The hidden letter

There certainly is something and everything that has happened so far, including Elora's indirect warning just now, made her more curious than ever.

The Jeon mansion was quieter than usual today. Lali had spent her morning helping with small tasks in the kitchen, but by mid-afternoon, she felt the need to escape and clear her mind. The library seemed like the perfect place.

As she walked through the halls, she noticed Irene sitting by the parlor window. Irene, one of Gguk's brothers' wives, was working on embroidery, her needle moving steadily across the fabric.

"Lali," Irene called out when she spotted her. Her tone was polite but carried a hint of curiosity. Lali stopped and turned toward her.

"Yes?" Lali asked, stepping closer.

"Where are you off to in such a hurry?" Irene asked, setting her embroidery aside and gesturing for Lali to join her.

"I was just heading to the library," Lali replied.

Irene smiled faintly and motioned to the chair opposite hers. "Come, sit for a moment. I hardly see you around."

Lali hesitated but took the seat, folding her hands neatly in her lap.

"You've settled in well," Irene remarked, picking up her embroidery again. "It's not easy to find your place in a house like this."

Lali nodded. "I'm doing my best. Everyone has been kind."

Irene looked up at her, a faint smile on her lips. "Kindness is good, but remember, in this house, it's important to know when to stay quiet and when to ask questions."

The comment seemed casual, but Lali couldn't help feeling there was more to it. She tilted her head slightly, trying to understand Irene's words.

Irene's fingers paused over her embroidery as she added, "If you're going to the library, you might find the history section interesting. Some of the books there hold more than just stories. They hold truths, though not everyone sees them that way."

Lali gave a polite smile, unsure of what to say. "Thank you for the suggestion. I'll take a look."

Irene's smile lingered, but there was something unreadable in her expression. "Just be careful with what you find. Sometimes, curiosity brings answers we aren't ready for."

Feeling a little uneasy, Lali excused herself and continued to the library. Irene's words played in her mind as she walked through the grand wooden doors and into the vast room lined with shelves of old books.

She browsed through the shelves, stopping at the history section as Irene had mentioned. She pulled out a leather-bound book, its cover worn and faded with age. The title was barely legible, but something about it drew her in.

Lali sat by the window and opened the book carefully. As she turned the pages, a folded piece of paper slipped out and landed in her lap.

Frowning, she picked it up. The paper was yellowed and brittle, the edges frayed, and the ink smudged. Unfolding it slowly, she saw faint handwriting that looked rushed, almost desperate. It read:

"Either you're brave enough to stay, or you run away. The choice will decide your fate."

—A.J.

The message sent a chill through her. The words were strange and foreboding, as though meant to warn someone.

Lali studied the letter, wondering who A.J. was and why this had been hidden in the book. The handwriting was old, and the ink had started to fade. It felt like the letter had been there for decades, untouched until now.

Just then, she thought she heard a soft creak outside the library door. She glanced up, but the hallway was empty. Shaking off the feeling, she turned back to the letter, reading the words again.

"Either you're brave enough to stay, or you run away."

Lali placed the letter back in the book, her thoughts spinning. She wanted to share this with Gguk but wasn't sure how he would react. For now, she decided to keep it to herself.

Unbeknownst to her, Mina had passed by the library earlier and had seen Lali sitting by the window. Mina didn't enter, but her expression was troubled. She knew something that Lali didn't, something that made her afraid for her brother and his wife.

Lali left the library with the old book tucked under her arm, her thoughts still swirling with the strange letter she had found. The message lingered in her mind, leaving her both curious and uneasy. She decided to clear her head and headed to the garden, drawn to the crisp air and the quiet space.

The garden was beautiful as always, with flowers blooming in soft colors and the faint hum of bees in the air. Lali found a stone bench near the fountain and sat down, resting the book beside her.

She didn't notice Taeyang approaching until he was a few steps away.

"Lali," he called out, his voice carrying a warmth that caught her off guard.

Startled, she looked up and smiled politely. "Oh, Taeyang. I didn't see you there." He gestured toward the empty space on the bench. "May I join you?"

"Of course," she replied, shifting slightly to make room.

Taeyang sat down, leaning back with a relaxed ease. He was dressed more casually than usual, his sleeves rolled up, and there was an air of confidence about him that seemed almost effortless.

"You seem lost in thought," he said after a moment, glancing at the book beside her. "Is it the book, or something else?"

Lali hesitated, unsure of how much to share. "Just...something I found inside the book. It's nothing important."

Taeyang tilted his head, his curiosity evident. "Nothing important? You don't seem like the type to be distracted by nothing."

She gave a small laugh, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "It's hard to explain. I don't want to bore you."

"I doubt you could," he said smoothly, his gaze lingering on her for just a moment longer than necessary. "But I won't push. You can tell me when you're ready."

There was a brief silence, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Taeyang seemed in no rush to leave, and Lali found herself relaxing despite her earlier unease.

"You come to the garden often?" he asked, leaning forward slightly.

"Sometimes," she admitted. "It's peaceful here." Taeyang nodded. "I come here too, but not for the peace. I like the view."

Lali looked at him, catching the faint smirk on his lips. His words were innocent enough, but there was a subtle hint in his tone that made her cheeks warm.

"Well, it is a beautiful garden," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

"It is," Taeyang agreed, though his eyes were on her, not the flowers.

Lali looked away, pretending to admire the fountain. She wasn't used to this kind of attention, and she wasn't sure what to make of it.

"Do you miss your old home?" Taeyang asked, changing the subject slightly. His tone was casual, but there was genuine interest in his question.

"Sometimes," Lali admitted. "But I'm learning to adjust here. It's different, but not in a bad way."

"You've brought a kind of light to this house," Taeyang said, his voice softer now. "I don't think anyone else could have done that."

Lali blinked, surprised by his words. "That's kind of you to say."

"It's not kindness," he replied, leaning back and crossing his arms. "It's just the truth."

She didn't know how to respond, so she stayed quiet, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of the book beside her.

"Lali," Taeyang said after a moment, his tone more serious now. "Do you ever feel like this house...hides things? Secrets, I mean."

The question caught her off guard, and she turned to look at him. His expression was calm, but there was something in his eyes that made her wonder how much he knew.

"Why do you ask that?" she said carefully.

Taeyang shrugged, though his gaze didn't waver. "Just a thought. This family has a way of keeping things buried, don't you think?"

Lali felt a chill run through her, but she tried to keep her voice steady. "I haven't been here long enough to know."

He studied her for a moment, then smiled again, the tension in his expression easing. "Well, maybe I'm just imagining things. But if you ever need someone to talk to, someone outside of...all this," he gestured vaguely toward the mansion, "you know where to find me."

"Thank you," Lali said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Taeyang stood, brushing off his pants. "I should let you get back to your book. But don't let it keep you up all night."

He gave her one last smile before walking away, leaving her alone in the garden. Lali watched him go, her thoughts a mix of confusion and curiosity.

Taeyang's words lingered in her mind, adding to the growing sense of mystery surrounding the Jeon family. What exactly was he trying to say? And how much did he know about the secrets hidden within the mansion's walls?

Lali opened the book again, but she found it hard to focus. The garden suddenly felt a little less peaceful, and the words on the page seemed to blur together