Chapter Text
Nayeon shut the door of her white Maserati Quattroporte car with a huff. It was six and almost dark. She doesn’t go home that early. However, she received a call from her mother that she needed to go home as soon as possible, for a talk. The call was already dropped before she could even protest.
The door was opened by servants and feet stepped inside the more than fifteen-thousand-square-foot mansion owned by Im. Walls higher than trees, elegant sparkling chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, large windows with curtains draping, pieces of the most expensive furnitures in the world. In short, Nayeon lives in a luxurious colonial mansion guarded by at least twenty servants and ten lookouts.
When Nayeon entered her father’s office, she found her father on his desk reading a piece of paper and her mother sitting on the couch keeping herself occupied with her phone.
"What is this about?" Nayeon grumbled as the door closed behind her. She sat on the couch near her mother and added, "I’m supposed to have dinner with Jihyo and Sana."
Nayeon’s mother came to sit beside her and hugged her from the side, leaving a small kiss on her head like a child, "Hi, honey. How’s your day?"
Nayeon hummed and mumbled her response, leaning to the touch. Nayeon’s father who’s about at the age of fifties came walking on their area, dropping an envelope on the coffee table.
“What’s this, Nayeon?”
Nayeon shrugged, laying herself comfortably on the couch, “I don’t know. A paper?”
Her father fizzed lowly, groaning at the response he had received. His fingers came to caress his nape to calm himself down.
“Open it up.”
Nayeon reached into the envelope and slipped out the paper underneath. She revealed her failing marks from her midterms, the assessments that went to descend in some language and literature subjects.
“What’s with it?” Nayeon whined. She has already gotten used to the rating of her professors ever since her first year.
“You’re failing, again.” Her father was raising his voice in every word which made her mother flinch in her seat but Nayeon unmoved.
“Darling, please. Lower your voice.” Her mother intervened, shushing through the intensity of the conversation.
“There’s nothing new here, Dad.” Nayeon breathed out, throwing the paper on the table, but it flew onto the floor.
“How can you fail?” Her father stated sternly, “It’s your third year, Nayeon. You should be learning by now.”
Nayeon rolled her eyes, whining at the words she was used to hearing at the end of every term. It happened, and it was probably the fifth time she had received a rebuke.
“Can’t you just pay the professors like you used to? Or slipped some money into the university like you always do at the end of the year to keep me on track?” Nayeon rebutted.
Her father’s blood was raised to his head. His face turned to a scowl and his eyes turned to glare at his daughter, “No! This is your third year and you should be learning on your own. You won’t be the next queen if you’re like this!”
“Dad—“
“No, Nayeon. Keep up your grades on your own, or else you know where this will end.” Her father lost his patience and walked back to his desk without a glance at his daughter. “These are not the qualities that a queen has, Nayeon. I want you to do better.”
Nayeon was left in shock. She was staring at the paper on the ground and unable to speak. It wasn’t what she wanted in the first place, but she has to live with what’s in front of her.
That's what it's like to be in the Im bloodline. Always competitive and active. They’re known for being the best in public charitable service and international agreements. It was a hard thing to carry on Nayeon’s back. She’s not into any of that, but she is forced to study. Language and literature are the closest things one needs to learn to qualify as the dynasty's heir. The House of Im’s have properties and wealth in every corner of the country, which is unknown to the public, even businesses that their family ran. Some of her father's siblings went to other countries, and some raised their own enterprises. That’s why Nayeon’s family is the only one who can inherit the empire. Nayeon’s father is the eldest and it's his responsibility to run the Im dynasty, making him the imperial highness king, which made Nayeon the princess, and in a short time she will be the next queen of the Im dynasty, which might be the last line of the Im she doesn’t do well.
“You went missing last night. Where did you go?” Sana asked as she retouched her lip with a pale red lipstick.
Nayeon came out of the cubicle with a wincing face at the odor of the restroom. She went to wash her hands in the sink and replied, “Have an urgent meeting with my dad.”
Sana giggled, “I could guess that its all about your midterm grades?”
Jihyo went out of the other cubicle with a playful grin displayed on her lips, “I’m not even surprised, Nayeon. You’re not even making an effort to improve.”
“What makes you think I failed again?” Tissue dried her hands, and Nayeon snorted, glowering at her two friends.
Jihyo mocked her. She cracked a laugh while washing her own hands. After being friends for almost a decade, Jihyo knows Nayeon so well that she even gets to know what it means when Nayeon moves a finger or when Nayeon goes home for an urgent meeting.
“Then what miracle happened that you have to go home?” Jihyo asked puckishly.
“We just have to talk about another proposed charity.”
Sana and Jihyo blurted out chuckles together. Obviously, they were not impressed with Nayeon’s rationality and the way she was switching her eyes in every corner of the room made it perceptible that she was lying.
“Come on, Nayeon. We both know you don’t give a damn about that.” Sana mumbled softly, not convinced of her words.
Nayeon remained unspoken, fixing the collar of her blouse while looking through the mirror. She knew her friends knew her so well that she didn’t even have to say utter out every detail of what happened.
