TL | Chapter 42 | Acknowledgment

How long had he slept? Human habits were fascinating. When you have to wake up at the same time every day, your body just naturally gets up at that time without an alarm. But with nothing pressing to do, Iden had started waking up later and later.

Still, he never slept in too late. Usually, the sunlight streaming through the windows woke him up naturally. But today, when he opened his eyes, the room was still dark. Looking around, he realized the curtains were drawn, making it hard to gauge the time. He reached for his phone on the nightstand, only to see that it was just past 8:00 a.m.

The spot next to him was already empty. Despite being in the same house, Iden was never one to sleep in. Recently, whenever Seowon woke up, Iden was already in the living room, looking polished and working. Then, when Seowon came out, Iden would suggest they eat breakfast together, as if he’d been waiting.

Still, having shared a bed last night, Seowon thought they’d wake up together if he stirred. He marveled at his own obliviousness—not even noticing when the person next to him had gotten up. Seowon knew that being near Iden made him let his guard down, but it was almost embarrassing as a bodyguard.

After splashing some water on his face in the adjoining bathroom and gathering his thoughts, he walked into the living room. But Iden, who usually sat in the same spot every morning, was nowhere to be seen. Thinking he might be in the kitchen, Seowon checked, but it was empty.

“Iden?”

He called Iden’s name as he walked towards the study, but stopped when he heard voices inside. It was Iden and Min talking. Min must have come early in the morning. Knowing it was likely business talk, Seowon stepped back. Even if Iden’s work mostly stayed within legal bounds, he didn’t want to know more than he had to.

After waiting a bit on the living room sofa, he heard the study door open. Just as he expected, Iden and Min stepped out together. The surprising part was that Iden was dressed in a perfect suit.

“Heading to work?”

It was only natural, but since Iden hadn’t left the house in days, Seowon asked. Iden merely nodded in response.

“I should go, too….”

Naturally, he thought he’d go with him, but as he got up from the sofa, he felt Iden’s gaze fixed on him, making his face harden. If Iden had intended to leave with him, he wouldn’t have let him sleep in this long.

“You really think I’ll just sit quietly if you leave without me?”

Iden had told him to step back from his bodyguard duties, so it was clear he had no intention of taking Seowon along. But there was no way Seowon would sit at home quietly, letting worry eat away at him over the possibility that something might happen to Iden.

“I didn’t say you had to stay quietly.”

Iden answered with a knowing smile.

“I just have somewhere to stop by before heading to the office. Get ready at your own pace and come to the office. I’ll send a car to pick you up.”

Seowon felt relieved to know Iden wasn’t planning to leave him behind completely, though he still tilted his head in curiosity.

“Where are you going?”

Seeing that Min was accompanying him, he figured there was something going on. But it wasn’t the office, so he was puzzled.

“Breakfast with the old man.”

Seowon blinked, trying to figure out who he meant by “the old man,” until Min helpfully added, “He means Liam.” It was strange to hear someone refer to a dignified middle-aged gentleman as “old man,” but it showed just how comfortable Iden felt around him.

“Guess I’ll have to eat breakfast alone today.”

Iden chuckled playfully.

“Even if you get lonely…”

“Just go already,” Seowon cut him off, waving his hand to shoo him away before he could say something silly. Smiling, Iden nodded at Min and headed towards the front door.

“Seems like something’s changed between you two. A blessing in disguise, perhaps?” Min commented as they walked through the yard. Iden just gave a quiet smile in response.

**

Barely after he’d finished getting ready to go, just as Iden had said, a car arrived to pick Seowon up. Though he felt he could have found his way on his own, he understood that this wasn’t because Iden thought he’d get lost. Rather, it was to prepare for any possible sniper attacks, so Seowon got in without argument. Once inside, he realized Asher was the one behind the wheel—one of the bodyguards he’d sparred with before.

[Doing better now?] Asher asked, checking in on him.

[It wasn’t that serious to begin with. Director just made a big deal out of it.] Seowon replied matter-of-factly, catching Asher’s quick, concerned glance.

[Good to hear.]

Though brief, Asher’s reply carried a note of genuine concern.

[Why are you looking at me like that?] Seowon asked as Asher started the car.

