Chapter 5
No one saw that, right?
As I crossed the garden, I frantically scanned my surroundings.
Thinking back, I realized how foolish I’d been.
I had vowed to keep a low profile, and yet here I was, starting a fight on my very first day.
No matter how angry I’d been, I should have held back.
Causing a commotion in front of Jeok I-geon’s residence was as good as asking to be killed.
He was an extremely composed person who abhorred noise with a near-pathological hatred.
I had resolved to stay invisible before even arriving at Geonyeong Pavilion, but my impulsive temper had gotten the better of me once again.
He couldn’t have heard that, right?
The distance from the main gate to his quarters was far enough that he shouldn’t have.
Jeok I-geon might be a monster who surpasses human limits, but that’s in the future.
Right now, he’s just a nineteen-year-old boy.
Of course, he’s an incredibly talented boy, so he’s likely already a formidable martial artist.
Even so, if I got caught, nothing good would come of it.
Calm down. You have to stay calm.
Getting swept up in anger could only lead to disaster.
I had to survive. Even if this world was inside a novel, with no way to return, survival was my only option.
Shin Seol-ha, don’t panic.
Just do what you’ve always done.
Standing in front of Jeok I-geon’s quarters, I took a deep breath.
All I had to do was open this door, and my work would begin.
Do-ae and her group had already dispersed to their tasks.
As much as I wanted to do the same, today was my first day as an exclusive maid. I should at least greet him formally.
Jeok I-geon would obviously pay no attention to someone like me, but as a subordinate, it was proper etiquette.
“Phew. Stay calm…”
Just as I finished my deep breath and reached for the doorknob, the door suddenly slid open.
In my line of sight was a broad chest.
“A new face. Are you the new exclusive maid?”
I was so startled that I couldn’t even scream and froze like a statue.
Overwhelmed by fear, I couldn’t even lift my gaze to meet his.
Thump. Thump-thump. Thump-thump-thump!
My heartbeat raced to its limit.
“Why aren’t you answering? I didn’t hear you were mute.”
His impatient tone snapped me out of my daze.
I quickly stepped back and bowed deeply at the waist.
“G-Good morning. My name is Shin Seol-ha, and I’ve been assigned as Geonyeong Pavilion’s exclusive maid starting today. Please treat me well!”
“Are you planning to stay like that? I need to see your face if I’m to recognize you later.”
“Y-You’re right!”
My throat felt parched from the tension.
I forced myself to maintain a composed expression as I slowly raised my head.
…Wait, what?
Is this guy supposed to be Jeok I-geon?
Looking at the man in front of me, I was puzzled.
Though I had never seen Jeok I-geon in person, I had read countless descriptions of him in the novel.
He was said to have porcelain-white skin, a sharp nose, and a jawline so defined it could cut. His lips were blood-red, and his eyes were described as being as deep and dark as the night sky.
The author often wrote that he was more beautiful than most women.
However, the man before me had bronze skin.
While he was undeniably handsome, he didn’t exude the kind of beauty that would make women swoon.
This man couldn’t be Jeok I-geon.
“I’m Cheon Gang. I serve as Second Young Master’s guard.”
I was right.
Of course. It wasn’t like I skimmed the novel.
But wait. Did he say his name was…?
“…!”
I instinctively covered my mouth, stifling an inner scream.
Cheon Gang!
How could I have forgotten him?
Though he was currently playing the role of Jeok I-geon’s guard, he would later become known as the Blood Sword Soul and play a pivotal role in helping the Demonic Cult unify the martial world.
He was also the heir to the Cheon Family, one of the Six Great Demon Clans, known for their mastery of demonic swordsmanship.
Cheon Gang was the only person capable of reining in Jeok I-geon.
It was said that the Cheon Family’s leader, recognizing Jeok I-geon’s potential early on, had deliberately sent his son to serve as Jeok I-geon’s closest subordinate.
“You seem to know who I am.”
Noticing my reaction, Cheon Gang frowned slightly as he looked down at me.
Ah, I’m trembling!
I couldn’t tell him this, but Cheon Gang was my favorite character.
Every time he stopped Jeok I-geon’s rampages, I would mutter, “Thank goodness,” out loud.
While he couldn’t prevent all tragedies, many lives were saved thanks to his interventions.
