As the moon cast an eerie glow on the forest, the sound of the wheels on the dirt road was the only thing breaking the silence. Sook Yeon-Ji sat motionless in the chariot, her face expressionless as she stared at the tassel in her hand. The soft swaying of the vehicle, coupled with the rhythmic sound of the horses' hooves, gave the atmosphere an eerie, haunting feeling.
The trees loomed above them, casting shadows that danced on the ground, creating a sense of mystery and danger. Sook Yeon-Ji's eyes followed the tassel's every move as it swayed back and forth, hypnotizing her as they travelled deeper into the forest.
Despite the stillness of her face, her mind was buzzing with thoughts and plans. She was on a mission to fulfil her revenge, and she wouldn't stop until she had accomplished it. The tassel in her hand was a reminder of what she had love, a symbol of her unforgettable love and revenge.
As they continued their journey through the dark forest, the only sound was the creaking of the chariot and the occasional whinny of the horses. Sook Yeon-Ji's face remained stoic as she focused on her mission, ready to face whatever dangers lay ahead.
She tightly grasped the tassel and closing her eyes to revisit the memories of yesteryear. The springtime had been blissful, as Sook Yeon-Ji and her servant Jian-Chul rode a chariot towards the Cheongug Kingdom for the first time. In an instant, her hairpin had slipped from her locks and tumbled onto the ground. That was when she saw Crown Prince Hyeon Jun-Woo astride his horse, observing the situation. He immediately halted the chariot, prompting the driver to question the obstruction.
But the Prince had noticed the hairpin and, with chivalry in his heart, had come to her aid. Sook Yeon-Ji could only glance at him briefly, her gaze veiled by the curtain that separated them. Jian-Chul had offered to retrieve the hairpin, but Sook Yeon-Ji had insisted on taking it herself. She had inquired, in her sweet voice, if the Prince was someone she knew.
The memory faded away as quickly it had come, and Sook Yeon-Ji found herself before the house of Justice Minister Yun Bok-Ho. A wicked smile crept across her face as she stepped down from the chariot, ready to execute her devious plan.
She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts, and looked up at the house of the Justice Minister Yun Bok-Ho. The house was surrounded by tall trees, casting eerie shadows in the moonlight.
Sook Yeon-Ji couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding as she approached the entrance. She took a deep breath and knocked on the door, waiting for a response. The door slowly creaked open, revealing an old man with a stern look on his face.
"Who are you?" he asked, eyeing her suspiciously.
Sook Yeon-Ji stood up straight and said, "I am Sook Yeon-Ji, a messenger from Jiog Kingdom. I have come to speak with the Justice Minister."
The old man scrutinized her for a moment before nodding and letting her in. The inside of the house was dimly lit, with flickering candles casting long shadows on the walls. Sook Yeon-Ji followed the old man to a small room where the Justice Minister was waiting for her.
As soon as she entered the room, Sook Yeon-Ji's eyes locked onto a painting on the wall. It was a portrait of Prince Hyeon Jun-Woo, the man who had picked up her hairpin all those years ago. She couldn't believe her luck – it seemed fate had brought her to this very room for a reason.
The Justice Minister cleared his throat, interrupting her thoughts. "So, what brings you here?"
Sook Yeon-Ji took a deep breath and said, "I have a proposal for you, Minister. I wish to offer my services as your relative. In exchange, I ask for your assistance in seeking revenge against Jiog Kingdom."
The Justice Minister raised an eyebrow, considering her offer. "And why should I trust you?"
Sook Yeon-Ji gave him a sly smile. "Because I have information that could be very valuable to you. Information about Jiog Kingdom's plans and secrets."
The Justice Minister leaned back in his chair, stroking his beard thoughtfully. After a moment, he said, "Very well. I accept your proposal. We shall work together to bring down Jiog Kingdom after I'll rule the both Kingdom."
Sook Yeon-Ji's smile widened, feeling a sense of satisfaction as her plan began to take shape. She had come a long way from the innocent girl on a chariot, and she was determined to see her revenge through to the end.
Princess Dae Yong-Ji and King Micheon stood within the serene walls of the pristine white temple, their hushed whispers echoing softly throughout the chamber. The Princess hesitated for a moment, her gaze fixed firmly upon the sunlit sky outside. "I had not expected that we would need to do this in broad daylight," she murmured.
King Micheon turned to her, his expression grave. "Nevertheless, we must proceed, my dear. Our kingdom's fate hangs in the balance."
With a heavy heart, Princess Dae Yong-Ji nodded, her slender fingers reaching out to grasp the statue of goddess Johwa. As the King lent his strength to hers, a haunting melody filled the air, echoing through the length and breadth of the kingdom, stirring a sense of foreboding within all who heard it.
Sook Yeon-Ji, a servant of the palace, stood outside, listening intently. "What is happening?" she whispered to herself, her heart heavy with apprehension.
