The first experience of social life was indeed not easy.

Noticing this, Mo Na would sometimes give Se Eun work when Jang Ha Yeon, the owner, was inside.

Of course, most of it had nothing to do with design work.

In such situations, Se Eun researched jewelry in her spare time.

Fortunately, Jang Ha Yeon fully understood her position as an ‘intern’ and generously allowed Se Eun to study on her own.

“Oh my, Se Eun. Is that a lunchbox?”

“Ah… yes.”

The design team manager sitting next to Se Eun spoke to her as she was about to go out for lunch.

She had planned to take it out slowly after everyone left, but had unconsciously pulled out the lunchbox because she was hungry.

“Who packed it for you? Don’t tell me it was your husband?”

“That… that’s right.”

“Oh my…”

Thanks to her exclamation with her mouth wide open, some team members who were heading towards the door turned back.

Their reactions were no less enthusiastic.

Their eyes widened at once when they saw Se Eun’s lunchbox.

“Wow~ What’s this? A love-filled lunchbox?”

“It looks so delicious! And why is it so cute? Rabbit-shaped rice, poodle-shaped rolled eggs, and heart-shaped ham? My goodness! It’s overflowing with love, truly overflowing.”

“Wow. This is why Se Eun eats packed lunches. The cafeteria must not be satisfying enough. Your husband must love you tremendously!”

“Ah, no. It’s not like that.”

Embarrassed, Se Eun gently covered the lunchbox with both hands.

In truth, she didn’t go to the cafeteria because of her uncomfortable leg.

Originally, Sun Woo, who had told her to walk proudly without minding, suddenly barged into the company on the first day, saw the atmosphere, and started packing lunches for her from the next day.

Since the appearance of the lunchbox was unusual, she had been deliberately taking it out when no one was looking, but today she made a careless mistake.

“No, it is. It’s truly out-of-this-world dedication…”

“What are you all doing? I guess you’re not hungry?”

A sharp voice cut through the flood of compliments.

Mo Na was standing firmly in front of the door, narrowing her eyes and looking this way.

As if on cue, everyone hesitated and then quickly slipped out of the office.

In the suddenly awkward atmosphere, Se Eun hurriedly closed the lunchbox lid.

For some reason, she didn’t want to show this precious lunchbox to Mo Na of all people.

But Mo Na, who was expected to leave right away, took big strides towards Se Eun’s seat.

“…What’s this?”

“Ah. This…”

What Mo Na was glaring at wasn’t the luxurious lunchbox packed by Ki Sun Woo.

It was her mother’s work notebook placed next to Se Eun’s left hand.

Mo Na’s eyes were filled with fierce hostility as she looked at it.

“You dare bring such a thing and look at it. I guess elder sister doesn’t know what guilt is?”

“…”

At Mo Na’s words, sharper than a knife stabbing her heart, Se Eun was at a loss for words.

“Elder sister Se Eun. Do you know why I haven’t touched the materials aunt left behind? Because I want to rise honestly with my own strength. But you, wanting to advance quickly, are shamelessly using tricks…”

“That, that’s not it, Mo Na.”

“What do you mean it’s not? Elder sister is doing this because you’ve become greedy after grandfather’s announcement, right?”

Se Eun’s stomach began to churn at Mo Na’s expression as she ground her teeth.

Although they were in the office, there were only the two of them now.

She didn’t want to be hit.

Now that she had come to know someone’s gentle touch, she painfully realized how much the opposite kind of touch hurt and tormented.

“Why aren’t you answering? Feeling guilty?”

“…Mo Na.”

Fortunately, Mo Na didn’t raise her hand.

Instead, she made what seemed like a well-prepared declaration of war.

“Elder sister. Let me tell you in advance, that brand is mine.”

“…”

“What have you done for the past 20 years? Nothing but stay cooped up at home? I came here to carry on grandfather’s will and aunt’s last wishes. Unlike you who’s pathetic, I want to create Ko San’s brand with my own hands.”

Every word hurt so much.

Even for Se Eun, it was the first time she learned that her mother had tried to create Ko San Group’s signature jewelry during her lifetime.

If it were Ko Yeon Hwa, she would have surely become the owner of a truly excellent brand.

If only that accident hadn’t happened…

Suddenly, Se Eun felt a familiar chill.

That nightmarish day when she was eight was a day of the coldest wave in years.

Unfortunately, the tire malfunctioned on the icy road, leading to that tragic accident.

Se Eun’s family was on their way to the airport.

What important business was her mother going to do?

Since it was known that it wasn’t for travel purposes, everyone wondered why they were trying to go abroad with such a young daughter.

Because she was too young, not being able to hear her mother’s intentions always remained like a hard lump in her heart.

As well as the whereabouts of the Queen’s Tear.

“Are you listening? As always, you’re just infuriatingly keeping your mouth shut.”

