233 – TIO Side Story 10

* * *

…Click. Han Seung-jae came out after changing into casual clothes. Secretary Park, who had been waiting by the door until then, stepped beside him. Han Seung-jae’s gaze fixed on one spot. He took in the sight of the smiling Seo Yi-kyung.

After watching that scene silently, Han Seung-jae spoke bluntly.

“Hire an Omega.”

Secretary Park quickly recalled the profiles Han Seung-jae had seen in the afternoon. Given his fastidious nature, it was expected that even bringing someone into the house would be an ordeal. Especially an Omega.

As Han Seung-jae walked toward them, Seo Yi-kyung seemed to sense his presence, turned around, and stood up.

“Here. I’ll hold him.”

Han Seung-jae reached out his hand. He took Ji-un from Seo Yi-kyung. Han Seung-jae turned and walked ahead. Seo Yi-kyung watched his back and started to follow, but then stopped and looked at Da-hye. She seemed to have no intention of moving.

“Da-hye-ssi, come up with us.”

Seo Yi-kyung called her, but Da-hye hurriedly waved her hands.

“I’ll prepare some refreshments and then come.”

“Ah…”

Seo Yi-kyung trailed off, watching her step back as if afraid of being caught. That wasn’t something she needed to do now.

Da-hye only needed to take care of Ji-un. Still, the reason she spoke that way was likely because she was terrified of being in the elevator with Han Seung-jae.

Seo Yi-kyung had no choice but to turn and enter the elevator. Secretary Park removed his hand from the button he had been holding, bowed his head, and greeted Seo Yi-kyung. Seo Yi-kyung returned the greeting with a nod. Soon, the doors closed, and after the figures of Seo Yi-kyung and Han Seung-jae disappeared, the numbers on the panel changed.

Secretary Park, who had remained in the living room until then, took his phone from his inner pocket and contacted an employee.

It was none other than Han Seung-jae whose mind had changed. He had decided to accept someone who was necessary for Seo Yi-kyung and Ji-un.

“Whew—”

Da-hye let out a long breath and headed to the kitchen. Just then, Butler Do and the chef were preparing refreshments. Butler Do spoke to the chef as if checking for anything missing. Watching them, Da-hye fiddled with the teapot.

She moved her hand and took a platinum bracelet out of her pocket. It was something she had received from Seo Yi-kyung previously. At that Read on Read BL Novelstime, Da-hye had almost been framed unauthorized copyfor stealing this bracelet by Min Ra-hyeon, who had come to the house as a guest. However, Seo Yi-kyung had helped her avoid the stigma, even giving her this expensive-looking bracelet.

‘He even made sure I received an apology.’

The image of Seo Yi-kyung from back then still flickered vividly before Da-hye’s eyes. That was why, when she heard from Butler Do that she should take care of Young Master Ji-un, she was surprised that she was allowed to do such a thing, but she also felt as if an opportunity to repay him had arisen.

However, whenever she saw Han Seung-jae, Da-hye felt as if she were walking on thin ice. Fear always preceded her, worrying about what mistake she might make.

Yet, every time she saw Seo Yi-kyung and Young Master Ji-un, Da-hye felt a desire to do her absolute best.

She wanted to be helpful somehow.

* * *

Second-floor bedroom.

“Shall I hold him?”

Sitting at the table, Seo Yi-kyung reached out both hands. However, Han Seung-jae seemed to have no intention of handing over Ji-un, whom he was holding with one arm. Seo Yi-kyung hesitantly lowered his two hands, which had been hovering in the air.

As Han Seung-jae gazed blankly at Ji-un’s face, Seo Yi-kyung was seized by a strange feeling.

‘It couldn’t be, but…’

It looked as if they were in a standoff, engaging in a battle of wills with their eyes.

Han Seung-jae slowly lifted his head and spoke to Seo Yi-kyung.

“He’s not heavy, so it’s better if I hold him.”

Seo Yi-kyung had tried to hold him because he wasn’t heavy. However, Han Seung-jae looked at Seo Yi-kyung’s slender wrist exposed outside the long shirt, then looked away.

Knock, knock. With a low knocking sound, the door opened. It was Butler Do. He skillfully placed the refreshments on the table.

Butler Do lifted the teapot and filled two teacups.

“Where is Da-hye-ssi?”

At Seo Yi-kyung’s question, Butler Do’s gaze shifted. Da-hye had remained on the first floor, saying she would bring the refreshments. She was undoubtedly reading Han Seung-jae’s mood.

Butler Do slowly set down the teapot. He murmured to Seo Yi-kyung.

