In the morning light barely filtered through the curtains, painting soft patterns across the room.
Haneul shot upright in bed, his eyes blinking against the brightness.
He was almost startled awake by the familiar presence at the foot of his bed.
Bora stood there, her expression a mix of disappointment and concern.
But it wasn't just her it was the quiet figure of Haru sitting calmly on the bed beside him, her small face serene, her eyes bright with a quiet energy that made Haneul freeze for a moment.
Bora's arms held a neatly folded school uniform, her brows furrowed as she looked at the two of them.
Haru hadn't prepared herself for school, and now the morning was slipping away.
Haneul's gaze flitted between Bora and the little girl. He tilted his head slightly, eyes questioning, silent.
Bora sighed softly, her words firm but gentle. "She didn't wear her uniform. She came to you… forcefully."
Haru, ignoring words, reached for the uniform from Bora's hands.
Her small fingers gripped it tightly, guiding it toward Haneul.
He blinked, understanding instantly. With a quiet, careful patience, Haneul helped her dress, smoothing the fabric gently.
He looked almost like a child himself, rubbing his eyes and blinking sleep away, yet there was something tender in the way he moved.
A small smile curved across his lips as he guided Haru, helping her with a care that felt natural, instinctive.
Bora stood to the side, watching them silently, her heart caught in her chest.
She couldn't help but notice the way Haneul treated Haru, how carefully, how gently. And in that moment, something about it reminded her of Miss Harin, the care and warmth she had always shown.
A quiet whisper of gossip from the servants outside reached her ears.
"Look at them… Haneul is so sweet with her. If Sir Taekyun ever lets them stay close,"
Another one said,
"I wouldn't be surprised if Sir Taekyun announced that they're together. It'll be surely for haru sake.
See how happy she is with him?"
Haru reached up and touched Haneul's face, her tiny hand pressing softly against his cheek.
"Cute,"
She said, her voice a rare sound, full of pure innocence.
The word carried something heavier than its simplicity.
Haneul blinked, his big eyes meeting hers. For a moment, the world seemed to stop.
He had been called many things before pretty, delicate, fragile but never like this.
Not with the purity of Haru's small voice, her honest affection.
A warmth spread through him, one he didn't understand, yet welcomed.
Bora felt a shiver run through her as she watched the exchange.
She moved closer, gently taking Haru by the shoulders.
"Haru," she murmured, soft, almost awed. "Say it again."
The little girl shook her head, pouting slightly, playful and stubborn as she pulled back toward Haneul.
Instead of repeating the word, she threw her arms around him once more, hugging him tightly.
Haneul, careful not to crush her small frame, returned the hug, holding her close.
The sight was enough to make Bora's eyes mist, and even the servants nearby whispered quietly, astonished at the innocent bond forming before them.
Eventually,
Haru stepped back from the bed, tiny hands clutching her bag, moving slowly toward the lounge for breakfast.
Bora followed gently, keeping an eye on the pair, while Haneul lingered by the window, gazing out at the cloudy morning.
He tilted his head, watching the rain streak the glass.
Since I came here, it's been raining every day… he thought.
Is there no sun in this world?
Or has the season forgotten me?
Downstairs,
Taekyun had already finished his breakfast. His eyes caught the sight of Haru emerging from the basement room, her small face alight with joy, a smile so pure it stopped him in his tracks.
She moved like Haru should confident in her small steps, innocent yet so full of life.
The resemblance struck him like lightning: her smile reminded him sharply of Harin, the late presence in his mind that never truly left.
Bora followed closely behind, her own
thoughts conflicted.
He's going to scold her again…
She worried, but she couldn't deny the gentle closeness between Haru and Haneul.
The boy, so fragile-looking, yet so caring, had captured her daughter's affection in a way that even Taekyun hadn't managed in recent days.
Even as she guided them toward the breakfast table, a quiet, emotional tension lingered.
Haneul's soft, tender ways with Haru made Bora's heart ache.
She didn't know what the morning would bring, but one thing was certain:
The innocence, the pure happiness of this small, delicate family moment was something no one in the house could ignore.