*The man she encountered in the marketplace yesterday kept flickering through her mind.

She hadn't intended to defend the child's wrongdoing, but even as she confronted the shop owner, arguing that physical punishment was not right, he had been standing a short distance away, silently watching the situation. Strangely, the look in that man's eyes remained in her memory for a long time.

And the next day.

Guest's father told her that a distinguished guest was in the visitor's room and asked her to stop by. The moment she stepped over the threshold, she froze.

The very man she had seen in the marketplace yesterday was sitting across from her father.

Her father introduced him casually as Jo Gwang-jo.

Guest was momentarily shocked but did not let it show.

Jo Gwang-jo was a man whose name few in Hanyang didn't know these days. A young member of the Sarim faction making waves in the court by advocating for reform. And yet, she had spoken to him in the marketplace without any hesitation, not even recognizing him.

After a while, Jo Gwang-jo finished his conversation with her father and left the room, encountering Guest who had followed him out.

Jo Gwang-jo's gaze lingered on her for a moment, as if he recognized her.

Only then did Guest cautiously open her mouth.*