The day had arrived, and the palace was abuzz with activity. The grand architecture shimmered under the morning sun, with its golden towers and vast corridors adorned with bright red and gold silks. Servants hurriedly carried trays of delicacies, flowers, and scrolls. The air was thick with the sweet aroma of incense and lotus petals.
Inside the grand preparation hall, Mi-Suk sat before an ornate mirror as maids adjusted the layers of her wedding hanbok. Each embroidered pattern seemed to tell a story, but the weight of the garments mirrored the heaviness in Mi-Suk's heart.
Mi-Suk: (thinking) "Mother… I'm doing this for you. No matter what happens to me, I cannot fail."
Her brown eyes glistened with unshed tears, but she blinked them away quickly, refusing to let them fall. At that moment, the door opened, and Ji-Hye entered, followed by her sister Ji-Mi.
Ji-Hye: (with a fake smile) "My dear Mi-Suk, you look absolutely radiant. The Third Prince will be enchanted."
Mi-Suk: (forcing a smile) "Thank you, Ji-Hye."
Ji-Mi: (crossing her arms) "Mi-Suk is going to be the twenty-first wife of the Third Prince. It's amazing you managed to convince her to accept this, Ji-Hye."
Ji-Hye chuckled softly, leaning in to whisper mockingly.
Ji-Hye: (maliciously) "I'm a very clever woman, Ji-Mi. Persuading people is an art I've mastered."
Mi-Suk frowned slightly, uncomfortable with the tone of the conversation, but she remained silent.
Ji-Mi: (curious) "And Aunt Suk? Have you sent soldiers to fetch the flower to heal her?"
Ji-Hye's smile turned even crueler.
Ji-Hye: (laughing) "Of course not. Why would I? Aunt Suk will die, just like Mi-Suk eventually will. It's all part of the plan."
Ji-Mi: (shocked) "Ji-Hye, that's wicked!"
Ji-Hye: (shrugging) "I know, Ji-Mi. Wickedness has its advantages."
The two began laughing, their laughter echoing through the hall, while Mi-Suk, lost in her own thoughts, ignored the content of their conversation entirely.
In the Palace Gardens
The palace gardens were at their peak of beauty. Cherry trees, laden with blossoms in soft shades of pink and white, swayed gently in the breeze. The soothing sound of marble fountains filled the air, accompanied by the soft chirping of birds. In the center of a meticulously kept flowerbed, Bora knelt, carefully adjusting the lotus flowers that were beginning to bloom.
Bora always found peace there, but today, unease lingered in her heart.
Si-U: (approaching quietly) "Bora, may I have a moment of your time?"
Bora looked up, surprised, but her face immediately brightened at the sight of him. Si-U was always a calming presence, but today there was something different in his expression—a mix of seriousness and urgency.
Bora: (placing her hands in her lap) "Si-U? Of course. What brings you here?"
Si-U: (taking a deep breath, struggling to find the right words) "I have a request, something important… and it involves my sister, Pan."
Bora frowned slightly, concerned by the tone of his voice.
Bora: (leaning in slightly) "Pan? What happened to her?"
Si-U hesitated for a moment, his gaze drifting to the cherry trees. When he finally spoke, his voice was heavy with sadness and frustration.
Si-U: (choosing his words carefully) "The situation at home is… unbearable. My father ordered Van, her lover, to be killed. And as if that weren't cruel enough, he made up a lie that Van was cheating on her with one of Chain's women."
Bora's eyes widened, her hand instinctively going to her heart.
Bora: (with sorrow) "That's horrible… Did Pan believe the lie?"
Si-U: "No. Pan knew Van better than anyone. But… the argument with my father was intense. He locked her in her room, as if he could silence her."
Bora: (lowering her gaze) "Poor Pan… She must be suffering so much."
Si-U: (leaning closer) "Bora, I need your help to get her out of that toxic environment."
Bora looked at him, her expression both curious and worried.
Bora: (interested) "How can I help?"
Si-U: (directly) "I want to bring Pan to the palace. She can work here as a servant."
Bora: (surprised) "A servant? Here at the palace?"
Si-U: "Yes. It's the only way to keep her out of my father's and the Hong clan's reach. Here, she'll be protected and have a chance to start over."
Bora pondered for a moment, her dark eyes fixed on the ground.
Bora: (thoughtful) "Si-U, that's risky. What if someone discovers she's Pao Hong's daughter?"
Si-U: (firmly) "Pan will use a different name, a new identity. She's willing to do anything to escape that place."
Bora sighed, her hands resting softly on the scarf covering her blue hair.
Bora: (nodding) "I understand. If it means giving her a second chance, I'm willing to help."
Si-U: (relieved) "Thank you, Bora. You don't know how much this means."
Bora smiled gently, but her expression quickly turned serious again.
Bora: (hesitant) "Si-U… I also need your help."
Si-U: (curious, leaning in to listen) "What do you need? If it's within my power, I'll do it."
Bora: (carefully) "I need a rare flower that only grows on Russ Mountain."
Si-U's eyes narrowed, and he nodded slightly.
Si-U: "I know that flower. Why do you need it?"
Bora: (lowering her voice) "It's for Lady Suk. The nurse said she needs it to survive."
Si-U crossed his arms, his expression darkening.
Si-U: (irritated) "Did Mi-Suk agree to marry the Third Prince for this?"
Bora hesitated, noticing the indignation in his tone.
Bora: (trying to explain) "Lady Mi-Suk didn't want to burden you, Si-U. She thought that with the imperial army's support, it would be easier to get the flower."
Si-U sighed, running a hand through his dark hair.
Si-U: (determinedly) "Bora, you should know you can count on me for anything. I'll bring the flower."
Bora: (smiling, relieved) "Thank you, Si-U."
Si-U: (thinking aloud) "But it doesn't change the fact that this marriage is absurd."
Bora: (worried) "Si-U… you're planning something, aren't you?"
Si-U leaned in, whispering to her:
Si-U: "Bora, stay alert. I'm going to try to convince Mi-Suk to call off this marriage without raising suspicion."