The long awaited banquet finally began. It was a grand event meant to celebrate and display the grace and charm of Princess Wang Min Suh. She sat at the head of the pavilion with her posture straight, every movement exuding the confidence of someone who knew she was admired. Her beauty shone brightly under the warm glow of lanterns, her delicate features illuminated like the moon on a clear night. Every guest who entered couldn't help but glance at her, some in awe while others with envy.
The hall itself was stunning, with rich silks draping the walls, and the golden light from the lanterns casting a soft glow over everything. Eunuchs in their finest robes moved swiftly as they announced each arrival with formal precision. One by one, nobles and dignitaries entered, bowing low to the princess, their words carefully chosen to show their respect. The air was filled with whispered conversations, quiet laughter, and the sound of expensive silk brushing against the floor.
Among them was Seo Jin. The moment he stepped in, the atmosphere shifted slightly, as if the very air took notice of him. He hadn't wanted to attend, but duty had left him with little choice. Still, whether he wished for it or not, his presence drew attention. With his sharp features and effortless grace, he stood out, a man who never tried to command the room but always did.
As he approached the princess, her face lit up with a rare, genuine smile—one that didn't come from mere courtesy but from something deeper. Seo Jin offered a respectful bow, his dark eyes meeting hers for only a brief second before he straightened and moved on.
In contrast, Wang Yul, the princess's older half-brother, entered without the usual formalities. He didn't bow, nor did he follow the rigid etiquette expected of others. But between them, such rules didn't exist. Instead, Min Suh gave him a knowing look, and he responded with a smirk as he leaned in slightly. "I left a gift for you," he murmured. "It's already in your chambers."
Her cheeks flushed slightly, but she quickly masked it with a composed nod.
Then came Jang Yeon Woo, the youngest daughter of the prestigious Jang family. Dressed in a finely embroidered silk hanbok, she looked as elegant as the first blossoms of spring. As she approached the princess, the warmth in Min Suh's expression faded, replaced by something sharper—curiosity laced with suspicion.
"Why did you come instead of your older sister?" Min Suh asked, her tone light but pointed. "The invitation of the banquet was for the oldest of each family?"
Yeon Woo didn't flinch. She lowered her gaze slightly, her voice calm and respectful. "My sister is unwell, Your Highness. She could not attend, so I had to attend in her stead." She then expressed her gratitude for the invitation before taking her leave, but the tension from their exchange lingered, a shadow over the otherwise lively gathering.
When all the guests had arrived, Min Suh rose gracefully from her seat, her voice carrying through the hall. "Thank you for joining me tonight. Please, enjoy the festivities."
A wave of excitement rippled through the crowd as the evening's entertainment began. The first performer, a well-known musician, enchanted the audience with his melodies, each song stirring admiration. The applause grew louder with each act, building the energy in the room.
Then came the fan dance. The gisaengs stepped forward, dressed in flowing teal hanboks, their movements precise, their fans opening and closing in perfect harmony. The way they glided across the floor, their sleeves billowing like waves, left the audience captivated.
Except for Seo Jin. He remained indifferent, his gaze distant. The beauty of the performance did nothing for him—his mind was elsewhere.
But then, the main act began, and everything changed.
The room hushed as the first notes of the sword dance filled the air. From the shadows, a lone figure stepped forward. Jang Eun Sook. Unlike her sister, she had not been expected.
Clad in a deep plum hanbok, her face concealed behind a mask, she carried an air of quiet power. Her first movements were slow, controlled—a deliberate prelude. Her steps were light but firm, her sleeves swirling as she twirled, each motion graceful yet strong. Then, as the tempo of the music increased, she drew her sword.
The blade gleamed under the lantern light. With each swift, precise movement, she told a story—one of battle, of survival, of fury held back but never forgotten. She danced as if she were fighting an invisible enemy, her strikes sharp, her presence commanding.
For the first time that night, Seo Jin's attention was caught. His eyes followed her every move, drawn in despite himself.
He wasn't the only one. Choi Jung, the younger brother of Choi Wook, also watched, his usual arrogance momentarily replaced by something else—fascination.
Eun Sook's movements became more intense, her body moving in perfect sync with the music. There was something raw in the way she wielded the sword, an unspoken rage hiding beneath her performance. The head gisaeng, Madam Han, who played the gayageum, watched closely, her fingers plucking the strings with ease. But there was something in her eyes—pride, yes, but also worry.
