A Heart Hardened

The passing of Su Ryeon cast a long shadow over the Gisaeng house. Where sorrow should have taken root, Mi Hyang found her resolve growing stronger and her heart getting colder. The other Gisaengs noticed her lack of tears and her seeming indifference to the loss of her friend. Whispers followed her through the halls.

"Did you see her? Not a single tear drop for Su Ryeon," one Gisaeng whispered, her voice tinged with suspicion.

"Of course. Mi Hyang was never a real friend. She is probably glad Su Ryeon is gone so she can finally be the center of attention," another replied, shaking her head.

Their gossip were the least of Mi Hyang's concerns. She had no room for tears or gossip; her mind was consumed with thoughts of revenge. Every spare moment she had was spent practicing with her sword, honing her skills with a single-minded determination. She remembered the promise she had made to herself—to bring retribution to Lord Cha for his cruelty and betrayal.

Though her actions brought gossips in the Gisaeng house, she had picked the attention of a nobleman, who watched her with utmost curiosity.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

One Week Later 

 A week after the passing of Su Ryeon, Lord Cha arrived at the Gisaeng house again with his presence exuding menace. He stormed into the courtyard and his voice echoed through the halls as he barked his threats.

"If Mi Hyang isn't handed over to me, I will shut this place down," he declared, his eyes cold and calculating. "All of you will be reduced to slaves, sold off to the highest bidder. Don't even think of bringing another girl to me again! Mi Hyang is the one I want."

The threat hung heavy in the air. The Gisaeng house had little power against a man like Lord Cha. The madam of the house, Madam Han usually so composed, looked desperate as she turned to Mi Hyang.

"No, Mi Hyang," she said quietly, her voice trembling. "You can't go to him. We'll find another way."

Mi Hyang met Madam Han's eyes and then looked around at the other Gisaengs. She saw their fear, their silent pleas. She knew what she had to do. With a steadying breath, she nodded.

"I'll go," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. "I'll go with Lord Cha."

"No," the madam insisted, grabbing Mi Hyang's hand. "You don't have to do this. We'll find another way. I can't let you throw your life away for us."

Mi Hyang squeezed the madam's hand gently, a sad but resolute look in her eyes. "There is no other way. This is my choice."

The madam's eyes filled with tears, but she understood. "Be careful, Mi Hyang," she whispered, her voice breaking.

Mi Hyang didn't see it as a sacrifice. She saw it as an opportunity. Going with Lord Cha meant getting closer to the man she hated, the man she intended to destroy. She steeled herself for what lay ahead, her mind already plotting her next move.

As Mi Hyang agreed to accompany Lord Cha, a flicker of happiness momentarily danced in his eyes. However, just as they were about to depart, she interrupted, stating she needed time to prepare herself. Lord Cha, with an air of indulgent patience, consented and promised to send a palanquin at dusk.

Instead of indulging in a lavish makeover, Mi Hyang hurriedly scoured her quarters for the smallest, most concealable knives she could find. With a heart pounding in trepidation and resolve, she concealed one dagger within the folds of her hanbok. As the sun dipped below the horizon, she climbed into the palanquin, her mind a whirl of fear and determination.

Upon arriving at Lord Cha's grand residence, the stench of alcohol greeted her even before she saw him. There he was, draped languidly over a chaise, his eyes glazed and predatory. As he reached out to pull her close, Mi Hyang's hand slipped into the hidden folds of her hanbok, fingers closing around the cold steel of a dagger. Despite her resolve, she was only fourteen, and her hand trembled as she brandished the weapon. Lord Cha, sensing her hesitation, easily disarmed her, casting the dagger aside with a sneer.

Desperation welled up inside Mi Hyang as she glanced frantically around the room as she escaped from his grasp. Her gaze landed on a beautiful white porcelain vase on a nearby table. Seizing it, she shattered it against the edge of the table, picking up a piece of the broken vase in front of her. "Stay back!" she warned, her voice wavering but eyes flashing with defiance. "Stay back or I will use it to slit throat!" Mi Hyang warned as she held the broken piece of vase over her neck, threatening to end her life. 

Lord Cha laughed cruelly, advancing towards her. In a desperate struggle, as he lunged to take the broken vase from her grasp, Mi Hyang's hand slipped. The sharp edge slashed across his throat in a sudden, shocking motion. Blood gushed forth, and he collapsed, his mocking laughter replaced by gurgles of surprise and agony.

Mi Hyang stood frozen, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps, as she stared at the lifeless body of Lord Cha sprawled in a growing pool of blood. The enormity of her actions crashed over her like a tidal wave. Just as she felt her knees begin to buckle, a shadow moved in the corner of the room. A mysterious figure emerged, cloaked in darkness and secrecy, offering an outstretched hand to the trembling girl.

"Come with me," the figure whispered, their voice a soothing balm amidst the chaos. "There is no time to waste."

It was none other than the intrigued man from the previous day. He was Lord Jang Hyun, a man shrouded in mystery with a dark past that whispered through the corridors of power. Once a figure of formidable influence, his life now veiled in shadows bore witness to the scars of ambition and betrayal. 

Lord Jang Hyun, a solitary figure with a daughter and a fortune amassed through questionable means, was keenly aware of the dangers lurking beneath the surface of their society. Mi Hyang had piqued his interest as he wondered why a girl her age was so cold and her eyes filled with rage. In her, he saw a reflection of his past self—a determined soul shaped by adversity, capable of navigating the treacherous waters of their world.

As Lord Jang Hyun observed Mi Hyang, a notion began to form—a tenuous alliance born of mutual understanding and shared vulnerability. His wealth had shielded his daughter from many of life's cruelties, yet he sensed in Mi Hyang a kindred spirit, someone who, like him, had been molded by hardship and loss. In her unwavering gaze and resolute demeanor, he recognized an opportunity—a chance to forge a bond that transcended their differences and leveraged their respective strengths.

Mi Hyang's presence in Lord Jang Hyun's thoughts became more than mere curiosity; it became a silent acknowledgment of the battles fought silently and the scars carried unseen. In her, he saw a reflection of the unyielding spirit that had guided him through the tumultuous waters of business and personal strife. As he contemplated their potential alliance, a plan began to take shape—an audacious scheme that could reshape their fates and bring justice to those who had wronged them both.

Thus, as Mi Hyang embarked on her perilous journey with Lord Cha, Lord Jang Hyun watched from the shadows and his mind racing with possibilities. He saw in Mi Hyang not just a pawn in his game but a partner—a partner in a clandestine dance where trust was scarce and betrayal lurked around every corner. Together, they would navigate the treacherous paths that lay ahead, their destinies intertwined in a quest for redemption and retribution.