The small, humble house had a quiet, modest aura, nestled at the edge of the village. Its wooden walls, faded by time, told a story of simplicity, while the modest garden, neatly tended by Haesoo herself, offered a quiet escape from the chaos of the world outside.
Haesoo lived here with her aunt after the tragic loss of her parents. Despite the hardships, the love between them remained strong, a thread that kept them together through the hardest of times.
Haesoo took off her shoes, her body aching all over. Jeez! The palace court ladies from earlier had left her exhausted.
But wait… what will become of them? She thought, her brows knitting together. The Queen can't possibly order them to be killed, right?
Haesoo shook her head, trying to dispel the evil thoughts. No, the Queen couldn't be that vicious. She sighed and pouted. It's their fault for badmouthing the elderly in front of me...
She placed her shoes to the side and was about to enter when the sound of a plate crashing from her mother's room startled her.
She snapped her head to the side, her eyes wide. What could that be? Without hesitation, she slipped her shoes back on and ran toward her mother's room.
Eun glared at Jiwoon, who stood transfixed, sheepishly smiling at him. The broken plates were scattered all over the room.
"Hey, I told you to be careful!" Eun muttered under his breath.
He handed Jiwoon the lantern, then bent over to pick up the broken pieces of the plate when, out of nowhere, a crazed bull-like force charged at him, sending him flying across the room.
Before he could recover from the vicious hit, Haesoo charged at him with a broom, swinging it fiercely.
What's going on? Eun thought, bewildered, as she attacked him. He could barely dodge the blows as she continued to swing the broom in all directions, her fury evident.
"How dare you, bastard?!" Haesoo screamed, chasing after the two palace court ladies with the broom.
Eun grit his teeth furiously. Who is this crazy person? He was burning with rage, but at the same time, he couldn't help but be impressed by her determination.
"Who are you?" Eun yelled, trying to catch his breath.
"Who is she? Wow, this damn burglar..." Eun began, but Haesoo cut him off.
How dare he question her when he should be begging for his life? She thought, still enraged as she continued her pursuit.
Haesoo stopped chasing them, stomped her foot down, and gritted her teeth fiercely.
"Who am I? Wait till you find out!" she retorted, then jumped toward Eun, stretching her hand forward, reaching for his hair.
Eun staggered back to dodge her grasp, but he lost his balance, and Haesoo fell right on top of him. Their faces were mere inches apart, and she could feel the warmth of his breath against her skin.
"Wow!" Jiwoon squealed, covering his face in embarrassment.
Haesoo stood up abruptly, her cheeks flushed with fury. "Hey! You crazy..." she started to yell, but Eun quickly grabbed her wrist, stopping her from slapping him.
Just then, the door flung open.
"What's going on here? Haesoo…" Yoonyi stuttered, her eyes widening as she saw the scene unfolding, Haesoo's hand still held by Eun.