Then, the final strike. A sharp turn, a swift slash through the air, and she was still.
The room erupted in applause. Yet, as the sound filled the hall, Eun Sook remained unmoved. Without a word, she gestured toward the head gisaeng before turning to leave the stage.
Choi Jung, emboldened by curiosity and his own reputation, followed.
As Eun Sook stepped outside, she glanced down at her hanbok . It was too fancy—too easy to recognize. She needed something simpler before heading home.
Turning to Na Bi, she said, "Get me another hanbok."
Na Bi nodded and hurried off. She soon returned with a simple hanbok from the gisaengs' reserve. Eun Sook took it and looked around, then stopped a passing servant. "Is there a place I can change?"
The servant bowed and gestured ahead. "This way, my lady."
As Eun Sook followed the servant, Na Bi moved to go with her, but Eun Sook stopped her. "Go help Na Mu prepare for our leave. We shouldn't stay too long."
Na Bi hesitated, then bowed and left to do as she was told.
Choi Jung smirked from the shadows, watching. And then, when she moved toward a secluded room to change, he followed.
Inside the banquet hall, the celebrations continued. Laughter, music, the clinking of cups—until a sudden scream pierced through it all.
Silence fell. A servant rushed in, breathless. "Young Master Choi Jung—he's in danger!"
Seo Jin, Wang Yul, Choi Wook, and Princess Min Suh immediately moved, the guests trailing behind.
They arrived to a shocking scene.
Eun Sook stood there, her sword pressed to Choi Jung's throat. She had changed into a pale pink hanbok, but her expression was anything but soft. Her eyes blazed, her grip on the weapon firm.
Min Suh's fury was instant. "Who dares draw a weapon in my presence?!"
The realization that the sword belonged to a gisaeng only angered her more. She ordered Eun Sook to release him, but Eun Sook didn't waver.
"He saw my body," she said, her voice calm but ice-cold. "For that, he must die."
The princess's face darkened. "You are just a lowly gisaeng!"
Guards appeared, their swords drawn. Blood began to trickle from Choi Jung's neck, his bravado gone. He stammered, pleading "I re.. really didn't s..see anything. I am very sorry. Please spare me"
Then, a voice cut through the chaos. "Sister!"
Jang Yeon Woo.
Murmurs spread. Head Gisaeng Han stepped forward and knelt. "Your Highness, forgive this misunderstanding. She is not a gisaeng. She is the eldest daughter of the Jang family—Jang Eun Sook."
Min Suh turned sharply to Yeon Woo. "Is this true?"
Yeon Woo, trembling, nodded. "Yes, Your Highness, she is my sister. Please forgive her rudeness."
"My Lady please, spare him. Please spare him for my sake" Madam Han pleaded.
After a long pause, Eun Sook finally lowered her sword.
Choi Jung, pale and shaken, muttered an apology.
Princess Min Suh's face burned with rage as she slapped her brother-in-law, the sharp sound cutting through the tense air. Without another word, she turned on her heel and stormed away, her eyes flashing with both fury and humiliation.
As she passed, she shot a venomous glare at Yeon Woo, a silent warning that sent a shiver down the young woman's spine. What had once been mere envy toward her sister had now twisted into hatred—fueled by the princess's cold indifference and the humiliation of the night's events.
Meanwhile, Na Mu and Na Bi rushed to their lady's side, their expressions tight with worry. Na Mu carefully draped a thick, warm cloth over Eun Sook's shoulders, shielding her from the creeping evening chill. Princess Min Suh, her posture stiff with barely restrained anger, abruptly called an end to the banquet. What was supposed to be a grand celebration stretching from sunrise to nightfall was cut short, leaving the gathered nobles murmuring in confusion. The once-lively atmosphere had soured, replaced by an uneasy silence.
Beneath her composed exterior, Min Suh's heart burned with resentment. The night had unraveled into a disaster, tainted by her brother-in-law's blatant disrespect and his utter lack of decorum. But worst of all, Jang Eun Sook had humiliated her—not just with open defiance but by effortlessly stealing the admiration of everyone present. This was supposed to be her moment, a night that would remind the court of her power and grace. Instead, she had been overshadowed, and she would not allow it to happen again. Clenching her fists, she made a silent vow—Eun Sook would regret ever crossing her.