A familiar woman walked into the restroom wearing ripped baggy jeans and a loose sweater. She had hazelnut hair and dots plotted on her pale face, carrying her tote bag.
“Can you clean the cube right there? I think someone changed their diaper, it smells so fucking bad.”
Nayeon never missed an opportunity to tease her, and her smirk appeared as soon as she saw her.
“Shut up, Im Nayeon.” The woman mumbled under her breath, “I don’t have enough energy to deal with you.”
Nayeon playfully laughed as she watched the woman glare at her, “Oh! I’m sorry, I thought you were a janitor.”
“Hey! Don’t be so harsh.” Sana insinuates herself between the two of them. She patted the other woman’s shoulder, showing her popular cheeky smile. “Hi, Mina.”
“Hey, Mina.” Jihyo spoke up as well, genuinely beaming at Mina.
Mina slightly smiled at the two other ladies in the restroom, except for Nayeon. Piercing her eyes at Nayeon, who was still laughing and making fun of her.
The three women walked out of the restroom as Mina minded her own business.
“Don’t talk to Mina like that. She’s one of the top students in the whole university. She’s in her second year but the subjects she’s taking are like really advanced. ” Sana divulged softly as they walked down to the massive hallway of the best english university in the country, JYP University.
“I don’t care.” Nayeon mumbled.
“She’s also the journalist who actively writes for newspapers here.” Jihyo added, as she glanced at sneered at Nayeon, “I won’t be shocked if there’s an article written there like ‘Im Nayeon from Im Empire failed her first semester again’”
Jihyo and Sana laughed in unison as Nayeon kept her poker face mocking their expressions.
“As if she could do that to the royal princess of Im empire.”
“Princess Nayeon, your father told me he’s waiting for you in his office and you have to go there now.” A servant said as soon as she walked inside the royal residence.
Nayeon mentally groaned and rolled her eyes. What does he want at this time? Nayeon mumbled to herself as she swayed her handbag in the air in her way to the office. She recalled all the things she did that day, but nothing bad happened, except for teasing the journalist, Mina.
The door shut closed and Nayeon wasn’t surprised to find both of her parents in the office. Of course, her father was always at the limit when it comes to her academic studies.
“Hi, sweetie.” Her mother greeted gently.
“Hey, guys.” Nayeon proceeded to kiss her mother on her cheek and slowly inclined to press a kiss on her father for a greeting. It was supposed to lighten up the mood, and somehow it did. Her father wasn’t scowling anymore.
Seated on the comfortable couch, Nayeon asked. “What’s up?”
“Your Dad and I actually thought about this thoroughly.” Her mother started. Another folded paper was released from a white envelope. “Because it seems like you’re failing all of your subjects.”
Her parents went to sit on the couch across from her. Nayeon smiled softly, as if it was nothing. It didn’t affect her that much because she knew her parents would do anything to patch up the mess.
“We’re getting you a personal instructor.” Her father disclosed it immediately.
Nayeon laughed. Thinking it was all just a joke, but she realized her parents were looking at her sternly and unimpressed. She chuckled, “You’re joking, right?”
“Honey, they will help you with your studies. Think of it as if you’re learning a sport in papers or something.” Her mother explained softly, keeping her voice smooth to balance the mood.
“Mom, are you serious? What are you saying?” Nayeon let out a sarcastic laugh, “You’re getting me tutored as if I’m in second grade.”
“Nayeon, you’re failing.” Her father clarified, “We received a letter that you are failing all your subjects.”
“So?” Nayeon scoffed, “Pay them! That’s what you have been doing for the past two years!”
As much as her father wanted to restrain his emotions, he couldn’t. Nayeon is spoiled and he needed to stop her from getting what she wanted. He needed to find a way to get what he planned for his daughter’s future. That time, he needed to do what he wanted for his daughter because it was the best for her.
“We’re getting you a tutor, and that’s final.” Her father stood up and walked towards his desk to collect his stuff, “We’re talking to the department head tomorrow.”
Nayeon groaned, stomping her feet on the shiny floor and making her way towards her father. Annoyed at her father’s decision. “You’re not getting me a tutor. I’m not in grade school!”
Her father blew thin air from his mouth, “Then why are you failing these subjects?”
Nayeon remained silent, breathing heavily and glaring at her father. The fact that she didn’t study at all was the main reason. Because she knows that whatever she does, her name and reputation will fix it for her.
“You’re smart, Nayeon. I don’t know, maybe you’re distracted from your studies? But it’s alright. The tutor will help you.” Her mom spoke up from her couch, trying to lift the heated conversation.
“I don’t want a tutor!” Nayeon exclaimed.
Her father loses his patience. Unsmilingly, he went to his feet and walked towards the door, ignoring Nayeon’s complain.
Before he stepped out of the office, he declared. “You will have a tutor and you will pass this semester on your own, or else I will cut off all your privileges and lock you in this house. Mark my words, Nayeon.”
