Back to the past

Ha Yoon Kang was an unfortunate individual. She was born to serve a purpose and that was to become the vessel for her deceased sister. Why? It was because she was born as the illegitimate child of the Duke of the Jeonju Province. Ha Yoon had similar features as the biological child of the Duke of Jeonju: long black hair and grey eyes, enough to attract many men in the entire Hwacheon empire. However, the Duke, her father, was not satisfied with her, so he trained her to become a perfect candidate for the contest of the empress, which was a contest held to choose the perfect empress marry the crown prince of the empire. Ha Yoon became the chosen one. However to her dismay, she was backstabbed by her own father, her soul was sacrificed and the soul of her sister was brought back to life in her body. Apparently that was the greatest thing that the Duke thought he could do. And the life of the beautiful yet unlucky Ha Yoon Kang came to an end.

——

"Wake up brat!" It was the voice of the maid, who was in service to Ha Yoon Kang. The maid was wearing a lime green hanbok and had a freckled face with green eyes and brown hair toed in a bun. With the manner of her attitude, it was clear that she was not happy with Ha Yoon Kang.

"What do you think you are doing? No matter how you try, his grace will never love you" she taunted Ha Yoon Kang. Ha Yoon Kang looked herself in the mirror. She felt as if her appearance had slightly become younger. She had black hair, which were open, and grey eyes. She was wearing a white hanbok with golden frills. It felt as if somehow, magically, she had returned back to the past. "Now get up and freshen yourself up, its time to study" her maid, Hyejin mentioned. Study? Wasn't I sacrificed for the purpose of bringing Min back? Ha Yoon thought. She was unable to understand the situation. First, she became seven years younger and second Hyejin was asking her to study. How was this possible? Ha Yoon, without analysing the situation and putting her brain cells to solve the complicated process, stood up from the bed, quickly freshened up on her own since the duke had not provided her with any of the maids unlike her elder brother, tied her hair and wore a white hanbok with sky blue frills. Then, she went to study.

"You have to study sociology, as the tutor said" Hyejin mentioned. "Especially the parts which focus on society and its norms" After saying these lines, Hyejin presented two fat books and kept it on Ha Yoon's study table. Then, she went outside living Ha Yoon to study. Ha Yoon was unable to synchronise the situation. She felt as if she had experienced the events before.

"I remember it" Ha Yoon mumbled to herself. "I was walking at the garden when I was bit by a snake, and lost my consciousness." There were tears coming out from her eyes which fell on the pages of the book. "And nobody came to see me..

No one.. not the duke, and brother." There was sadness in Ha Yoon's mind as well as heart. Her heart, eyes, brain and every inch of her soul was filled with tears. "They only provide me food, water and shelter" Ha Yoon thought, "And I am happy for that."

She realised that somehow, a miracle had occurred due to which she was able to return to the past. Maybe it was done so that she could change her destiny from death? And maybe she could live a peaceful life? "It's indeed a survival game created by the gods" Ha Yoon thought and decided to change her future by hook or by crook.

Ha Yoon quickly revised the parts as instructed. It was easy for her since Sociology was her favourite subject in her past life. Even Hyejin was confused as to how she was able to finish all the topics so quickly. After finishing her studies, Ha Yoon decided to take a walk in the garden without letting anyone know and see since she wasn't usually allowed to do since the gardens were preserved for the so-called 'soul' of the biological daughter of the Duke. Ha Yoon was enjoying her walk while thinking that she could use her knowledge of her previous life and become something like a philosopher, alchemist, a teacher or maybe she could take part in the contest of the empress not for the Duke but for herself! There were no limitations with the amount of knowledge and education she had done in her past life and maybe do in her second life. As she walked past the garden, a slight tinge of jealousy arose in her. Why was Min treated so fairly while I was given nothing? Only because I am the illegitimate daughter? Ha Yoon saw several kinds of rose bushes: red, yellow and pink roses. There were daisies, sunflowers, lilies, marigolds and many flowers. Their scent smelled like perfume in the air of Hwacheon. Ha Yoon, who was wearing a white hanbok, looked like a swan in the midst of the flowers.

"What are you doing here?"

A rough male voice called out to her.

Ha Yoon turned around and looked. She knew she was in extreme trouble now. Will he lock me up in the basement again? Ha Yoon thought. She saw a man with ruffled black hair and crimson eyes. He was around his mid twenties. "Brother..." Ha Yoon mumbled looking down.

