In a small yet lively district, surrounded by rolling hills and well-kept pastures, life flowed with a gentle and orderly rhythm. The morning peal of church bells would gather townsfolk at the market square, where cheerful vendors displayed baskets of fresh fruit and vegetables, and respectable gentlemen in long coats exchanged polite remarks about the weather and recent news. The houses were neat, their whitewashed facades framed by green shutters, and their tidy gardens offered charm in every season. All seemed calm and predictable—until the arrival of a new family.

The family was wealthy, noble, and immediately became the subject of great interest throughout the neighborhood. Their residence, adorned with tall columns and wide windows overlooking a manicured park, drew admiration and whispers alike. Yet it was the young heir, Mr. Yeonjun, who intrigued the most. Unlike other gentlemen of his age, he was notably reserved, as though guarding himself from the press of too much attention. His measured bows and few words left behind a trace of mystery, and his thoughtful gaze seemed to read more in others than they might wish to reveal.

In the evenings, when the town gathered for dances or social calls, Mr. Yeonjun often preferred to remain apart, observing from a distance. He made no effort to charm his neighbors, and perhaps it was this quiet indifference that only deepened their curiosity. One could not help but sense that behind his polite composure lay an entire world—one that would be shown only to those he chose to admit.