🌻 Torn Between Duty and Heart
Tian Ke gently laid Ruqi upon the bed, ensuring her wounds were tended to before leaving the room. Qian'ai followed close behind, and Seo Ju hesitated at the door, his gaze lingering on the young woman. It was then that Ji-nara appeared from around the corner, her sudden presence sending a chill through the air.
"Ruqi spoke of Mongolian invaders," Tian Ke said, his voice low but carrying an undeniable authority. Seo Ju froze in place, his eyes widening as he turned to face Ji-nara, his complexion paling. With a shaky breath, he glanced back at Tian Ke, struggling to retain his composure.
"Do you know what it is they seek?" Seo Ju inquired, his voice taut with unease.
Tian Ke's expression darkened, a shadow crossing his face as he struggled to mask his growing concern. "That is the very matter we are troubled by... We have had no dealings with the Mongols. I cannot fathom why they would come here and harm Ruqi."
Ji-nara's breath hitched, a subtle tremor running through her form. She lowered her gaze, her eyelids fluttering shut as she struggled to regain her composure.
"Perhaps they seek knowledge of—" Qian'ai spoke, his voice soft but urgent.
"I still carry it with me," Tian Ke interrupted sharply, his gaze snapping to Qian'ai, a silent but powerful exchange passing between them. The weight of unspoken words hung heavily in the air. Seo Ju's curiosity deepened, his mind racing to piece together what lay behind the Mongolian attack. Yet, his thoughts could not stray far from the unsettling fact that the invaders hailed from Mongolia.
"I... I would like to retire for the evening," Ji-nara said softly, her words barely a murmur. Tian Ke and Qian'ai exchanged a brief look before nodding in silent agreement.
"Very well," Tian Ke replied, his voice gentler now, tinged with a hint of weariness. "You may rest in Yun Yuhua's chamber for the night."
Ji-nara nodded quickly, her gaze fixed firmly on the floor as though the weight of the world bore down on her. She could feel her heart race, a cold dread settling in her chest. Without uttering another word, she turned and hurried away, her footsteps echoing faintly in the quiet hallway, but inside, her mind was spiraling. The very mention of the Mongol invaders sent a wave of terror through her, though she dared not say it aloud. She couldn't. Not yet. The boys stayed up throughout the night, speaking little but watching with guarded eyes, ever watchful for the return of the threat. In her room, Ji-nara lay awake, the image of the invaders' faces haunting her thoughts, the knowledge of who they truly were tearing at her from within. She squeezed her eyes shut, praying for an escape from the gnawing truth.
Suddenly, there was a knock at her door. The sound was sharp in the silence, and Ji-nara jumped, a flutter of panic rising in her throat. She stood quickly, her hands trembling as she reached for the door. She cracked it open, barely enough to see Seo Ju's form in the dim hallway, his features tense, almost too still.
"Yes?" she murmured, her voice tight and breathless, betraying the fear she fought so hard to contain.
"They will come again. You must act swiftly to prevent things from worsening," Seo Ju warned, his tone low, heavy with urgency. Ji-nara's heart hammered in her chest, and her breath hitched. She bit her lower lip so hard that it hurt, trying desperately to calm the storm inside her. Her mind screamed to speak, to explain the truth, but she couldn't—she couldn't risk it.
"But I…" she faltered, her words failing her as a lump formed in her throat.
Seo Ju's eyes narrowed, his gaze unwavering as he leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper, urgent and sharp. "What is more important to you? The lives of the innocent or your selfish desires at this moment?"
The weight of his words landed like a blow. Ji-nara's breath caught in her throat, and the fragile wall she had built around her emotions began to crumble. She felt a tear slip down her cheek before she could stop it. The truth—the horrible, suffocating truth—clung to her like a second skin, but the very thought of revealing it twisted her insides.
"Orabeoni…" she choked, her voice shaking with frustration and helplessness. "What more do you want from me? I have already told you—I will not marry him!" Her voice broke on the last word, and the fear that she had so carefully hidden spilled over into her every word. Seo Ju looked at her, his expression softening with sorrow, but there was no warmth in his gaze. It was a sorrow that held no comfort for her. The weight of his silence pressed down harder than any words could.
"If any harm befalls Yun Yuhua because of your indecision," he said coldly, his tone like ice, "I will not forgive you."
His words echoed in her ears as he turned away, his footsteps fading into the quiet night, leaving her alone to face the haunting truth she dared not speak aloud. The fear she once buried deep within her now rose like a tide, swallowing her whole. She was trapped in a nightmare of her own making, and there was no way out. That night, Ji-nara fled, feeling hopeless and the cause of all misery. She left behind only a note, trembling and sorrowful: "Forgive me."
When morning came, the inn stirred to life. Yun Yuhua hurried to Ji-nara's chamber to wake her, only to find the bed cold and empty, a scrap of parchment left behind. Her heart clenched as she snatched up the note and ran straight to Tian Ke.
"Ke Gege, Ji-nara…" Yun Yuhua called out, her voice breaking. She faltered when Tian Ke turned toward her, the worry in his eyes deadly serious. Without a word, she thrust the note into his hand. He read it once, then again, his expression tightening with every line.