"Don't call me that. I am not your brother." The man said. "Know your place, illegitimate child. You can never take the place of my sister. It was because of you that she died. She got your commoner germs and died." He said and grabbed

Ha Yoon's right arm pulling her into the duke's mansion. He was extremely angry. "Please stop, your grace." Ha Yoon pleaded. "Well that's better" he said and loosened the grip although he still took her inside the duke's mansion.

The maids and the servants looked at the two of them and immediately understood that something was wrong. They started gossiping among themselves. They all knew the fact that Ha Yoon was an illegitimate child, so they did nothing and only watched Ha Yoon being dragged away as if she was an object.

They reached the office of the Duke of Jeonju.

"Father!" The man who was grabbing Ha Yoon exclaimed. It startled the older man, who was by appearance was the Duke of Jeonju.

"Chul? What happened?" He asked with concern. He had a similar appearance as the young man,

Chul, but looked slightly older more in his mid 40s and had longer hair extending to his shoulders tied in a ponytail.

"Father, this thing had the audacity to walk in my sister's garden! Shall I lock her in the basement?" Chul said pulling Ha Yoon forward so that the duke could see her. The duke sighed and said,

"Why May I ask, Chul?"

"Because she trespassed the area belonging to my original sister!"

"Your original sister?"

"Yes, my original sister, Min Kang!" Chul Kang protested, "she's just a copy of my sister. After all she will be sacri-"

"Chul, keep quiet. That area is free for everyone. You should respect everyone equally otherwise I will be forced to remove the title of you being my heir." Chul Kang was dismissed.

There were only two people left in the room: Ha Yoon Kang and the duke, her father.

The duke said and continued working. Then, he looked at Ha Yoon. "And as for you, are you done with studying?"

"Yes, your grace" Ha Yoon answered calmly and slowly looking down. She had a respectful tone and her way of speech indicated obedience.

"Good. You are dismissed"

Ha Yoon went out of the room and heaved a sigh of relief.

——

"Wait, your grace?" The Duke of Jeonju thought as to why Ha Yoon would call him like that.

——

Hyejin looked at Ha Yoon who was coming to her room.

"Where were you?" She asked worriedly. Hyejin was indeed worried. It was one of the fewest occasions when she was worried for Ha Yoon Kang.

"I was outside, Miss Hyejin" Ha Yoon replied.

"Outside? Don't tell me that you fell in trouble." Hyejin said and sighed. "This is the reason why I tell you to never go near the duke's mansion and stay here."

Ha Yoon looked at her room. It was a wooden room, located in the deserted areas of the duke's house. It was small, had wooden floors, a study table, and a wooden bed. There were no decorations unlike the mansion which she saw that day while being dragged away by her so-called brother Chul. Ha Yoon felt a slight tinge of jealousy.

If only I was his biological thought and not an illegitimate: Ha Yoon thought. But she had to accept the fact. She had already decided to what she was going to do. According to her first plan, she will escape the duke's mansion disguised as a maid, and become something she really wanted to like an alchemist or a philosopher using her knowledge. If the first plan doesn't work, she will participate in the contest of the empress as she was supposed to as forced by the duke and then escape from there. The deserted area where she resided was a place for the maids working at the duke's household.

Of course, she felt neglected and the fact that she was sacrificed made her feel not to trust anyone except for the one who actually loved her... the one with long silky black hair and black eyes shimmering like night...

"Hey" Hyejin called Ha Yoon. "You wouldn't believe what I just saw."

Ha Yoon looked at Hyejin and asked, "What do you mean?"

"What do I mean?" Hyejin chuckled and continued, "The Duke actually sent clothes for you other than these old hanboks you are wearing."

Ha Yoon couldn't believe her ears. She was sent clothes and that also by the Duke, who had literally killed her for the purpose of bringing her sister back to life.

"He did?"

"Yes of course! Common now you should try them on. It's one time opportunity!"

Hyejin pushed Ha Yoon in and forced her to try the floral hanboks which she was gifted.

"Oh this one, really looks good! The red floral designs are way too good!" Hyejin squealed with joy.

"And this blue one, oh my god, the green ones! Perfect if you ever become a candidate for the contest of the empress' crown!"

"And oh my god, you look great. I can't believe it! The combination of the pink and yellow one!"

"Miss Hyejin" Ha Yoon called her.

"Yes?"

