at least I'm an honest fool."
Hwa-jin turned away, her steps light but her shoulders heavy — walking out without another word.
Eun-bi stared at her fading silhouette, then looked at Jun-yeol — her face a mix of fear, gratitude, and disbelief."Tuan… why did you say it was you? That could—"
"Save you," he interrupted gently. "And I don't regret it."
"But… people will talk about you.""Let them talk."
He stepped closer, his voice quiet but firm."If this world is truly written, Eun-bi… then let me be the line that defies the ink."
Eun-bi's tears shimmered in the candlelight. "And I… just want to stay as a small note on the same page."
That night, the moon shone brighter than ever.In the courtyard of the Kang estate, two shadows stood side by side — silent, but unshakably real.No words of love were spoken, but the world seemed to know:two hearts had just rewritten their fate.