“She is in Young Master Ji-un’s room.”

As expected, it was clear that Da-hye-ssi was doing that because she was afraid of Han Seung-jae.

“Shall I call her?”

Seo Yi-kyung shook his head. He understood her feelings a hundred times over. Since he had also gone through a period of being afraid of Han Seung-jae, he felt more sympathy. Above all, since Seo Yi-kyung and Han Seung-jae were together now, she didn’t need to be here to take care of Ji-un. It would be better for her to take a rest, even if only at times like this. Just as he was thinking that…

“Why is she in that room?”

The gazes of Seo Yi-kyung and Butler Do shifted toward Han Seung-jae. He added, as if there were no hesitation.

“Send her down to the first floor.”

As Han Seung-jae stood up, Seo Yi-kyung reflexively reached both arms upward. However, Han Seung-jae handed Ji-un to Butler Do.

“Yes, I will do so.”

Butler Do did not ask Han Seung-jae for a reason. He simply cradled Ji-un carefully in his arms. Han Seung-jae [visit our site]our site">visit our sitespoke to Seo Yi-kyung, who was looking up at him.

“I’ve found someone to look after Ji-un, so don’t worry and focus on recovering your health first.”

Seo Yi-kyung blinked. That wasn’t what he was worried about. Instead, Da-hye’s face flashed before his eyes.

Perhaps because she was warm-hearted, she had been caring for Ji-un more delicately and meticulously than anyone else. That was something one could realize simply by observing her for a while.

However, Han Seung-jae was not the type of person to invest time and attention in others. Because of her timid and shy demeanor—her lack of confidence—he might have concluded long ago that she wasn’t fit to be entrusted with Ji-un.

But then again, anyone would feel that way under Han Seung-jae’s cold gaze. Was he not a man profoundly indifferent and uncaring toward others? No emotion could be felt from him.

Despite this, Butler Do acted as if he were accustomed to Han Seung-jae’s temperament.

“Once dinner preparations are complete, I will go to the study to speak with you.”

“Very well.”

Having said his piece, Han Seung-jae turned around. He opened and closed the bedroom door and headed toward the study.

Suddenly, Da-hye, who had been standing in front of Ji-un’s room, bowed her visit Read on Read BL Novels[stolen content]our sitewaist toward him. Han Seung-jae coldly brushed past her and opened the study door.

Secretary Park, who was inside, turned around.

* * *

“Give him to me.”

As Seo Yi-kyung reached out both hands, Butler Do lowered his upper body and carefully handed over Ji-un. Seo Yi-kyung patted Ji-un’s chest a couple of times.

“I didn’t think he was angry.”

“Regardless, Secretary Park mentioned that someone new will be coming tomorrow.”

As Seo Yi-kyung looked up, he recalled the conversation Butler Do had exchanged with Secretary Park while heading to the second floor with refreshments.

“I believe someone more suitable for Young Master Ji-un might be necessary.”

Butler Do had thought that he would take charge of caring for Ji-un, just as he had cared for a young Seo Yi-kyung in the past. However, the situation now was different from then.

At Seo Yi-kyung’s family home, there wasn’t much for Butler Do to do. To the point where no one Read [Read on Read BL Novels]Read on Read BL Novels -->on Read BL Novelswould look for him even if he stayed by the side of the painting Seo Yi-kyung all day. But this place was different. In this household, Butler Do could not spend all day by Seo Yi-kyung’s side.

Because of that, after consulting with Seo Yi-kyung, he had entrusted the care of Ji-un to Da-hye, who had a quiet, calm, and gentle personality, but it seemed she didn’t meet Han Seung-jae’s standards. And if he had found someone more suitable than Da-hye, it wouldn’t be a bad thing for Ji-un either.

“…Since it’s come to this, you don’t have to come up to the second floor anymore.”

Hearing Butler Do’s words, Da-hye slowly raised her head. She forced a smile onto her lips.

“That’s for the best. I was actually quite worried about whether I could do a good job. Now I can be at ease. I’ll go back to work then.”

Da-hye headed toward the stairs with a smile. However, Butler Do felt that her retreating figure looked somehow disheartened and diminished.

But since Han Seung-jae had made his decision, there was nothing Butler Do could do. Seo Yi-kyung had only recently given birth, so recovering his health had to be the top priority. Above all, that was likely what Han Seung-jae desired.

Butler Do turned back and headed to the bedroom where Seo Yi-kyung was. Then, he reached out both hands.

“I will hold him for a while. Are your arms aching?”

“This much is fine, but…”