[Nothing.] He turned his gaze back to the road, though something felt different. Not long ago, the bodyguards had clearly kept a certain distance from him. Leo, the team leader, was the most relaxed around him, probably because of his role, but even he subtly treated Seowon as though he was merely a stand-in and not the real Ha Seowon. The other guards were even more aloof. They didn’t openly ignore him, thanks to Iden’s presence, but the tension was there.

But today, Asher had initiated a conversation and seemed genuinely worried. Seowon found it strange.

[Honestly, I was surprised,] Asher eventually admitted, breaking a long silence. Seowon looked back at him, unsure what he was referring to.

[We’re trained as bodyguards, but it’s not easy to throw yourself in front of a gun. Self-preservation is an instinct, after all. We live with the thought of protecting the Director, but in the moment, freezing is normal. Everyone does, except one person: the former Captain.]

Realizing he was referring to “Ha Seowon,” Seowon made a small sound of understanding.

[It’s still confusing, your identity, I mean.]

Asher spoke frankly, laying bare his thoughts.

[It’s not just me. Everyone feels the same.]

Seowon listened quietly, understanding their confusion to some extent. After taking a deep breath, Asher continued.

[When you jumped in front of that gun, everyone’s hearts skipped a beat. None of us ever expected to see that same scene again.]

[You don’t have to understand everything,] Seowon replied calmly. [Just judge based on whether I’m useful in protecting your Consigliere or not. That’s all that matters.]

When the car stopped at a light, Asher looked back at him, his expression a mix of emotions before he let out a long sigh.

[Well, you’ve already proven that much with your entire body. No one can deny it anymore.]

He grumbled that, whether he liked it or not, he had to acknowledge it now.

[Why don’t you come back as Captain? No one would oppose it now.]

[Leo’s already doing a fine job.]

[But, ultimately, you were the one who protected the Consigliere.]

[That was just a matter of timing. If Leo had been there instead of me, he would have done the same.]

Accepting this without argument, Asher didn’t push further.

“Besides, I can’t guarantee I’ll be here forever.”

Hearing Seowon mutter this, Asher looked back, frowning as he asked what he meant in Korean. When he jokingly asked if Seowon was bad-mouthing him, Seowon laughed, shook his head, and looked out the window.

Asher’s reaction brought Seowon a sense of relief. Things seemed to have improved compared to when the bodyguards were filled with suspicion.

**

At an outdoor table in a brunch café, Iden and Liam sat across from each other. Liam casually picked up his coffee, taking a sip.

[I was hoping for a Korean-style brunch. Bit disappointing,] he murmured, looking at the salad and sandwich on the table.

[Korea doesn’t have a brunch culture, so that was wishful thinking,] Iden replied bluntly, and Liam shrugged, a bit disappointed.

[It would have been better without these guys following us, too,] Liam said, gesturing towards the bodyguards standing nearby.

[I didn’t realize you were so eager to meet your end,] Iden remarked dryly. Liam chuckled, setting his coffee down.

[Didn’t you say Korea was a safe place?]

[Usually, yes. It depends on who you’re dealing with. I’d rather not deal with the criticism if the Underboss were to die in my territory.]

His expression remained unchanged, and Liam laughed again.

[You’re just full of complaints.]

[That’s why we have the bodyguards here, even though it’s a hassle,] Iden responded, not letting a single remark slip by, though Liam brushed it off with an amused chuckle, used to his ways.

[Are you ever coming back to the U.S.? The boss seems to be quietly waiting for you.]

This time, Iden didn’t respond.

[I don’t suppose it’s because of that person, is it?] Liam asked, hinting at Seowon. Iden scoffed, dismissing the idea.

[I’ll return once the casino project here wraps up. I just figured it’d be safer here than in the States until then. It has nothing to do with him.]

[You’re sure it’s safer here? Given what I saw the other day, I’m not so convinced.]

[In the U.S., they would’ve mowed us down with machine guns.]

Liam nodded with a laugh, conceding to that point.

[But think of your father, too. Knowing you’ve bounced back has eased his mind, but he’s still uneasy until he sees you face to face.]

Iden half-listened to Liam’s talk about “parental concerns.” It was laughable. What the boss cared about wasn’t his son’s well-being but the future heir of the Luciano family.