He was neither a lover nor a relative.
Seol-ah looked at his stern face, unable to understand why he would involve himself in this situation.
"Why… why is that gentleman helping me?"
The man had no connection to her whatsoever. She had only seen him once or twice in passing at the gibang.
But while Seol-ah didn't remember the countless drunken patrons, she had a specific reason for recalling him.
'Clear the women away. I'll only take the drink.'
Even as the courtesans withdrew, he remained unmoved, only sipping from his glass. He was the kind of person who would leave without sparing a glance, even when women as beautiful as flowers gathered to dance for him.
The courtesans, eager to sit beside him, had tried to charm him, but he had coldly refused them all.
He had the kind of looks anyone would envy, especially women.
Clear, fair skin that didn't match the ruggedness of a manservant, vividly red lips, and eyes sharp with piercing intensity, as if they could see through someone at a glance.
However, his broad shoulders and a certain air of aloofness gave off a threatening sense of authority.
The courtesans, frustrated by his disinterest, made various attempts to get his attention, but he didn't so much as spare them a glance.
He was undeniably different from the other guests who clumsily sought attention.
That was why the face of the gentleman, who had left a strong impression, remained vivid in Seol-ah's memory, even though she had always been occupied with trivial chores.
It was as if his words, "I'll take you with me," had foreseen that someone would someday come to take her away from the gibang.
The fact that he had appeared at that very moment seemed almost intentional, as if he had known and decided to rescue her from this place.
The situation was so sudden and overwhelming that Seol-ah's face flushed red, her heart pounding.
However, she didn't question it.
She didn't even know his name or status, but the promise of leaving this hellish gibang was enough for her to put her faith in him.
With no hesitation, she followed him, crossing the threshold of the gibang and stepping into the unknown.
"It won't be too late."
"Have you gathered everything?"
At that moment, the servant's voice echoed from outside the door.
Seol-ah clutched her modestly packed belongings to her chest and stepped out of the room.
Unlike when she had first entered the gibang alone, today she wasn't leaving by herself.
Though she knew nothing about the man who had purchased her freedom, she was leaving with him.
The servant led her with steady steps, helping her over the low threshold of the gibang's gate. Only after crossing the tall boundary wall, which had always felt so insurmountable, did she realize she was finally free.
A complex mix of emotions overwhelmed her. Silently, she followed behind the servant, noticing the blood dripping steadily from his injured right hand.
The older servant, who had clashed with the head servant earlier, now looked battered but composed.
"Sir, your hand is bleeding…!"
Startled, Seol-ah grabbed his hand, inspecting the wound.
"Don't worry about it."
His face, as he pushed her hand away, was as cold and calm as his voice.
He ripped a piece of cloth from his outer garment and roughly tied it around his bleeding palm, seemingly unconcerned.
"Sir…"
Seol-ah, gathering her courage, called out to him as he turned his back indifferently.
"Thank you for helping me. But… may I ask why you chose to save me? Could you grant me that explanation?"
Seol-ah's voice trembled slightly as she spoke, but his response was cold and detached.
"I didn't save you."
"What…?"
"I paid three times the amount your brother sold you to the gibang for. I bought you."
Seol-ah stared at him, her face filled with shock. But the man continued, his tone dry and indifferent.
"You belong to me now."