That day, the Kang household was in complete turmoil.Servants rushed in and out of rooms, sweeping, polishing, decorating, and even replacing perfectly fine tablecloths just because the "color didn't feel prestigious enough."
"What's with all this fuss?" Eun-bi muttered, holding a bouquet of flowers upside down. "This looks more like a celebrity engagement than a noble visit."
"The Oh family is coming today," whispered the head maid urgently. "Lady Hwa-jin's father and his family."
Eun-bi blinked. "Her father? The one who walks like the air owes him respect?"
"Eun-bi!" The head maid nearly smacked her with a fan. "Watch your tongue unless you want to die before lunch!"
"Alright, alright! Mouth mode: silent," Eun-bi said, covering her lips with her hand — though her eyes were gleaming with curiosity.
Hours later, the clatter of horses and the rumble of a carriage echoed through the gates.The Oh family had arrived — grand and regal, every step radiating the air of high nobility.
Minister Oh Tae-gwang, a man with sharp eyes and a deep blue robe that carried authority in every fold, descended first.Beside him was Lady Yoo Seon-ok, graceful and serene, her smile gentle yet layered with meaning.And following them — Oh Ji-hoon, their eldest son, tall, composed, and effortlessly charismatic.
Every servant bowed low as Kang Seong-won and Kang Jun-yeol stepped forward to greet them.
"Minister Oh Tae-gwang," Seong-won greeted warmly, "it has been some time."
"The pleasure is mine, Lord Kang," Tae-gwang replied smoothly. "We've long intended to visit after hearing about your splendid summer banquet."
"And how is your daughter?" Seong-won asked politely.
Tae-gwang's gaze shifted toward Jun-yeol, a faint, knowing smile on his lips."Hwa-jin seems very happy here. But of course, we should discuss more... about the future of our two families."
The air stiffened at once.Jun-yeol remained calm, but Seong-won's eyes sharpened slightly — a father's mind already calculating possibilities.
Meanwhile, in the back kitchen, Eun-bi was busy pretending to scrub dishes while secretly eavesdropping.
"They're going to discuss the young master's marriage with Lady Hwa-jin!" whispered one maid."No way!""Yes! If the Oh and Kang families unite, their political power will be enormous!"
Eun-bi froze, soap still dripping from her hands."A political marriage?! Oh no, this is just like chapter fifteen of my own script! Wait—so Jun-yeol's actually going to marry Hwa-jin?"
She stared blankly at the boiling pot."Please don't make me prepare the wedding cake. I can barely manage my own destiny."
In the grand hall, the two noble families sat together, sipping tea.Eun-bi, tasked with serving the refreshments, entered quietly — hoping, praying, begging the universe not to draw attention.
Naturally, fate laughed.
As she poured tea for Lady Yoo Seon-ok, her hand trembled just slightly.A few drops of hot tea splashed—right onto Oh Ji-hoon's hand.
"Ah!" he flinched.
Every head turned instantly.
Eun-bi's soul almost left her body."I—I'm so sorry! My hand just… moved on its own! I swear I wasn't trying to scald a nobleman!"
Ji-hoon smiled faintly. "It's alright. The water isn't that hot."
Lady Yoo's gentle expression hardened a little. "Are you new here?"
"Yes, my lady," Eun-bi bowed quickly. "My name's Han Eun-bi. But most people call me… a walking disaster."
Silence.
Kang Seong-won rubbed his forehead. "Eun-bi…"
Minister Oh simply gave a cold glance. "This household certainly… keeps things interesting."
Eun-bi bowed lower. "I promise I'll be more careful! No more spilling tea! Unless it's, you know… kitchen secrets."
"Kitchen secrets?" Lady Yoo repeated, confused.
"Ah! I mean recipes! Yes! Recipes! Totally not actual secrets!" she laughed nervously.
Jun-yeol cleared his throat. "You may leave now, Han Eun-bi."
She bolted from the room faster than a startled chicken.
Once the door closed, Oh Ji-hoon chuckled softly."A rather interesting maid. Not many would dare speak like that in front of Father."
"Ji-hoon," Lady Yoo sighed, "you're far too forgiving of careless people."
Minister Oh's sharp gaze turned toward Jun-yeol."I thought this house was well-guarded, yet you seem to let anyone wander freely."
Jun-yeol met his stare calmly. "She's a servant who has done much for our household."
"Oh?" Tae-gwang's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sometimes, small people cause the biggest problems."
The words were polite—yet heavy as stone.
That night, Eun-bi sat in the kitchen, staring out through the small window at the night sky."Why is it that every time I walk into a fancy room, the tension triples?" she sighed. "Maybe I was born with chaotic energy."
Jo-an appeared, handing her a cup of water. "Did you hear? The Oh family's staying overnight."
Eun-bi's eyes widened. "You're kidding! I have to look busy so they won't make me serve them again. I'm still traumatized by tea!"
Jo-an laughed. "You can't hide forever. People like them always notice the smallest things… especially unusual servants."
Eun-bi groaned. "Great. I'm famous not for talent—but for stupidity."
Meanwhile, in the main hall, Minister Oh Tae-gwang and Kang Seong-won continued their private discussion.
"The marriage between Jun-yeol and Hwa-jin will strengthen both our houses," said Tae-gwang. "But I'd like confirmation before autumn arrives."
Seong-won looked toward his son. "Jun-yeol, what do you think?"
Jun-yeol was quiet for a long moment before answering softly,"If it is for the good of the family, I'll obey."
But behind his calm tone, his thoughts wavered.Strangely, it wasn't Hwa-jin's face that surfaced in his mind—but the frantic voice of a certain maid saying, 'I wasn't trying to scald a noble!'
And for reasons he couldn't quite explain, a faint smile ghosted across his lips.
✨ Outside, paper lanterns swayed gently in the wind.From the shadowed veranda, Oh Hwa-jin watched the faint glow from her family's chamber.Her eyes were sharp, her voice low but laced with venom.
"Han Eun-bi… do you really think you can keep slipping out of my sight?"