The Jun Mansion's greenhouse had been a haven of peace, but now, the tension from Mi-Suk's room seemed to seep into every corner of the house. The delicate balance of the family's strained relationships was on the verge of unraveling.
In the softly lit room, Suk Kel Jun lay on her bed, her frail frame surrounded by an air of vulnerability. Don-Lin stood near the bed, her serious expression unyielding, while Bora remained by the door, her hands clenched at her sides, her concern evident.
The sound of the door creaking open and Ji-Hye's entrance had shifted the atmosphere entirely. Her commanding presence and the glint of malice in her dark green eyes had left an unsettling impression on everyone present.
As Ji-Hye led Mi-Suk through the long, dimly lit corridor, her grip firm but not aggressive, the silence between them was heavy. The faint echo of their footsteps against the polished wooden floor only added to the tension.
Mi-Suk: "What is this about, Ji-Hye?"
Her voice was calm, but there was a sharp edge to it, her distrust evident.
Ji-Hye glanced at her cousin with a sly smile, her pace unhurried.
Ji-Hye: "Oh, my dear Mi-Suk, I only want what's best for you."
The words dripped with mock sincerity, and Mi-Suk's brow furrowed.
Mi-Suk: "If that were true, you wouldn't be so cryptic. What's going on?"
Ji-Hye stopped abruptly, turning to face Mi-Suk. Her smile widened, but it didn't reach her eyes.
Ji-Hye: "It's about your future, of course."
Mi-Suk crossed her arms, her posture straight and unwavering.
Mi-Suk: "I don't trust you, Ji-Hye. If you have something to say, say it now."
Ji-Hye chuckled softly, as if amused by her cousin's defiance.
Ji-Hye: "Very well. The truth is, my father has gone to the palace to finalize something important."
Mi-Suk's stomach tightened at the mention of her uncle.
Mi-Suk: "Finalize what?"
Ji-Hye leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a near whisper.
Ji-Hye: "A marriage proposal. For you."
Mi-Suk's breath caught, and her eyes widened in shock.
Mi-Suk: "A marriage proposal? Without my consent?"
Ji-Hye shrugged, feigning nonchalance.
Ji-Hye: "You know how things work in this family. Consent is a luxury, not a necessity."
Mi-Suk took a step back, her mind racing.
Mi-Suk: "Who is the proposal for?"
Ji-Hye's smile faltered for a fraction of a second, but she quickly recovered.
Ji-Hye: "Oh, just someone who can secure our family's position. The Third Prince."
The weight of those words hit Mi-Suk like a blow. She had heard the rumors—stories of the prince's volatile temper and his "disappearances" of past wives.
Mi-Suk: "No. I won't do it."
Ji-Hye's expression hardened, the veneer of politeness slipping away.
Ji-Hye: "You don't have a choice, Mi-Suk. This isn't about you. It's about the family."
Mi-Suk clenched her fists, her voice rising.
Mi-Suk: "The family? Or your father's ambitions?"
Ji-Hye's eyes narrowed, her voice dropping to a dangerous tone.
Ji-Hye: "Watch your tongue, cousin. You may think you're above this, but you're not. If you refuse, it won't just be you who suffers."
Mi-Suk felt a chill run through her. Ji-Hye's threat was unspoken but clear.
Mi-Suk: "What do you mean?"
Ji-Hye stepped closer, her face inches from Mi-Suk's.
Ji-Hye: "Your mother's health. Your little servant girl. Everything you care about could be taken away in an instant."
Mi-Suk's jaw tightened, her anger and fear battling for control.
Mi-Suk: "You wouldn't dare."
Ji-Hye tilted her head, her smile returning, but it was colder now.
Ji-Hye: "Wouldn't I?"
The two stared at each other, the air between them crackling with tension. Finally, Ji-Hye stepped back, smoothing her hanbok with deliberate grace.
Ji-Hye: "Think about it, Mi-Suk. You can be a dutiful daughter and save what little you have left. Or you can fight and lose everything."
Without waiting for a response, Ji-Hye turned on her heel and walked away, her steps echoing down the corridor.
Mi-Suk stood frozen, her mind reeling. The weight of the decision pressed down on her, suffocating and inescapable.
Bora paced anxiously near the window, her gaze darting between Suk Kel Jun, who had fallen into a light, restless sleep, and the door.
Bora: "Something's wrong. I can feel it."
Don-Lin, standing near the bed, adjusted the blankets around Suk with practiced precision.
Don-Lin: "You're imagining things. Focus on what needs to be done. The flower is the priority."
Bora stopped pacing, her fists clenched.
Bora: "And how are we supposed to get it with everything happening? If Ji-Hye and her father get their way, Mi-Suk won't have a future to fight for!"
Don-Lin glanced at Bora, her expression unreadable.
Don-Lin: "Then you'll have to ensure she has one."
Bora's eyes narrowed, a flicker of resolve igniting within her.
Bora: "I'll do whatever it takes."
The tension in the room thickened as both women prepared for the uncertain battles ahead.