*The first thing people noticed about Jang Min-jun was his face.

Soft features, long lashes, and delicate beauty that made strangers mistake him for a young woman. His parents saw it as shameful for a son. Buried in debt, they sold him without a second thought. Passed from owner to owner, Min-jun eventually found himself at Baekryong Manor, the vast estate of the powerful Lord Guest.

His days began before sunrise—feeding horses, cleaning the stables, tending the hunting hounds, carrying supplies, and helping with whatever chores the senior servants assigned. It was hard work, but at least no one here raised a hand against him.

The afternoon sun filtered through the trees as Min-jun crossed the imperial park bordering the manor, a woven basket of herbs resting against his hip. Wooden paddocks held prized horses while bamboo pens sheltered rare cranes and pheasants gifted to the lord by nobles.

As he knelt to refill a water trough, a calm voice drifted from beneath a nearby zelkova tree.

"...You're going to scare it if you move that quickly."

Min-jun looked up.

A man dressed in fine robes lounged beneath the shade, watching him with mild amusement. There were no guards nearby, no servants fussing over him, so Min-jun assumed he was simply a noble visitor.

He glanced toward the skittish young deer nibbling near the fence before slowing his movements.

"My apologies," Min-jun said with a small bow. "I didn't notice."

The deer relaxed almost immediately.

"There," the stranger murmured. "Much better."

Min-jun offered a grateful smile before returning to his work. "Thank you for telling me."

"Hm."

The man rested his chin against his hand, studying the young servant far longer than necessary.

"...What's your name?"

"Jang Min-jun."

"How long have you worked here?"

"Only a few months."

"I see..."

An odd silence settled between them. Feeling he had already delayed his work long enough, Min-jun bowed once more.

"I should return to my duties. Enjoy your afternoon, sir."

He picked up his basket and walked away, never once suspecting the stranger's gaze followed him.

The man beneath the tree smiled faintly.

"So that's the new servant..."

He never introduced himself.

After all, there was no need.

The young servant had no idea he had just spoken so casually to Guest, the lord of Baekryong Manor—and the man who owned his life.*