In the early dawn, Eom Sang Gung’s urgent voice echoed through the inner quarters.

It was unusual for Eom Sang Gung, who rarely rushed for anything.

As she hurriedly tried to get dressed and stand up, Lee Woon’s arm held her back.

“Has the world turned upside down? What’s happening for Eom Sang Gung to be here at dawn…!”

Yoon Eun Seol looked at him rising hastily with surprised eyes.

Lee Woon, pale-faced, quickly put on the clothes he had laid beside him.

“My lord?”

“Could it be from the palace… Quickly, let Eom Sang Gung in.”

She then understood why he was so tense.

Unless there was bad news from the palace, Eom Sang Gung would have no reason to wake them so early. With an anxious heart, she had Eom Sang Gung brought in.

“My lady. What should we do about this?”

“What is it?”

“Well…”

Seeing Eom Sang Gung trailing off, she knew something was seriously wrong.

Unable to contain himself any longer, Lee Woon raised his voice.

“Eom Sang Gung, stop hesitating and speak up.”

“The maid who was staying with Min Ah just came.”

“Why would that house’s maid come at dawn?”

“She says the Minister of War has passed away.”

“What? What did you just say? What happened to Father?”

She asked again, wondering if she had misheard.

It was hard to believe that a healthy person had suddenly passed away.

Lee Woon took her hand as she sat dazed, and asked Eom Sang Gung.

“Tell me what happened. How could a perfectly fine person suddenly die?”

To his question, Eom Sang Gung only sighed.

“Why can’t you speak?”

“It seems Min Ah poisoned the Minister. And, she also drank the poison. It appears the child planned a double suicide.”

“Are, are you saying Min Ah is dead?”

“The Hanseongbu’s examination found that both had ingested poison. The maid outside says she has something to give to you, my lady. Please meet her directly and ask.”

Shortly after, Eom Sang Gung brought the maid into the room.

The maid who had witnessed her master’s death still looked pale.

Her eyes seemed uneasy, and she looked around as if being chased.

Even when told to sit comfortably, the maid’s hands were still trembling.

“When did he pass away?”

“Two days ago. I wanted to come earlier but couldn’t. The lady said the Master’s body was shameful to see and took it home.”

To mother, rather than feeling sorrow for father’s death, the fact that he committed suicide with Min Ah must have been shameful.

“Who is watching over Min Ah now?”

“The person who had been watching over the young lady is guarding her. Though it was called surveillance, he helped the young lady a lot.”

The maid’s eyes reddened. Choking back tears, she spoke.

“How pitiful is the young lady. She was truly a kind person, but I never saw her smile even once. I’m not sure if I should say this, but…”

As the maid hesitated, glancing around, she gestured for her to continue. The maid’s voice continued calmly.

“The Master was worse than a beast. Once, when he tried to assault me, the young lady stopped him. That night, instead of me, she had to endure a horrible, shameful night. Until dawn, her screams could be heard from the room.”

Having finished speaking, the maid began to weep bitterly.

“He truly was worse than a beast. If only I had known earlier, I wouldn’t have let that child go like that…”

Yoon Eun Seol silently swallowed her tears. The maid took out an envelope from her bosom and handed it to her.

“The young lady entrusted this to me. She said to make sure to give it to you if anything happened.”

Inside the envelope was a letter. Her gaze turned to the maid.

“Did you know about this too?”

“Pardon?”

“If you received something like this from Min Ah, you should have noticed. Did you truly not know?”

She raised her voice without realizing. The maid turned pale and prostrated herself on the floor.

“I’m sorry. I really didn’t know the young lady would make such a choice. I thought it was a letter requesting help in case of danger. Really.”

Yoon Eun Seol silently stared into space. Lee Woon, who had been quietly watching beside her, comforted her and asked the maid.

“Raise your head. What fault could you have? What’s to be done with Min Ah’s body?”

“The warrior watching over the young lady said he would lay her to rest in a good place.”

“I see, thank you. If you need any help, come anytime. You may go now.”

After Eom Sang Gung and the maid left, a heavy silence fell in the room.

Watching her sit motionless with her gaze lowered, he spoke with difficulty.

“When day breaks, people will likely come from the main house. But, I won’t send you.”

“I have no desire to go either. I never had a father to begin with. No matter what people say, I won’t go.”

“Do as you wish. Ignore what people say. If there’s blame to be taken, I’ll take it.”

She didn’t want to face those people or care about them. If possible, she wanted to cut ties and live her own life.