"Return these"

"Eh?"

"Return these hanboks to the duke"

Hyejin looked at Ha Yoon with disappointment and asked, "Why?"

"I don't need any. I have enough clothes to wear." Ha Yoon replied with a smile. She had already decided not to accept anything extraordinary from the Kang family, after what they had done to her in her first life.

"Seriously? Learn to be grateful, brat." Hyejin said annoyingly.

"I am grateful." Ha Yoon breathed out and continued, "The Duke already provides me food, shelter and clothing and I am grateful enough for that."

Hyejin sighed and said, "Alright then, I will take these clothes and return to his grace."

Ha Yoon laid on her wooden bed and heaves a sigh of relief. She didn't want to accept anything from the duke, not even new clothes. She was already happy to be given the food, shelter and the old clothing.

——

"She returned these all?" Chul asked feeling intrigued. "I thought that she would be the happiest person in all of Hwacheon."

Hyejin said, "That useless brat just returned all these clothes stating that she was already grateful for the food, shelter and clothing that his grace provides her."

Chul chuckled. "Seriously, those old hanboks and the oatmeal she eats? She is really grateful for that. Hyejin don't make me laugh."

"No, I am serious!" Hyejin contradicted Chul's statement with a stern look on her face.

The talk attracted the attention of the duke.

"What's going on here?" He asked sternly. "Father, she returned everything" Chul replied teasingly, "I had already said to you earlier give these to Hyejin for her excellent work."

"She returned the hanboks?"

The Duke was curious but his face showed signs of sadness.

"Yes, she did!" Hyejin said with a smile.

"Are you lying?"

"No.. she said that she was already grateful for the food, clothing and shelter you provide, your grace." Hyejin replied and thought that the duke might give her the beautiful hanboks which were no longer in any use.

"How much did these clothes cost?"

"15,481 won" Chul said looking at the clothes. Upon realising the amount to be paid, he said shockingly, "That's expensive!"

"Keep these clothes" The Duke said. Hyejin smiled with thought that the clothes were for her, but it faded immediately when the duke mentioned, "Keep these clothes secretly. I am buying this for Ha Yoon Kang and never let her know."

"What?!" Hyejin and Chul both were shocked with the duke's sudden declaration.Ha Yoon Kang was an unfortunate individual. She was born to serve a purpose and that was to become the vessel for her deceased sister. Why? It was because she was born as the illegitimate child of the Duke of the Jeonju Province. Ha Yoon had similar features as the biological child of the Duke of Jeonju: long black hair and grey eyes, enough to attract many men in the entire Hwacheon empire. However, the Duke, her father, was not satisfied with her, so he trained her to become a perfect candidate for the contest of the empress, which was a contest held to choose the perfect empress marry the crown prince of the empire. Ha Yoon became the chosen one. However to her dismay, she was backstabbed by her own father, her soul was sacrificed and the soul of her sister was brought back to life in her body. Apparently that was the greatest thing that the Duke thought he could do. And the life of the beautiful yet unlucky Ha Yoon Kang came to an end.

——

"Wake up brat!" It was the voice of the maid, who was in service to Ha Yoon Kang. The maid was wearing a lime green hanbok and had a freckled face with green eyes and brown hair toed in a bun. With the manner of her attitude, it was clear that she was not happy with Ha Yoon Kang.

"What do you think you are doing? No matter how you try, his grace will never love you" she taunted Ha Yoon Kang. Ha Yoon Kang looked herself in the mirror. She felt as if her appearance had slightly become younger. She had black hair, which were open, and grey eyes. She was wearing a white hanbok with golden frills. It felt as if somehow, magically, she had returned back to the past. "Now get up and freshen yourself up, its time to study" her maid, Hyejin mentioned. Study? Wasn't I sacrificed for the purpose of bringing Min back? Ha Yoon thought. She was unable to understand the situation. First, she became seven years younger and second Hyejin was asking her to study. How was this possible? Ha Yoon, without analysing the situation and putting her brain cells to solve the complicated process, stood up from the bed, quickly freshened up on her own since the duke had not provided her with any of the maids unlike her elder brother, tied her hair and wore a white hanbok with sky blue frills. Then, she went to study.

"You have to study sociology, as the tutor said" Hyejin mentioned. "Especially the parts which focus on society and its norms" After saying these lines, Hyejin presented two fat books and kept it on Ha Yoon's study table. Then, she went outside living Ha Yoon to study. Ha Yoon was unable to synchronise the situation. She felt as if she had experienced the events before.