Nayeon couldn’t say anything. It was the first time she heard her father say something that serious. It actually scared her because she knew her father would no longer listen to her whining about her academic studies. She let him down for the last two years, and even if she says she’ll do better, her father won’t believe her anymore.
"Unnie! Dean is currently searching for you. She’s asking me to find you. " It was Yuna, the youngest member of the journalism organization and a freshman English major student who also became her friend.
"What for?" Mina arrived at the university after her morning shift at the cafe. She immediately furrowed her eyebrows and started thinking of any meetings and appointments allotted for that day, but there was nothing popping up in her mind.
Yuna raised her shoulders lightly and curving her lip, “I don’t know but there are guests inside her office.”
“Guests?” Mina was confused. Hand scratching the back of her head and went inside the office.
The room was filled with murmuring and a magnificent opulent scent from the two unfamiliar guests. Mina felt her lungs drop as she gazed at the dean, thinking she did something wrong and also intimidated by their lavish appearance.
“Mina! Finally!”
Miss Eunji the head of language and literature department came to greet her with the brightest smile and gently tugging her to the small living area of the office.
“We have guests today.” She added.
Mina gripped the cloth from her tote bag. Letting out forced chuckles as she curved her head forward for a greeting, “Good afternoon, sir and miss.”
Two adults laughed at Mina’s tense posture. The dean reached out to rub Mina’s arm and giggled at her. Mina is seated on the couch facing the couple and looks like a rich married couple. Eunji exchanged some talks with the other older woman regarding subjects such as post-colonial literature, the history of the English language, and phonetics. There were papers spattered on the coffee table that she couldn’t clearly read. All the older man did was listen and nod his head, reading the stapled syllabus.
Eunji ended the discussion with an air of relief, and Mina was not able to understand why she was seated between them, listening to their conversation that ended with an agreement.
"This is Mina, a top student with excellent grades since her first year and an active journalist here at the university." The dean stated her case thoroughly, bringing up her qualities. "She’ll be the one who can help your daughter and be her personal tutor."
Mina widen her eyes and glanced at head department, “I’m sorry, Miss. I will.. what?”
The other older woman began to utter the sudden settlement without her knowing, “We’re actually asking for your assistance to give our daughter some help regarding her studies.”
Mina gasped, gazing at her dean. She whispered almost stuttering, “Miss.. you know I can’t. I’m working after class.”
There were stapled papers, and they swiftly moved on the coffee table in front of her. It was written with terms and conditions, nothing complicated, but all she had to do was teach and let the student learn on their own. The conclusion should be that the student must pass the term on their own without any form of cheating. There weren’t many rules that embroiled her routine, and at the bottom of the paper, it had a price per session that made Mina gasp internally.
Eunji did not utter anything and let the two adults tell Mina the condition.
“So, as you can see from the contract, you will keep this between us and make it look like my daughter is your study buddy. ”
Mina read through the paper, and she really didn’t need to think twice. A session was as price as her eight-hour rate at the coffee shop. The other page tells about the other student. It was all hinting at notorious and infamous traits. Mina looked through other written terms, ended at last where her signature was needed.
This agreement is made as of this day, August 14, 2024, between, Myoi Mina (with consent of the head of Language and Literature Department, Dean Jung Eunji) and Im Chang-Joon, together with Im Se-ah (on behalf of Im Nayeon). This contract will be the proof that Myoi Mina accords to the written statement through this paper and accepts the plea without informing anyone in the public.
Mina re-read that part of the paper. It all began to sink in. Without any idea that she was talking to the imperial highness, king and queen of the Im. Her muscles began shaking and her mind was melting.
“Im Nayeon?” Mina didn’t mean to say the name out loud, it slipped through her intimidation.
“Yes.” Se-ah, Nayeon’s mother responded softly, “She’s our daughter. I’m guessing, you know her?”
Mina let out a nervous chuckle because she hates Nayeon and doesn’t think Nayeon will like any of that setup. Considering that it was written on the agreement that Mina would be the head of every session, Nayeon will lose her mind.
“I-I, yeah, of course. But I don’t think Nayeon will like any of this, Queen Se-ah.” Mina gulped heavily as she met Nayeon’s mother’s gaze.
Se-ah beamed lightly, easing Mina’s fraught. “We talked to Nayeon about this, Mina. Don’t worry.”
Industrious. Mina uses that word to describe herself, and maybe that’s why she accepted the duty right away. Mina has always wanted to live above the ground or maybe live in a two-story house. That’s why she makes extra effort to keep them alive without rumblings in their stomach. Her mother works as a helper and her father died when she was eight due to sickness. That makes them two, fighting for their way to live with no one helping them. She watched her mom work day and night to keep her in school. One day, Mina came to the realization that she wanted to make her mom enjoy her life before she grew old.
Efforts and intelligence keep her on track. She was doing well in her studies until one morning when she awoke to learn that her scholarship had been granted at one of the best English universities. Mina will do everything to save her mom from future indigence and will keep her ambition to get what she desires.