Even her father’s death couldn’t change her mind. People would make up all sorts of stories about her not going.

She thought that might be why Lee Woon was worried.

“It’s a letter Min Ah left. Please read it.”

Yoon Eun Seol slowly unfolded the letter in her hand.

The neat handwriting on the white paper somehow looked pitiful.

−This is Jung Min Ah.

I was truly grateful that you listened to my story with your heart and shared my pain.

Thanks to you, I was able to clear my parents’ unjust deaths and Min Seo became free. I will never forget this kindness, even after death. I hope that you, with your tender heart, will not be pained by my death.

Also, I hope Yoon Tae Soo’s death does not remain a resentment for you.

Yoon Tae Soo was not human. So, please do not grieve for him as a father.

Lastly, though it’s shameless of me, please take care of our Min Seo. She is a clever and virtuous child, and will surely be of help to you if you keep her by your side.

Please tell her of my death after some time has passed. She won’t be able to handle it now.

I’m sorry to leave like this without repaying all of your kindness.

Please be happy.

Her arm fell limply after reading the letter.

“I understand her feelings, but she should have stayed alive by our side. How could she leave like that, what about Min Seo left behind? How will that child bear it when she learns of this?”

“We must let her endure it. She said she’s a clever child, so she will endure well.”

How could Min Seo possibly endure this fact?

Her heart felt heavy.

Lee Woon’s face was also full of worry as he held her two hands.

* * *

Early in the morning, someone came from the main house but was sent back.

They came several more times after that, but were turned away without even entering the palace quarters.

Though she truly felt uncomfortable, she had no desire to go at all.

She went outside to calm her troubled mind.

Eom Sang Gung, who was about to go to the fabric shop, saw her and confirmed the list of orders.

“Order warm and good quality items if possible. This winter seems like it will be quite cold.”

“Understood.”

“How is Min Seo doing?”

“She’s been cleaning the separate quarters all day. It’s no use telling her not to. She’s extraordinarily diligent.”

“I should go see Min Seo. Oh, and I’d like to keep Min Ah’s matter a secret for now. It’s partly what Min Ah wanted, but also because I don’t think Min Seo can handle it yet.”

Understanding what she meant, Eom Sang Gung nodded.

As she entered the separate building after parting with Eom Sang Gung, Min Seo, who had been sitting on the porch, ran to greet her.

“I heard you cleaned all day. Aren’t you tired?”

“I just wanted to do something. I’m fine.”

“I see. Let’s go inside. I have something to tell you.”

After entering the room, Yoon Eun Seol looked at the remarkably tidier room and asked Min Seo.

“The room has changed so much. Now it looks like a room people live in. Did you do all this?”

Min Seo blushed shyly at her praise.

Seeing this, her heart felt heavy as she had to tell Min Seo about Min Ah.

“Min Seo. I came to tell you news of your sister.”

“Does my sister know I’m here? When can I see her?”

“Well, it seems Min Ah has joined a trading company in Dongnae, and she went to Qing a few days ago with the company members. If she had known you were coming today, she would have waited, but I’ll let you know as soon as we hear from her, so let’s wait a little.”

“Yes. I can wait as long as it takes. As long as I can see my sister, I can endure and wait.”

Min Seo was trying to look resolute, but her eyes were brimming with tears.

It pained her heart to see Min Seo biting her lip hard, trying not to cry.

“I will be able to see Sister Min Ah, right?”

Min Seo, who had been quietly holding back tears, finally showed her tears and asked in a trembling voice.

“Come closer.”

She embraced Min Seo as she approached on her knees.

The child, accustomed to enduring, didn’t make a sound even as tears flowed.

It felt like seeing herself as a child, making her heart ache.

She comforted the sobbing Min Seo, gently patting her shoulder.

How much time had passed?

Feeling stifled, she took Min Seo outside. Sitting on the porch of the separate quarters basking in warm sunlight, she learned how to tie knots from Min Seo.

She was lost in watching how neatly Min Seo tied knots with her small hands.

“Who taught you?”

“My mother taught me. All the knots on father’s waist and scabbard were made by mother.”

Min Seo, focusing on the knot and moving her hands diligently, murmured as if to herself.

“I want to do the same when I meet someone I love.”

“How could I let our precious Min Seo get married? I’d like to keep you by my side forever.”

“Then I’ll stay by your side forever.”

“What about your loved one?”

She touched Min Seo’s cheek and smiled affectionately. She really felt too precious to let go.

“What are you doing outside in this cold wind?”

A low, pleasant voice was heard from a distance.