Meanwhile, within the temple, the statue of goddess Johwa wept tears of crimson blood, an eerie sight that sent shivers down the spines of the royal couple. "King, look," the Princess exclaimed, pointing at the weeping statue.
King Micheon's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. "What is this?" he muttered under his breath.
Without wasting another moment, Princess Dae Yong-Ji and the King picked up the statue and set it aside, uncovering a glimmering time book hidden beneath the floor. With a sense of relief, the Princess reached down and picked up the book, beckoning to the King. "Come, let us go," she said, her voice steady and resolute.
With the statue and the time book in tow, the royal couple journeyed to the abandoned Mountain palace, where they carefully stowed their precious cargo in the underground chambers. Princess Dae Yong-Ji breathed a sigh of relief, her mind finally at peace. "We must keep these two objects safe at all costs," she said to the King, her eyes shining with determination. King Micheon nodded in agreement, his eyes scanning the empty hallways of the abandoned Mountain palace. "We must act quickly before they arrive," he said, his voice low and urgent.
Together, the King and Princess Dae Yong-Ji descended down into the dark, ominous basement, their steps echoing loudly in the stillness. With a sense of trepidation, they carefully placed the statue and time book in a secure spot, hidden away from prying eyes.
As they made their way back up to the hallway, the eerie silence was only broken by the sound of their own footsteps. The Princess looked around, taking in the crumbling walls and musty air, her heart heavy with a sense of foreboding.
As King Micheon and Princess Dae Yong-Ji stepped out of the abandoned Mountain palace, they were greeted by the sight of Prince Yeong Su-Jin and Prince Jeong Hye-Yi waiting for them. The two Princes bowed respectfully to the King and Princess, their faces etched with concern.
"Your Highness," Prince Yeong Su-Jin said, his voice tinged with urgency. "We have been searching for you. Is everything alright?"
Princess Dae Yong-Ji's eyes scanned the area, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of the statue and time book. "Where is Song Yoon-Ju?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Suddenly, a voice called out from behind them, and they turned to see Prince Song Yoon-Ju approaching them. "I'm here," he said, his eyes flashing with determination.
King Micheon looked at the four Princes before him, a sense of pride and gratitude welling up within him. "My dear Princes," he said, his voice firm. "We have much to do, and little time to waste. Let us make haste, and ensure that our kingdom remains safe from harm."
Prince Song Yoon-Ju's voice was heavy with concern as he spoke up. "But can we not find another way?" he asked, his eyes pleading with the others to reconsider their course of action.
Princess Dae Yong-Ji's voice was firm as she replied, "There is no other way, Song Yoon-Ju. Our kingdom's fate hangs in the balance, and we cannot afford to take any risks."
Just then, Prince Jeong Hye-Yi drew everyone's attention to the sky, where the moon had turned a deep shade of red. Prince Yeong Su-Jin was stunned, unable to believe his eyes. "This cannot be," he murmured, his voice filled with disbelief.
But Princess Dae Yong-Ji knew all too well what this meant. Her mind was filled with painful memories of the past, of a woman burning alive as she watched helplessly. The woman had cursed her, promising that she would feel guilty for the rest of her life.
Overcome with emotion, Princess Dae Yong-Ji began to shout and cry. King Micheon and the Princes rushed to her side, his voice full of concern as King Micheon asked if she was okay. When she finally stopped crying, the Princess could only apologize profusely, her heart heavy with regret.
Meanwhile, Sook Yeon-Ji had noticed the red moon and quickly excused herself from Justice Minister, explaining that she had important work to attend to. He nodded understandingly, and watched as she hurried away into the night.
Sook Yeon-Ji stepped out of Justice Minister's house and was greeted by the sight of the red moon. A single tear escaped her eye as memories from her past flooded her mind near a mountain peak on Red Moon day. She knew that she had to speak her truth, no matter how painful it may be. "I need to tell you something," she said to Cheongug Crown Prince Hyeon Jun-Woo. "I trust you more than I trust my own brother."
The Prince started to say something, but Sook Yeon-Ji interrupted him. "But that doesn't mean I will let you get away with what you've done," she said, her voice trembling with anger. "You will pay for your crimes, even if it means that I have to take your life myself."
With those words, she threw the chain that Prince Hyeon Jun-Woo had given her and turned to run away. He tried to stop her, but she was too quick for him. As she ran, tears streamed down her face, her heart heavy with grief and pain.
Meanwhile, Jang-Mi Gi entered the court room and gazed upon the King's throne with a sinister grin. Her eyes turned crimson red as she claimed, "As I said, I came already to sit on this throne. As soon as possible, I'll be the next queen who'll be ruling this Kingdom."
And Cheongug Crown Prince Hyeon Jun-Woo watched the Red Moon from his window, aching with regret. "I'm sorry, Sook Yeon-Ji. But I have to ask, will you come to see me again?" He struggled to hold back his tears, the weight of his actions heavy on his heart.