"I remember it" Ha Yoon mumbled to herself. "I was walking at the garden when I was bit by a snake, and lost my consciousness." There were tears coming out from her eyes which fell on the pages of the book. "And nobody came to see me..

No one.. not the duke, and brother." There was sadness in Ha Yoon's mind as well as heart. Her heart, eyes, brain and every inch of her soul was filled with tears. "They only provide me food, water and shelter" Ha Yoon thought, "And I am happy for that."

She realised that somehow, a miracle had occurred due to which she was able to return to the past. Maybe it was done so that she could change her destiny from death? And maybe she could live a peaceful life? "It's indeed a survival game created by the gods" Ha Yoon thought and decided to change her future by hook or by crook.

Ha Yoon quickly revised the parts as instructed. It was easy for her since Sociology was her favourite subject in her past life. Even Hyejin was confused as to how she was able to finish all the topics so quickly. After finishing her studies, Ha Yoon decided to take a walk in the garden without letting anyone know and see since she wasn't usually allowed to do since the gardens were preserved for the so-called 'soul' of the biological daughter of the Duke. Ha Yoon was enjoying her walk while thinking that she could use her knowledge of her previous life and become something like a philosopher, alchemist, a teacher or maybe she could take part in the contest of the empress not for the Duke but for herself! There were no limitations with the amount of knowledge and education she had done in her past life and maybe do in her second life. As she walked past the garden, a slight tinge of jealousy arose in her. Why was Min treated so fairly while I was given nothing? Only because I am the illegitimate daughter? Ha Yoon saw several kinds of rose bushes: red, yellow and pink roses. There were daisies, sunflowers, lilies, marigolds and many flowers. Their scent smelled like perfume in the air of Hwacheon. Ha Yoon, who was wearing a white hanbok, looked like a swan in the midst of the flowers.

"What are you doing here?"

A rough male voice called out to her.

Ha Yoon turned around and looked. She knew she was in extreme trouble now. Will he lock me up in the basement again? Ha Yoon thought. She saw a man with ruffled black hair and crimson eyes. He was around his mid twenties. "Brother..." Ha Yoon mumbled looking down.

"Don't call me that. I am not your brother." The man said. "Know your place, illegitimate child. You can never take the place of my sister. It was because of you that she died. She got your commoner germs and died." He said and grabbed

Ha Yoon's right arm pulling her into the duke's mansion. He was extremely angry. "Please stop, your grace." Ha Yoon pleaded. "Well that's better" he said and loosened the grip although he still took her inside the duke's mansion.

The maids and the servants looked at the two of them and immediately understood that something was wrong. They started gossiping among themselves. They all knew the fact that Ha Yoon was an illegitimate child, so they did nothing and only watched Ha Yoon being dragged away as if she was an object.

They reached the office of the Duke of Jeonju.

"Father!" The man who was grabbing Ha Yoon exclaimed. It startled the older man, who was by appearance was the Duke of Jeonju.

"Chul? What happened?" He asked with concern. He had a similar appearance as the young man,

Chul, but looked slightly older more in his mid 40s and had longer hair extending to his shoulders tied in a ponytail.

"Father, this thing had the audacity to walk in my sister's garden! Shall I lock her in the basement?" Chul said pulling Ha Yoon forward so that the duke could see her. The duke sighed and said,

"Why May I ask, Chul?"

"Because she trespassed the area belonging to my original sister!"

"Your original sister?"

"Yes, my original sister, Min Kang!" Chul Kang protested, "she's just a copy of my sister. After all she will be sacri-"

"Chul, keep quiet. That area is free for everyone. You should respect everyone equally otherwise I will be forced to remove the title of you being my heir." Chul Kang was dismissed.

There were only two people left in the room: Ha Yoon Kang and the duke, her father.

The duke said and continued working. Then, he looked at Ha Yoon. "And as for you, are you done with studying?"

"Yes, your grace" Ha Yoon answered calmly and slowly looking down. She had a respectful tone and her way of speech indicated obedience.

"Good. You are dismissed"

Ha Yoon went out of the room and heaved a sigh of relief.

——

"Wait, your grace?" The Duke of Jeonju thought as to why Ha Yoon would call him like that.

——

Hyejin looked at Ha Yoon who was coming to her room.