"She…" he murmured under his breath.
"She's gone," Yun Yuhua said, her voice small. Tian Ke closed his hand around the note until it crumpled in his fist. Across the room, Seo Ju watched silently, his face unreadable. A long sigh slipped from him, but whether it was from relief or regret, even he could not tell.
Without another word, Tian Ke snatched up his sword and stormed toward the inn's entrance. But before he could step into the street, a palanquin pulled up and blocked his path. Yun Yuhua and Qian'ai rushed to his side, standing firm beside him. Behind the door, Seo Ju stayed hidden, watching warily.
The palanquin's curtain was thrown back, and a woman stepped out, her gaze fierce and unwavering as it locked onto Tian Ke. Behind her, a small force of guards assembled, their presence a silent threat.
"Where is my daughter, Jinaran?" the woman demanded sharply in Mongolian. The three of them stiffened, understanding enough to catch the meaning—and the name. The woman's eyes narrowed further as she scrutinized Tian Ke.
"You," she said in halting but sharp Joseon, "you are no son of Joseon."
Tian Ke smirked faintly, standing tall and unflinching.
"And who might you be, demanding a daughter I know nothing of?" he asked coolly. The woman scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain.
"I have come to reclaim my daughter. Word has reached me she clings to some man here, though a proper suitor awaits her elsewhere."
"And what has that to do with me?" Tian Ke said, his voice as sharp as the blade at his side. The woman let out a frustrated breath, glaring at him with unmasked contempt.
"Seo Ju, I know you are there!" she shouted suddenly. All heads turned in shock. From the shadows, Seo Ju sighed deeply and stepped out into view, his expression unreadable.
"Let us speak inside," Seo Ju said grimly. The woman's glare flickered between Seo Ju and Tian Ke, her anger burning hotter with every breath. It was clear now; this storm was far from over.
They sat together, tension hanging in the air. Seo Ju was facing the woman, while Tian Ke and Qian'ai sat beside him. Yun Yuhua poured tea for everyone, offering each a cup before stepping behind Tian Ke. The woman fixed her gaze on Seo Ju, then turned her attention to Tian Ke, her eyes narrowing with obvious disdain. Her glance finally landed on Yun Yuhua, whose calm beauty made her stand out in the room. A bitter smirk curled her lips as she realized why Seo Ju had come.
"Is she the reason you have kept silent all this time?" the woman asked, her tone cold and pointed. Seo Ju gave no outward reaction to her words.
"Imo-min," he spoke softly but with authority, "you must watch your words. Ji-nara ran away because you forced her into a marriage with a man she could not bear."
The woman growled lowly, sighing heavily in frustration.
"Her life would have been better there, if not for him. Who else could offer her a better life—"
"Are you speaking as her mother, or as a political pawn?" Seo Ju interrupted, his voice cutting through the air. The woman froze, her face darkening as she glared at him.
"What do you mean by that? Are you saying I do not care for my own daughter?"
"I did not say that, Imo-min," Seo Ju replied, his tone measured. "I am only asking if you are here to support your daughter, or your own interests."
Her gaze faltered for a moment, though her composure remained outwardly intact. Watching quietly from behind, Yun Yuhua sensed the inner turmoil that flickered in the woman's eyes. With a soft sigh, Yun Yuhua closed her eyes, a quiet sadness in her heart for the troubled mother and daughter.
"Lady Ji-nara smiles with true joy when she is among us. That she would flee in the deep of night shows how heavily sorrow and worry must weigh upon her heart," Yun Yuhua said, stepping forward with quiet resolve. The woman turned sharply toward her, displeased that an unfamiliar girl dared to speak thus. Yet Yun Yuhua neither faltered nor lowered her gaze.
"My brothers and I also care deeply for her. Having her walk alongside us has been a blessing beyond words," Yun Yuhua continued, her voice steady and respectful. "Though her spirit may seem unruly, her heart is as warm and sincere as any could hope for. Would you not wish for your daughter to choose a happier road than the one you yourself have walked?"
The woman remained silent, her lips pressed tightly together, unable to refute Yun Yuhua's words. There was truth in them. Ji-nara had fled because she had been unhappy. Seo Ju exhaled a soft sigh of relief, thankful that his aunt had not rebuffed Yun Yuhua's intervention. He let out another sigh, quieter this time.
"I wish to speak with her alone. Would you all please step outside?" Seo Ju requested, his voice careful but firm. Tian Ke regarded the woman solemnly before turning to his siblings.
"Let us leave them to it," he said resolutely. They all bowed respectfully before withdrawing from the room. The woman, now alone with Seo Ju, slammed her palm against the table in frustration.
"What is this nonsense? You—"
"Imo-min," Seo Ju interrupted, his tone unwavering, "Do not forget, they could still be listening. I ask you, hold your tongue." His words were cold but laden with a weight that left no room for argument. He stepped closer, his gaze sharp, commanding her attention. "Ji-nara fled the moment your men stormed the inn. She... she has chosen him. She believes that he is the one who will heal the wounds you have left in her heart."