The Jun family garden was alive with laughter and sunlight when We Jun, Mi-Suk's father, entered the scene. A tall, robust man with a warm presence that filled the space, his broad smile reflected his vibrant personality. His voice, rich and joyful, carried across the garden like a melody.
We Jun: "My beloved family, I have wonderful news!" he announced, his steps firm and purposeful as he approached.
Mi-Suk ran to him, clutching the hem of his tunic with her small hands.
Mi-Suk: "What is it, Papa?" she asked, her wide eyes brimming with curiosity.
We Jun crouched down to her level, gently resting his hands on her tiny shoulders.
We Jun: "I've arranged a marriage for you with Do-Yun, a very talented young man and the son of the most important merchant in the empire."
The smile on Suk Kel Jun's face vanished instantly. Rising from her chair, her eyes flared with indignation as she crossed her arms and fixed her husband with a piercing stare.
Suk Kel Jun: "We Jun!" she said sternly, her voice sharp enough to cut through the joyous atmosphere.
Mi-Suk glanced between her parents, confused by the sudden tension.
Mi-Suk: "Marriage, Papa?"
We Jun laughed heartily, attempting to diffuse the weight of the moment.
We Jun: "Yes, my princess. You'll marry someone I've chosen for you."
Suk Kel Jun remained rigid, her expression hardening further.
Suk Kel Jun: "I will not let my daughter marry a man she does not love!"
Mi-Suk tugged lightly on her mother's tunic, her innocent curiosity taking over.
Mi-Suk: "Mama, wasn't your marriage arranged too?"
We Jun chuckled, clearly pleased with his daughter's question.
We Jun: "Answer our little princess, Suk."
Suk Kel Jun sighed, her expression softening as she turned to Mi-Suk.
Suk Kel Jun: "Well, Mi-Suk, your father and I loved each other and convinced our parents to approve our marriage."
Mi-Suk beamed, looking at her parents with admiration, her eyes sparkling with the pure joy of childhood.
Mi-Suk: "That's beautiful!"
We Jun: "Isn't it, my princess?" he teased, winking at his wife.
Mi-Suk: "Yes, Papa."
At that time, We Jun was the rightful heir to the Jun family fortune. He managed the family pharmacy and vast commercial lands, earning respect for his integrity and skill as a merchant. However, his success and influence fueled the jealousy of his half-brother, Ji-Ho Jun.
Driven by greed and a thirst for power, Ji-Ho devised a cruel plan. He hired assassins from the infamous Hong Clan, a group renowned for their ruthless efficiency, to eliminate We Jun. Under the orders of the clan leader, Pao Hong, We Jun was ambushed and killed in broad daylight while returning from a business trip.
The tragedy devastated the Jun family. Mi-Suk, only five years old at the time, couldn't fully grasp the loss, but she felt the void left by her father's absence. Suk Kel Jun, overwhelmed by grief, succumbed to sorrow, her health deteriorating rapidly in the years that followed.
Present Day
Now, as Mi-Suk sat in the greenhouse, the memories of her parents seemed to linger in the air. The echoes of their laughter and voices whispered among the flowers, bringing a bittersweet ache to her heart.
With Bora by her side, Mi-Suk found the strength to carry on, though the pain of loss remained like a shadow over her soul. The greenhouse, with its serene and untouched beauty, was both a reminder of what had been lost and a symbol of what still needed protection.
The Hong Clan's stronghold loomed like a stone-and-steel behemoth, embedded into the side of an isolated mountain. Its dark, weathered walls bore the scars of countless battles and betrayals. Watchtowers crowned with blazing torches cast flickering light into the misty night, their shadows dancing like ghosts along the ramparts.
Inside, the atmosphere was no less imposing. The main hall, the heart of the fortress, was adorned with weapons mounted on the walls, war trophies, and tapestries depicting ancient conquests. The scent of burning wood mingled with the metallic tang of blood that seemed to cling to the stone floors.
At the center of the hall stood a carved wooden throne, its high back adorned with dragons and clouds—symbols of power and dominion. Sitting upon it was Pao Hong, a corpulent man whose presence was as commanding as his throne. His disheveled beard and piercing green eyes exuded a cruel authority, and his hunched posture hinted at impatience.
Before him stood Din, a stark contrast to his leader. Slim and agile, with fiery red hair that gleamed in the torchlight, Din's amber eyes sparkled with mischief. His ever-present grin suggested he was constantly plotting something.
Din: "Master Pao, the Third Prince is getting married again." His tone was casual, as if the news were insignificant.
Pao Hong snorted, the guttural sound reverberating through the hall. His thick fingers drummed on the armrest of his throne as he leaned forward, his beard brushing against his chest.
Pao Hong: "Din, tell me something I don't already know." His voice was deep and laced with impatience, as though the announcement had wasted his time.
Din shrugged, feigning indifference, though his eyes gleamed with amusement. He seemed to relish drawing out the suspense.
Din: "Miss Pan is courting Van." He spoke slowly, savoring each word like a delicacy served to provoke his master.
Pao Hong's eyes widened, his irritation transforming into fury in an instant. He heaved himself out of the throne, the wood groaning under his weight, and slammed his fist onto a nearby table, causing its contents to rattle.
Pao Hong: "Which Van?" he growled, his face reddening as the veins in his neck pulsed visibly.
Din leaned in slightly, his grin growing wider, as though preparing to deliver a deliciously wicked secret.
Din: "He belongs to Chain's group."