"Where were you?" She asked worriedly. Hyejin was indeed worried. It was one of the fewest occasions when she was worried for Ha Yoon Kang.

"I was outside, Miss Hyejin" Ha Yoon replied.

"Outside? Don't tell me that you fell in trouble." Hyejin said and sighed. "This is the reason why I tell you to never go near the duke's mansion and stay here."

Ha Yoon looked at her room. It was a wooden room, located in the deserted areas of the duke's house. It was small, had wooden floors, a study table, and a wooden bed. There were no decorations unlike the mansion which she saw that day while being dragged away by her so-called brother Chul. Ha Yoon felt a slight tinge of jealousy.

If only I was his biological thought and not an illegitimate: Ha Yoon thought. But she had to accept the fact. She had already decided to what she was going to do. According to her first plan, she will escape the duke's mansion disguised as a maid, and become something she really wanted to like an alchemist or a philosopher using her knowledge. If the first plan doesn't work, she will participate in the contest of the empress as she was supposed to as forced by the duke and then escape from there. The deserted area where she resided was a place for the maids working at the duke's household.

Of course, she felt neglected and the fact that she was sacrificed made her feel not to trust anyone except for the one who actually loved her... the one with long silky black hair and black eyes shimmering like night...

"Hey" Hyejin called Ha Yoon. "You wouldn't believe what I just saw."

Ha Yoon looked at Hyejin and asked, "What do you mean?"

"What do I mean?" Hyejin chuckled and continued, "The Duke actually sent clothes for you other than these old hanboks you are wearing."

Ha Yoon couldn't believe her ears. She was sent clothes and that also by the Duke, who had literally killed her for the purpose of bringing her sister back to life.

"He did?"

"Yes of course! Common now you should try them on. It's one time opportunity!"

Hyejin pushed Ha Yoon in and forced her to try the floral hanboks which she was gifted.

"Oh this one, really looks good! The red floral designs are way too good!" Hyejin squealed with joy.

"And this blue one, oh my god, the green ones! Perfect if you ever become a candidate for the contest of the empress' crown!"

"And oh my god, you look great. I can't believe it! The combination of the pink and yellow one!"

"Miss Hyejin" Ha Yoon called her.

"Yes?"

"Return these"

"Eh?"

"Return these hanboks to the duke"

Hyejin looked at Ha Yoon with disappointment and asked, "Why?"

"I don't need any. I have enough clothes to wear." Ha Yoon replied with a smile. She had already decided not to accept anything extraordinary from the Kang family, after what they had done to her in her first life.

"Seriously? Learn to be grateful, brat." Hyejin said annoyingly.

"I am grateful." Ha Yoon breathed out and continued, "The Duke already provides me food, shelter and clothing and I am grateful enough for that."

Hyejin sighed and said, "Alright then, I will take these clothes and return to his grace."

Ha Yoon laid on her wooden bed and heaves a sigh of relief. She didn't want to accept anything from the duke, not even new clothes. She was already happy to be given the food, shelter and the old clothing.

——

"She returned these all?" Chul asked feeling intrigued. "I thought that she would be the happiest person in all of Hwacheon."

Hyejin said, "That useless brat just returned all these clothes stating that she was already grateful for the food, shelter and clothing that his grace provides her."

Chul chuckled. "Seriously, those old hanboks and the oatmeal she eats? She is really grateful for that. Hyejin don't make me laugh."

"No, I am serious!" Hyejin contradicted Chul's statement with a stern look on her face.

The talk attracted the attention of the duke.

"What's going on here?" He asked sternly. "Father, she returned everything" Chul replied teasingly, "I had already said to you earlier give these to Hyejin for her excellent work."

"She returned the hanboks?"

The Duke was curious but his face showed signs of sadness.

"Yes, she did!" Hyejin said with a smile.

"Are you lying?"

"No.. she said that she was already grateful for the food, clothing and shelter you provide, your grace." Hyejin replied and thought that the duke might give her the beautiful hanboks which were no longer in any use.

"How much did these clothes cost?"

"15,481 won" Chul said looking at the clothes. Upon realising the amount to be paid, he said shockingly, "That's expensive!"

"Keep these clothes" The Duke said. Hyejin smiled with thought that the clothes were for her, but it faded immediately when the duke mentioned, "Keep these clothes secretly. I am buying this for Ha Yoon Kang and never let her know."

"What?!" Hyejin and Chul both were shocked with the duke's sudden declaration.