Sandara couldn't help but worry as Kwon Jiyong carried her into his residence but she found herself enveloped in an indescribable comfort and safety once they were inside. His place was wide and spacious. She didn't know what the other rooms were but walking past to the left side of the receiving hall was his bedroom and she couldn't help but admire its interiors.

The design seemed like she was taken back during the Three Kingdoms period, wherein Baekje, Goguryeo, and Silla coexisted. But she was sure this was more like the designs in Silla since she has a bit knowledge about it. Silla's capital back then was Gyeongju, her hometown and even until now, there were several structural ruins which were preserved by the government.

The decorations and antique desks as well as the lamps were different from Joseon's. Even his bed, which was a wide four-posted one draped with sheer canopy was something uncommon to Joseon household. Even the King sleeps on the mattress on the floor.

How could this man have this luxurious bed?

And now, ever so gently, she found herself being lowered down on the edge of the luxury she was so raving about. She nervously looked up at him before scooting further away until she was leaning on the bedpost.

"Do you know that thief?" Kwon Jiyong stood up and clasped his hands behind him as he walked away.

Sandara wondered why his voice sounded accusing. She averted her gaze and mumbled. "No." Well, she really didn't know the boy personally! She just saw him once before!

"Have you met him before?"

"Y-y-es." She glared at him only to meet his scrutinizing gaze. "I went out the other day. I met the boy in the market." She paused when she realized she sounded guilty for going out while he was away. "I just pity him. After all, he's just a little boy. Besides, I'm sure he was innocent. Look, he gave me back my missing purse! What damage would it cost you if you would let him go? That boy didn't even steal anything valuable but only took some pastries and rice cakes! He must be so hungry!" Everytime Sandara remember's that pitiful look on the boy's innocent eyes, she wanted to cry. "You and your men were cruel!"

Kwon Jiyong only glared at her, the frightening look on his eyes still there. "Whoever steps into this household without my permission is considered a criminal!" Sandara instantly cowered when he shouted at her.

"Stay here!" He angrily snarled before closing the door behind him with a loud bang. Sandara wanted to run after him but she knew the man was really mad that he was not paying attention to her words.

Not too long, Jo Sanggung arrived with a fresh set of clothes for her to change into. Surprisingly, despite the dark mood looming over the entire estate, Jo Sanggung could still smile.

"Manim, please bear with Daegam's attitude, will you?" The old lady said. "Daegam was a man who doesn't have any experience at all on treating a lady. His ways have always been harsh but he is not an unreasonable person."

"He is unreasonable," she huffed. Suddenly, her disappointment came back whirling in her chest remembering how much she prepared for tonight's dinner. And now he even shouted at her.

"Manim... Would you believe this old lady if I tell you that Daegam never fussed about the estate like this before? That arrogant boy never lost his cool whatever the situation is and handled everything with ease and control. He hates losing control. But lately... as this one can see, he was losing it to you. Daegam has been worrying and caring about you, Manim."

Sandara grabbed on a piece of cloth and dried her hair, purposely avoiding the old woman's stare. Actually, Kwon Jiyong wasn't the only one who lost his control on things. Even she did. She knew and have long accepted that a woman has little, to no right at all in this kingdom. She knew that being a wife, she should be supporting her husband, walking at least one step behind him. But whenever she's with him, she would lose her grace and elegance and more often than not, she fights back at him and defies him.

Why does it seem the two of them were only bringing out the worst in themselves?

"Jo Sanggung..."

"Yes Manim?"

"If what you're saying was true, why do we always argue? Why can't we meet in the middle?"

Jo Sanggung took the cloth in her hand and dotingly helped her dry her hair. "Manim... How about you try taking one little step at a time towards Daegam?"

To this, Sandara laughed a bit. "And if he steps back?"

"Then take another step forward until you reach him!"

"Easier said than done," She scoffed. She wondered if that was even possible with a man as indifferent and aloof as that big block of ice.

On the second thought, why was she even interested in walking up to him?

"Manim, there's nothing impossible with love,"

Sandara choked at the word. She hasn't even reached the word 'like' yet, and this old lady was already talking about love?

Preposterous!

