16

"Good morning, miss!"

I rub my eyes and look at Rizza who just came in, my breakfast meal in her hands.

"Ah...good morning, Rizza," I reply before smiling.

She puts down my meal on the bedside table and hurries to part the huge curtain. I look out the large window beside my bed and feel the breeze that came in.

It's been a month since I came here and somehow, the season feels like it's gonna start to get cold soon.

"Ah...the air is cold. Do you want me to close the windows and just use the heater—"

"Ah no. It's fine, Rizza. I like this," I say.

That heater... It's a device used to warm yourself in the winter season in this world. It's another amazing invention I've learnt so far.

"Alright, miss. By the way, the head master said that you should have some snacks with him later at the garden."

Eh? A tea time? That's a first. So far, I've been getting along with everyone in this house but this is the first time that father asked for me to join him.

"...Alright."

Time quickly past and I find myself walking towards the garden area. I actually haven't visited this place since that day.

I brush my arm to try and decrease my anxiety. To think that someone was shot here makes me feel...weird.

"Serra..."

Ah! I'm already near the gazebo. There, I see father sitting with another man...and there's also a girl who looks like my age.

Eh?

"Father, you called for me..." I say.

He nods and motions for a servant to help me sit on the chair. I carefully accept.

"Serra, this here is...a business partner of mine, President Min Woo Kang."

President?! Wait, I've read that they refer to kings here as "presidents". Is he the president of this country?!

Ah! I have to give him honor!

Quickly, I go down from my chair to bend my knees and greet him.

"Good afternoon, mister president. It is my pleasure to meet you. My name is Kim Serra," I say politely.

A few seconds past and I hear him laugh. Frowning, I look at him.

"Oh! I apologize Mr. Kim. I tried to suppress my laughter but your daughter's quite...adorable. She knows such etiquette..." he comments with a warm smile.

Blushing, I glance at my father and he's just staring coldly at the man. That made the man lower his head, a sweat forming on his forehead.

"I...didn't mean it in a bad way though. I just kinda...feel honored that someone treated me as if I'm the president of this country. It was refreshing," he adds while waving his hand in the air. "The pleasure is all mine, Miss Kim Serra," he adds shyly.

Oh! He's not the president? Then...

"What kind of president are you mister?" I accidentally blurts out. I gasp as I realize my rude question.

This time, my father helps me to get back up the chair.

"Ho! Ho! My name is Min Woo Kang as your father have said. I am not this country's president but I am a president of one of the leading entertainment companies of this country. My company produces idol groups."

Idol...groups? I've heard that somewhere before... Oh right! I caught Lili and the other maids talking about the new trendy song of an idol group last time. One of them was even dancing...weirdly.

"Idol...group... Hmm..." I mumble.

"Does young miss not like idols?" the man asks.

Idols huh... They refer to them in this world as entertainers. They're job is to sing, dance, and capture everyone's attention. It was considered as a shameful job back in my past life so I don't really understand why people look at them like they are gods. I even found out that some in demand idols earn a lot of cash, bigger than some company owners.

"I...don't know any, mister," I reply.

He looks a bit taken back by what I said.

"Oh. I thought little girls now knows about them. I'm sorry—"

"My daughter has a lot more important things to do and she has a lot of hobbies to care about your work," father says and sips on his wine.

Ah... He just ruined "tea time".

I glance at the glass of juice in front of me. It's grapes...with ice. Looks refreshing but I gotta tell father to give me tea next time instead.

Sighing, I take a sip and focus my attention back on the topic on hand.

"Right. By the way, I almost forgot. This is my daughter, Seulgi Min."

Unlike me, the girl just bowed slightly at me and my father. Father nods so I just copied his action.

"I supposed you already know why I called for you here in my household and asked for you to bring your daughter along..." father says with a serious expression.

"I'm not sure but I'm guessing that you want someone to...accompany your daughter, Mr. Kim."

To accompany me? Why though? I'm already satisfied with Rizza and my brothers also come visit me. The other servants are also good to me.

"You're right. I wasn't really fond of the idea at first but Onyl said that she'd probably want to be with someone of the same age and of the same gender. He said that it might be good for her to grow up...with a person like...your daughter."

"Oh...that makes sense but...may I ask why you chose my daughter?" the man carefully asks.

"Out of all the people I know who has a daughter, yours...seems to be the least bad influence of them all," father simply replies that made me gasp.

How could he just say that in front of her?! It's almost the same as saying she's a bad influence but a little less than the rest! Also, why are they even talking about this in front of us?!

"Ah...father..." I try to stop him from saying more that could hurt someone's feelings. "Why don't I tour miss Seulgi while you converse with mister Min?" I suggest with a smile.

He stares at me for a while before allowing me.

Gently, I scoot over to the girl's side, my hands behind me.

"Do you want to do that, miss Seulgi?" I ask.

She seems surprise but she nods back and stands up to follow me.

I can't help but hold her hand and walk faster, away from the gentlemen. Their conversation's just...frustrating.

Once far enough, I let go of her hand and look at her. I'm startled to see her blushing and looking away.

"Err... I'm sorry I just held your hand without asking," I say.

"T—That's not it. I'm not used to it but it didn't feel weird. I'm just embarrass..."

Now, this is what I'm talking about! Father, you should really learn how to be sensitive at times. Women are fragile with words. Tsk!

I pat her head and she weakly sighs.

"I'm sorry. I'm pretty sure you wouldn't like someone as frail as me to accompany you," she says lowly.

I give her a smile.

She really does seem frail and shy but I don't feel uncomfortable even when I held her hand. She feels like a...sister actually. It's surprising how someone can make me feel like this considering I've never had a sister before and I had no close female acquaintances.

Ah... Then why don't I... Right.

"No, miss Seulgi. To be honest, I like you. What do you think of being...friends with me? Can I call you...Seulgi from now on? In exchange, you may also call me Serra!"

~*~