Chae Joochul, the chairman of the Daehyun Group, had a unique and world-famous hobby.
He collected castles.
Yes, castles. Of all types and styles: from the most extravagant to the most austere, ancient constructions or modern reproductions. And, as far as anyone knew, his collection already exceeded a hundred.
A taste as great as the man himself.
After all, Chae Joochul wasn't just a tycoon. He was the "Immortal", a legendary figure who did everything he could to stay on top, and succeeded. One of the strongest beings of the current era, possessing a power that aroused reverence wherever he went.
Today, what you saw there was just a shadow of what it once was. A shell. His Gift, powerful enough to make him where he was, had also taken its toll, and had gradually consumed his feelings, turning him into what stood before Theo now.
The face he displayed was inexpressive. Empty. As if there were only a body left, devoid of any emotion.
'Uh... Totally inexpressive. Really consistent with the descriptions I've read.'
Chae Joochul was over eighty years old, but no one would have guessed that at first glance.
His appearance was that of a man in his forties. Upright posture, well-kept white hair, firm, almost immaculate skin. But it was the look, or lack of it, that revealed his true nature.
He didn't just look younger. He seemed suspended in time.
Like a living statue, cold and solemn, shaped by decades of silence, battles and brutal decisions.
"Come, sit down, you two."
Nayun's father's voice cut through Theo's brief thoughts, as the man pointed to the chairs in front of the table.
Theo and Nayun obeyed, approaching side by side. As they walked, Theo briefly looked away from his future father-in-law.
Shinhyuk had the same green eyes as his sons, and sported a perfectly trimmed goatee beard. He wasn't a genius like his father or his two sons, but that didn't matter, he was a man of vision and control. The kind of person who held the economy of an entire nation in the palm of his hand.
'Son of a tiger, tiger always will be.'
So they said, and so far, everything around him confirmed it.
"Good evening, Mr. Shinhyuk. Mr. Joochul."
Said Theo with a slight inclination of his head, his tone firm, his words sounding without hesitation, Theo clearly taking the introduction seriously.
"It's an honor to meet you in person."
Even Nayun next to him raised an eyebrow at her boyfriend's composed tone.
"Of course, if you wish I can call you father and grandfather..."
The atmosphere became dense for a moment. The sound of the old clock on the wall seemed louder than it should have been. Theo stood up straight, his gaze steady, even though he felt a slight shiver run up the back of his neck.
Nayun turned her face slowly towards him, her eyes wide.
Nayun murmured, almost as a warning.
Chae Shinhyuk, in front of them, blinked once. His eyes narrowed, and his fingers crossed on the table moved slightly and he continued without saying anything.
Chae Joochul, on the other hand, didn't move a muscle.
He just stared at Theo. As if he was analyzing his every atom. As if he could see through the flesh, the soul, the bravado.
The tension remained for long seconds until...
He paused, casting a brief but significant glance at Nayun, before continuing:
"And courage is what we respect."
It was just as Theo had suspected from the start. The Chae family, known for their strength and roots in society, wouldn't value someone who was shy or submissive to the point of passivity. Acting too reverently, as if you were stepping on eggs, would not be appreciated.
This moment wasn't just a presentation, it was a test. Possibly orchestrated by Nayun's father himself.
Without missing a beat, he pulled up one of the chairs, tilting his head slightly in a polite gesture to Nayun.
She said, smiling naturally as she sat down.
Theo settled down next to her, now face to face with two of South Korea's most influential and imposing figures: Chae Shinhyuk and Chae Joochul.
He stared at them calmly, his eyes calm but attentive.
'I was more anxious to meet Nayun's brother than her grandfather and father...'
In fact, the idea of facing his father and grandfather, and the leader of the Daehyun empire and the Korean money lord, sounded more intimidating in theory. But in practice, it wasn't fear that he felt.
There was, of course, a slight touch of anxiety, small, almost insignificant, after all, those men were still her closest relatives, after her brother.
But it was different with Chae Jinyoon.
With him, the feeling was denser, making him even uneasy. Theo knew how much that name carried in Nayun's life. A symbol that mixed longing, pain and hope. He wasn't just the older brother, he was a link.
Chae Jinyoon represented something that none of the others could, Nayun's fragile, emotional side. The part that even she herself didn't show easily.
While she was thinking, Chae Shinhyuk had opened a folder on the table, revealing precisely organized documents. There was nothing overtly confidential in there, but the way the man's eyes scanned each sheet made it clear: this was about him.
Research and reports. All traces of Theo's life, perhaps since before he joined Cube.
Theo wasn't surprised. Ever since he had met Nayun's father when he took her to the hospital, he had imagined that a man like him, someone who loved his children and family tooth and nail, would certainly investigate anyone who approached his daughter.
It was then that Shinhyuk spoke, with a direct tone but without any hostility.
"Theo Sagan... I'm someone who values my children's opinion and feelings above all else. I'm not the type to stand in the way of relationships. But..."
He pushed the papers slightly towards the center of the table, without taking his eyes off Theo
"What you have... is it something really serious?"
The information that Theo had been in South Korea for less than a month further reinforced Nayun's father's concern about our relationship.
"Of course. I swear on the name and surname my family gave me, that I love Nayun."
Theo remained upright in his chair, his steady eyes meeting Chae Shinhyuk's. He understood the meaning of the question.
He understood the meaning of the question, but didn't hesitate.
He replied, his voice without any tremor.
Pausing briefly, he added:
"I swear on the name and surname that my father and mother gave me... That I love Nayun, and that she will never regret being with me."
It was a straightforward declaration, with no frills, but full of conviction. There was no theatrics, no attempt to impress, just the truth.
Nayun, standing next to her, widened her eyes slightly in surprise at the way Theo had said it so openly, and in front of her father and grandfather.
Her cheeks changed color without her realizing it.
But even though she was embarrassed, the smile that appeared on her lips was enough to catch the eye of her father, who looked at her in disbelief.
Chae Shinhyuk briefly lost his rigidity. The serious expression gave way to something harder to decipher: perhaps a glimmer of understanding.
He knew that smile, it was the same smile his wife had given him when she was alive.
"If you can keep that smile on her... Then maybe you really do deserve to sit at our table."