Though he was a demon, he valued life. I admired that about him.
And his pure-hearted devotion to a single woman…
Though their love was never realized, the lengths he went to for her tugged at the heartstrings of a loner like me.
“I-I’ve heard your name. It’s an honor to meet you.”
“Will you make such a fuss in front of Young Master as well?”
“…Pardon?”
“No need for pleasantries like ‘please treat me well’ or ‘it’s an honor.’ He hates noise, so just quietly do your work. Understood?”
Though his tone was blunt, Cheon Gang’s words were a warning meant for my benefit.
Having observed Jeok I-geon since childhood, he must have understood his true nature well.
My favorite character was worried about me!
Just meeting him in person was overwhelming enough, but now my heart was pounding uncontrollably.
For the first time since becoming Jeok I-geon’s exclusive maid, I felt a moment of happiness.
“Why aren’t you responding?”
Cheon Gang’s expression showed exasperation at my dazed state, as if wondering what to do with me.
Hastily, I answered to ease his concern.
“I will keep that in mind.”
“And one more thing—if you have any questions for the Young Master, direct them to me. It’s best to avoid speaking to him directly.”
“Yes, I’ll do that.”
“His bedroom is this way. He’s out for early morning training.”
That was the best news I’d heard all day. It was the perfect opportunity to tidy his bedding before he returned.
After bowing to Cheon Gang, I quickly made my way to the bedroom.
With the joy of meeting my favorite character, my steps felt much lighter.
Jeok I-geon’s quarters were unexpectedly sparse.
For the second son of the Heavenly Demon, the interior was shockingly plain.
There was only a bed, a wardrobe, a bookshelf filled with books, and a table for four.
A minimalist psychopath, I see.
“First, let’s get some fresh air in here.”
I have to admit—I enjoyed cleaning.
Even during my hectic life as a working adult, I never skipped tidying my home, not even for a single day.
There wasn’t any particular reason for it.
A clean and orderly space just made me feel good.
Moving around also helped clear my mind and loosen up any stiffness in my body.
The fact that I’d ended up as a maid in the Demonic Cult was unfortunate, but the job itself suited my temperament quite well.
“That said, having to change the bedding every day is a real pain.”
Jeok I-geon was an obsessive neat freak.
Many women who had sneaked into his bedroom to seduce him had died without uttering a word—all because they dared to lie on his bed.
He never allowed anyone but himself to use his bed.
Even for matters of succession, he used a separate room for such activities, displaying an unusual level of attachment to his bed.
The irony wasn’t lost on me that I, a mere maid, was tasked with touching and arranging that sacred bed.
The pristine white bedding lay neatly on the bed, as if to testify to his obsessive cleanliness.
It was so immaculate that if not for the faint signs of someone having lain there, one might think it was freshly sewn.
Not a single strand of hair was in sight.
“As expected, he’s a zero when it comes to humanity.”
Clicking my tongue, I folded the bedding and placed it in the laundry basket.
Then, I retrieved a fresh set from the wardrobe and arranged it neatly on the bed.
I even silently prayed that Jeok I-geon would find it comfortable when he lay down.
“Next, let’s pick out some clothes.”
I swept the floor clean and carefully dusted every piece of furniture and item, ensuring nothing was out of place.
Jeok I-geon’s first stop after training would undoubtedly be the bath.
Knowing his meticulous nature, he’d want to change into fresh clothes afterward.
As an exclusive maid, my role was akin to that of a modern-day secretary.
I not only carried out his commands but also anticipated his needs in advance.
Though most of it was grunt work, failing to meet expectations could disrupt his routine—and possibly cost me my life.
Determined to survive, I opened the wardrobe and inspected the clothes carefully.
Various garments were neatly lined up.
I selected a blue outfit and placed it at the foot of the bed.
If my memory served me correctly, Jeok I-geon favored blue martial attire even after becoming the Heavenly Demon.
It was then I realized—psychopaths can have favorite colors, too.
What was next on the list?
Oh, breakfast.
Preparing meals was one of the primary duties of an exclusive maid.
As I wondered what dishes were available today, I turned toward the door.
Since when…?
I hadn’t heard the door open at all.
Standing there, his hair still damp from a bath, was Jeok I-geon.
He stared at me intently.
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