Yura paused in her work, her ears tickled by the sound of piano music.
The piece, starting with barely audible melodies and escalating into dazzling techniques, was Ravel’s “La Valse.” Familiar with the tune from frequent listening, Yura once again admired Oh Se-jin’s skills.
His playing, now stronger and more majestic than before, was truly astonishing. However, the way he played “La Valse” felt somewhat manic, almost as if it mirrored him, sending a chill down her spine.
As she observed Oh Se-jin’s performance emotionlessly, a thought formed in Yura’s mind.
‘The performance is admirable, but Oh Se-jin is just pitiable.’
If there’s someone whose performance skills could overshadow any flaws, Se-jin was the opposite. His obsessive fixation on her was, in fact, undermining his talents.
“How was it?”
After finishing the performance, Se-jin sought her opinion. What should she say? She had a clear response in mind but, remembering he was an artist scheduled for a concert at Songrim, she found a more diplomatic answer.
“It might be smoother if you relaxed a bit more.”
“Ah, the instrument is old, so it’s not well-tuned.”
Yura slightly furrowed her brows.
Blaming the instrument, not the skill, for the performance irked her. Usually, such types tend to shift all responsibility to the organizers in any arising issues.
In Yura’s memory, Se-jin always blamed his skills. He said that to perform perfectly under any conditions, one must improve their skills, not rely on the instrument. Hearing him argue differently now made him seem like a stranger.
Over the five years, Se-jin had progressed from a mere piano major to someone who could host concerts in his name.
Consequently, the way people around him perceived and treated him had significantly changed. And he seemed to accept this as a matter of course.
Therefore, his fundamental attitude might have changed from before. Even without linking it to their past relationship, it was regrettable to see a performer losing their initial sincerity.
“Is the piano for practice not ready yet?”
“Well, there’s been a bit of an issue, so not yet.”
“If you need, our team can help in some way.”
“No, my management will handle it.”
“Okay.”
Yura chose not to comment further on Se-jin’s personal overtures. If he wouldn’t listen, further discussion would be futile. She concluded that ignoring it was the best response.
Refocusing on her laptop, she expected the performance to resume, but for some reason, there was silence. Yura pretended to concentrate more on her work to ignore this stillness.
After a while, Se-jin, who had been silent all along, broke the quiet.
“Did you enjoy your trip?”
At his question, Yura suddenly remembered the wedding thank-you gifts she had brought. She had no desire to give one to him, but not giving it might make it more significant.
“Thanks to your concern, the trip went well. Here’s a small token of appreciation.”
“I don’t care for gifts that everyone gets.”
Se-jin looked at the gift with indifference, not even bothering to unwrap it. He placed it on the piano with a displeased expression.
“I’m not just anyone.”
Yura felt twisted inside at his ungrateful response, but she maintained her consistent politeness and bowed her head.
“If you are displeased, I apologize. We unified the thank-you gifts.”
“You are always consistent, Yura. That’s why I like you.”
Yura’s eyes grew cold at his inscrutable words.
The early meeting hosted by Lee Hyun was tense, like walking on thin ice. The atmosphere was so fraught that any small mistake could have led to a major issue.
The meeting, more of a report than a discussion, was always a heavy and nerve-wracking time for everyone involved.
There was an expectation that Lee Hyun might have become somewhat more lenient after his wedding, but today he was sharper than ever, causing everyone to be extra cautious of his mood.
“So, what’s the reason for the construction halt?”
“Uh, it’s due to a delay in material supply.”
“Why did I put you in those positions?”
His cool, cutting words silenced the executives like mute spectators. Lee Hyun was infuriated by the deviation from the original plan.
Already frustrated by personal matters, seeing his executives, who were supposed to solve problems, just sitting idly, ignited his anger further.
“You are seated there to solve issues that arise, not to be spectators. If you want to just watch, do it at home with the news. Do you understand?”
“…Yes.”
“We’ll reconvene this afternoon.”
Announcing the end of the fruitless meeting, Lee Hyun stood up. Secretary Ahn, who was by his side, opened the door of the meeting room. Lee Hyun, without turning back, spoke in a heavy voice.
“Bring solutions to the afternoon meeting.”
As he left the meeting room, Secretary Ahn relayed a schedule change Lee Hyun had requested.
“CEO Baek Jin-ho has agreed to lunch. The location is the newly opened Arcanus.”
“Let’s go.”
“Okay.”
Lee Hyun, responding to Secretary Ahn, headed to the underground parking lot for a late lunch.
The Villainous Demon Lord Laid an Egg for Her (Female-Dominated)
Several months after transmigrating into a book, Yu Wu found herself facing the demon lord Li You, who could no longer conceal his dragon horns. With one hand on her aching waist and the other gripping a sharp sword, she stared at him.
The demon lord’s eyes were red with fury:
“This is all your doing! Today, I won’t rest until I kill you!”
Yu Wu rubbed her temples. Putting aside the taboo against bloodshed during pregnancy, wasn’t it this very man who willingly walked into her trap that day?!
Warnings:
- Male pregnancy.
- Height ratios are set to mirror typical male-female height proportions.
- Characters include a foot-loving demon lord and an eldest daughter from an immortal family’s concubine lineage.