But she didn't speak no more. She only found herself asking...

What does it feel to really like someone? To love someone?

Does it mean missing him when he's gone but avoiding him when he's around?

Does it mean still worrying about him even if you're mad at him?

She shook her head, too afraid to even ask questions because she didn't want to know the answer yet.

Late at night, Sandara found her body shaking and trembling uncontrollably. She felt something warm behind her and that heat soon spread out of her entire body. It burned her, it hurt her. She cried in agony as an unfamiliar pain at the back of her shoulder seared through her skin. She wanted to cry for help, she wanted to speak, but no voice would come out from her lips. She grabbed the sheets until her knuckles turned white. So painful! Too painful! She felt like she was about to faint until she felt something cold yet comforting, wrapping around her heated body. She clung onto that comfort, until she could finally catch her breath. At last, she was able to open her eyes.

She was still panting and shivering when she suddenly realized where she was. The canopy draped elegantly around the four posts, and the sheets around her had that fresh and manly scent.

"It's only a dream," An unusually gentle voice cooed before she finally pulled away in embarrassment. They drowned themselves in the sound of raindrops falling against the tile roof. It was raining.

Kwon Jiyong, how long have you been here? She asked in her head as he watched his stern face.

When she finally regained her composure, she realized how close he was to her so she scooted away but Kwon Jiyong held her arm and pulled her towards him as he reached out for a cup of water. "Drink this,"he said, his voice unfamiliarly soft, yet still firm making her oblige. He wiped the sweat on her forehead before letting her be.

"Sorry," She voiced out as she looked down at her laced fingers. She didn't mean to cling on to him like a bear to a tree. "It was a terrible nightmare. I felt the pain. It felt... Too real. I thought I was going to die." She couldn't even believe it was only a dream. Her fingers unconsciously touched the back of her shoulder and when she was sure there was nothing there, she finally sighed in relief.

"You can't die unless this Lord permits."

Sandara looked up at him to find any trace of humor on his face. This person also knows how to joke? She searched his face but found nothing. If there was anything she noticed, it was that deep look in his eyes before he spoke again. "Unfortunately, this Lord will never permit it."

Sandara was at a loss for words. Was he joking again? She suddenly shifted uncomfortably. 

"Sleep," Kwon Jiyong stood up and went back to his desk.

"I'll sleep in my room now," Sandara stood up and walked towards the door but she stopped midway when Kwon Jiyong spoke again as he busied himself on the reports on his desk.

"Stay in here until the the guards catch the burglar."

Sandara turned to him. So they didn't find the boy? She secretly rejoiced before insisting, "There are so many guards around. I'll be fine." With light footsteps, she crossed the room and headed for the door when Kwon Jiyong suddenly stood up to stop her.

"The entire estate is tightly secured. Not even a group of thieves should be able to break in. Not even the best thieves in town could match my men. Now, do you still think that little boy you just protected broke into the household all by himself?" 

Sandara already thought of this before but because she pitied the boy, she didn't entertain those questions in her head. Now that Kwon Jiyong was telling it to her, she understood where he was coming from. Kwon Jiyong wasn't really petty and unreasonable this time.

Accepting defeat, she decided to discuss it with him since it was a rare moment for this guy to talk this long. "So... Do you have any suspect among the servants? But the thing is, the boy only took some food." Sandara pondered making her crease her brows in deep thought. She didn't even notice the man before her was watching her with his keen eyes.

"Is there anything else missing in the household?"

Kwon Jiyong shook his head.

"See? That boy must really be just after the food!"

"Are we going back to the same issue again?"

Sandara felt helpless. She needed to go out tomorrow and find the boy.

"Daegam... Allow me to go out tomorrow. I'll find the boy and question him myself."

Kwon Jiyong's lips curved up as he stared at her with interest. She had the gall, he thought.

Well she showed him she does since day one. 

She called him by his name, she defied his orders, she spoke up whenever she wanted. When he read Yi Sung's gathered detailed profile of the woman, it was said she was trained in a special women's institute. Is this how she was trained? Joseon women shouldn't be this outspoken! In his conservative eyes, she has a little to none at all when it comes to propriety and se