The messenger stood under the gnarled tree, his hands trembling as he clutched the ruined imperial decree. His soaked figure seemed to shrink beneath the relentless downpour, the weight of failure pressing heavily on his shoulders. He stared at the woman before him, her calm demeanor in stark contrast to the storm around them.
Messenger: "You would do that? But... why?" His voice wavered with doubt, his narrowed eyes trying to pierce through the veil of mystery that shrouded her smile.
The woman shrugged, a casual gesture that belied the intensity of her presence.
Mysterious Woman: "Sometimes, the answers lie between the lines, my friend. Come with me. Let us visit the mansion on the hill." Her voice was steady, yet there was an undercurrent of authority, as though she already knew the outcome of this tale.
The messenger hesitated, his heart racing as he mulled over her words. Something about her felt dangerous, an unspoken menace he couldn't quite define. Yet her offer was tempting—a solution to the unbearable weight of his failure.
After a moment, he adjusted his hood against the rain and took a tentative step forward.
Messenger: "Do you think he'll listen to our proposal?" His voice was tinged with doubt, but there was a flicker of hope in his tone.
The woman turned her gaze toward the horizon, where the silhouette of the Jun Mansion loomed against the gray sky. Her smile grew subtle, almost imperceptible, but her eyes gleamed with a mix of certainty and mystery.
Mysterious Woman: "No one truly knows what goes on in Mr. Jun's mind," she said, a low laugh nearly lost in the rain. "But perhaps the rain has softened his resolve."
Without waiting for a reply, she began walking along the muddy road. Her steps were steady and graceful, as though the uneven ground posed no challenge. She didn't look back, leaving the messenger with a choice: follow or remain behind.
Taking a deep breath, he decided to follow. Each step sank into the mire, but he pressed on, determined to complete his mission.
The rain fell unceasingly, as if the heavens themselves were silent witnesses to the unfolding encounter. Each drop seemed to trace invisible lines guiding them toward the Jun Mansion, where fate awaited beneath its sloping rooftops.
The towering gates of the Jun Mansion soon rose before them, dark sentinels standing firm against the storm. Forged from black iron and adorned with intricate carvings of dragons and clouds, the gates seemed alive, their details glistening under the pale light of the overcast sky.
The woman halted a few steps away, her stillness reminiscent of a statue. Her eyes locked onto the gates, while the messenger shivered beside her, pulling his soaked cloak tighter around himself.
The mansion beyond loomed with an imposing presence. Its dark wooden columns and steep, tiled roofs appeared even more menacing under the dreary sky, each detail whispering ancient tales of power and secrecy.
The messenger cast a nervous glance at the woman. Despite the rain streaming down her cloak, she appeared unfazed, as if the storm were a trivial inconvenience. He opened his mouth to speak, but a metallic groan interrupted him.
The gates creaked open, their resistance echoing in the rain. For a moment, the messenger's heart raced.
A butler emerged from within. Tall and thin, his rigid posture exuded an air of discipline. His uniform, though immaculate, bore subtle signs of wear. His assessing gaze swept over the visitors, lingering briefly on the woman before he spoke.
Butler: "What is your purpose here?" His voice was deep and devoid of emotion.
The messenger stepped forward hesitantly, stumbling over his words as a gust of wind stole his breath.
Messenger: "We... we've come to deliver a marriage proposal to Mr. Jun." His words were fragmented, nearly drowned out by the steady rhythm of the rain. He winced, bracing for immediate reprimand.
Before the butler could respond, the woman stepped forward. Her movements were calm and deliberate, unaffected by the cold or the dampness that seeped into every corner of the world around them. Her gaze was direct, her dark eyes as unreadable as the starless sky above.
Mysterious Woman: "Tell Mr. Jun we are willing to wait here, if necessary. The rain does not bother us." Her voice was low but carried an undeniable strength, each word laced with authority.
The butler's lips pressed into a thin line, his expression a mix of surprise and restrained irritation. He remained motionless for a moment, as though weighing the situation. The pale light from the mansion highlighted the sharp angles of his face, etched with the wear of years of service.
Finally, without a word, he turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing on the wet stones.
The messenger glanced nervously at the woman, but she remained still, her gaze fixed on the partially open gates. The rain streamed down her hair and cloak, but she seemed untouched by the cold. It was as though the storm had wrapped her in a cocoon of unyielding calm.