For an agonizing 15 days , Yoona remained in coma not even flinching a bit.
Her mother couldn't take it anymore and shouted at her "Yes!!! He broke your heart but what about our own heart you are breaking right now. He betrayed you but what is the betrayal bigger than ignoring your family and seeking death. Yoona do you still remember the day l was bullied by one of the madams, l was so scared because they were correct l really don't belong in their class, you stood up for me the way I never expected.Yoona, if they bully me again who will stand up for me?... *sobs* if this mother of yours is insulted again who will tell them that you are the rare gem not found in the whole world again?... Yoona,today we must talk it out...you must tell me who is more important to you... a perfect stranger or this mother who has been crying and praying that you look at me..."
Father Kim rushed in when he heard his wife's voice. He saw her shouting and scolding their daughter and embraced her tightly.
She melted in the embrace sobbing and gripped her husband tightly. She looked towards the place where her daughter laid motionless and that was when she saw it.
She detached herself from his embrace and made to rush towards her but he held back scolding "What now?... you want to hit the child for not waking up?"
She shook her head and pointed towards something.
"My lord , l just saw it ... Yoona's finger just fluttered"
They both rushed to her side in order to make sure it happened but was disappointed when nothing happened.They were about to give up on the hope when her eyes flickered open.
Overjoyed, father Kim rushed out to bring the doctors to take a look at her . When they entered, they became flabbergasted as this was truly a miracle.
They checked her vital signs and nodded that her condition has become stable. Yoona watched all the activities around her seemingly lost and voiced out something.
Her voice was cracked and low due to the long time of not speaking , mother Kim excitedly pressed her ears against her mouth thinking that she was about to request food but her face drained of color when she heard what her child said .
Father Kim noticed his wife's change of mood and asked her what the problem is.
With trembling hands , she pointed at her child and repeated what she said exactly...
"Who are you?"
Father Kim was dumbfounded and cautioned his wife on playing such an expensive joke on their daughter by asking her such a thing but she shook her head and with difficulty told him that's what Yoona asked her .
He rushed out again and brought back the doctors that were about to leave. He gave them a recap of what happened and they rushed in checking her again.
After the diagnosis, each doctor went to a separate corner and wrote down their diagnosis, they came back and exchanged the notes confirming that they all diagnosed the same thing. Memory loss due to trauma, can be recovered anything or never.
They prescribed some herbs that should be brewed for her to drink and doctor's advice to have hope .They departed to their respective homes wishing them the best.
Mother Kim broke down into another round of tears, something that was supposed to be tears of joy turned into tears of sorrow.
For the next 7 days, Yoona recovered completely but not her memories. Her father made a quick visit to the old residence to discuss something with his father.
The worst was far from being over and he wanted to wrap up things on his end to make sure no harm comes to his child again .
The old man flared up when he heard what his son proposed.
"You crazy child!are you drunk this morning?... You want me to remove you and your family's name from the family register? Do you know what it means?"
The younger man nodded that he knows. How can he not know that it means they will never be nobles again , they will become commoners with no background but he intended to create another identity for themselves.
The old man saw that his son has made up his mind just like that day they argued about him getting married to the slave-wife.He sighed and cancelled their name on the book and with one final look went out.
On his way out he heard it . The thing he has been yearning for a very long time to hear.
"Father"
He looked at his estranged eldest son and a streak of tear escaped from his eyes , he wiped it off and turned around to go but he did it again.
"Father... thank you"
There was no need to hold back any longer. He turned back and hugged his son letting the tears to flow, finally he let go and walked out.
The younger Kim wiped off his tears and came out of his father's house. With one final look, he scrutinized the home he grew up in and smiled.
His personal guard came to him and bowed.
"Let's go to the prime minister's manor, and you... when we are back , l want you to take the remaining chest of gold and pay off all the servants and guards, tell them their services are no longer needed including yours"
The guard knelt down before him and vowed never to leave him. He told the master that he doesn't need money to stay with them as he had vowed to serve him till his life ends.
The man stood helpless and convinced him that it's not because he doesn't value his service but because he won't be able to pay him again in the future. If they are to hand over all the shop's papers to the prime minister, nothing would be left to feed talk more of paying the servants.
The guard put his knife to his neck and swore that if his master doesn't need his services anymore then there was no need to live anymore.
He relented when he saw his loyalty.
They arrived at the prime minister's and handed the papers to the grinning evil man.
On their way out, they heard the sound of the zither playing out beautiful tunes. They stopped despite themselves to listen and was jolted back to reality when the prime minister's evil voice rang out.
"That's my daughter Seo-yun, the future empress of this nation. She's beautiful and talented, has the training and grace of an empress. Worthy of the throne... isn't she?"
Mr Kim balled his fist and swallowed hard , he turned towards the prime minister and flashed him a smile.
"Most worthy" he complimented.
Satisfied with his answer, they were ushered out of the manor and the gate was locked after them.
The man looked at the locked gate and smiled to himself, he did the right he told himself and walked home to clear his head.
At home, he debriefed his servants about the turn of events. The loyal ones swore to stay back while the fickle ones decided to leave. They were settled in gold to start their own lives elsewhere.
At the end of the day, 8 servants stayed behind including Jae joon and Seohwa together with Mr Kim's personal guards.
The rest left the house while the remaining started packing things they would be taking to the hinterland .
At one corner, Yoona is in a staring contest with her maidservant Seohwa. She is wondering why the rustic girl is following her around and calling her "Miss" while Seohwa is telling herself to never separate herself from the miss again. If she had known that her miss would be in this state where she neither remembers her name nor her family's name, she would have stuck to her like a glue.
Mtcheew, from this moment onwards, she will become her miss shadow, following her everywhere she goes.
Whatever happens, she's never letting go.