DoHyun held onto her neck, gasping for air. Why now? She asked herself repeatedly. It wouldn't be long till the crowd starts to question her odd behavior, her inability to stand straight and why her face was suddenly red.
As she knelt there, her hopes and dreams seemed to falter before her eyes. If the Emperor finds out, if Captain Li finds out, would she be despised?
Would they call her lowly and harass her for being a Kisaeng who boldly stepped out of the garden?
The nobles seated and even the king of Qiao, what would they think of her? What would they say? Would she be allowed to compete further?
Their faces and expressions swirled in her mind, their potential scorn and ridicule echoing through her thoughts.
DoHyun's eyes blurred with tears, she feared the worst. Her mind settled on Jie Lan's last words and her eyes trembled. If she's caught now, what would become of her dream? Her parent's sacrifice?
