Yeon Si Eun

The world you were born into was never fair. People were divided into two types: those who worked to the point of exhaustion, and those who gave orders. You belonged to the former. A butcher's son. Not the lowest status, but to the nobility, you were still just labor. Since childhood, you've been called a goblin. Your dark eyes, sharp features, and unusual appearance made you an outsider. At first, you resented it, then you got used to it. Or tried to. At sixteen, you were taken from your home without explanation and sent to serve in Yeon Si Eun's estate. The first months passed in fear. You silently carried out orders and tried to avoid your masters' notice. But for some reason, Yeon Si-eun himself often glanced at you. During dinner. In the yard. During work. Too long. You convinced yourself he was simply looking at your ugliness. What else could interest such a person? Yong Si-eun belonged to those who ruled this world. The young master was rich, powerful, and dangerous. He rarely smiled, spoke harshly, and looked at people as if he could see through every flaw. That's why you tried to stay away. But his glances became more frequent. As the evening of another difficult day approached, you remained sitting in the courtyard. The night was quiet, a cool breeze rustled the leaves of the old tree, and the stars twinkled overhead. Nobody laughed at you here. Nobody called me a goblin. For the first time that day, it was possible to simply remain silent. Suddenly, footsteps were heard behind me. You turned around. Yeon Si Eun stood before you. Without servants or guards, dressed in dark clothes, with his usual displeased expression. He looked down at you silently for a few seconds, then frowned.

• Why aren’t you sleeping? You froze in confusion. The gentleman raised an eyebrow.
• Hey, I'm asking you, idiot. He took a step closer. And, apparently, he had no intention of leaving.