“…I heard you. Don’t worry. I… don’t intend to be greedy like that either.”

“Good. At least you understand. Well, with your leg in that state, I suppose you’d know your place. Right?”

How could she choose only such hurtful words?

The pain in her leg, which she had forgotten for a while, seemed to rise again.

With a scornful snicker, Mo Na turned around and left.

As only silence remained, her fingertips, which had been holding back, began to tremble.

Trying hard to regain her composure, Se Eun quickly opened her lunchbox again.

There was something Ki Sun Woo had earnestly asked her when packing the lunchbox.

That everything comes from the strength of a meal, so no matter what happens, don’t skip meals.

When she opened the lid, the cute lunchbox she had seen earlier revealed itself.

In an instant, without realizing it, tears welled up in Se Eun’s eyes.

At the same time, her nose stung.

Still, there was one person in this world who packed a lunchbox for someone like her.

*

As afternoon came, the hands of the design team all quickened at once.

They said it was a busy time preparing for the next season.

Amidst this, Se Eun felt somewhat awkward, feeling like she was the only one idly doing nothing.

Unconsciously, Se Eun began sketching on the blank pages at the back of her mother’s notebook.

Just as it came to mind, literally unconsciously.

From some point, she didn’t even realize she was moving the pencil.

She became aware of this action thanks to a calm voice from above her head.

“Hm? This is pretty good. Did you draw this, Se Eun?”

“…Ma, Madam!”

Startled, Se Eun looked up to see Jang Ha Yeon intently looking down at the notebook.

“This is… Senior Yeon Hwa’s.”

“Ah… yes.”

An indescribable emotion flashed across Jang Ha Yeon’s expression.

But only for a moment, as she picked it up with a look of joy.

“Hmm. It’s a bit clumsy, but it’s good. It has a feeling to it.”

Bewildered, Se Eun could only stare at Jang Ha Yeon with wide eyes, unable to even respond.

Soon, a radical statement flowed from her lips.

“How about Se Eun participates in designing this line?”

“…Pardon?”

At this radical proposal, it was felt that the entire design team pricked up their ears.

Especially Shin Mo Na, who openly craned her neck to glance this way.

“I hear your grandfather made an interesting announcement. You’d need to actually be able to make jewelry to even try something, right?”

“Ah…”

Se Eun glanced sideways towards Mo Na.

It hadn’t even been half a day since she made that declaration of war.

“I’m sorry. I’m not yet…”

“Come on. What do you mean ‘not yet’? And I’m just saying you should try participating, not that we’ll definitely adopt your design. Our designs are no joke, you know.”

“Ah…”

“You’ve joined the design team anyway, so you’re not going to never do design, right? Don’t think too hard about it, just give it a try. Looking at your drawing reminds me of your mom from the old days.”

Jang Ha Yeon’s last words became the reason Se Eun couldn’t ultimately refuse.

At the same time, it also became the catalyst that amplified Shin Mo Na’s anger.

“By the way, I’m thinking of focusing on raw gemstones for this line. We have various raw stones in the warehouse, so pick out what you want within reason.”

Saying that, Jang Ha Yeon left for another external meeting.

Unable to bear the chilly atmosphere in the office, Se Eun immediately slipped out and headed to the warehouse.

The cold hadn’t yet subsided, causing her breath to fog, but at least it was better than being in the same space as Mo Na.

“Raw stones…”

Maybe it was for the best.

Se Eun had never properly learned about jewelry design, so she was no different from a layman.

As such, it would have been unreasonable to master professional techniques in a short time.

But when it came to raw stones, she had seen many in her mother’s notebooks.

Ko Yeon Hwa had paid considerable attention to unprocessed natural stones, as well as well-cut gems.

Se Eun too, fascinated by the beautiful stones her mother showed her, used to draw in her sketchbook with various imaginings in her childish mind.

Things like necklaces a princess might wear, or a wizard’s staff.

“Oh?”

Suddenly, Sun Woo’s words flashed through Se Eun’s mind.

‘Little girls are often good at drawing too. Pretty dresses or… you know, jewels and such.’

Surely he hadn’t said that after seeing her sketchbook.

Though she thought it couldn’t be, now that she had joined this company under his pressure, it didn’t seem entirely coincidental.

Perhaps because she was thinking of Ki Sun Woo.

Something caught Se Eun’s eye as she rummaged through the warehouse.

A smooth, shiny raw stone that looked like honey, or a well-ripened sweet potato.

It was amber.

A gem that resembled Sun Woo’s deep and beautiful eyes.

Why? At this moment, Se Eun was convinced that the most beautiful gem was just like his eyes.

Those eyes that captivate and entrance the beholder at a glance.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Se Eun picked up that most beautiful stone.

As if by magic, at this moment, she sincerely wanted to try designing.