Magistrate Office — Just Before Dawn
The sky outside was still dark, but a soft gray light had started to creep in, slipping through the windows of the Magistrate office. Everything was quiet. The city was still asleep, and the halls inside the building felt cold and lonely.
Seo Jin sat at his desk, not moving. His candle had burned low, the wax hardened in a messy puddle. His desk was cluttered with old scrolls, open books, and unfinished reports, but he wasn't reading any of them. His eyes were stuck on the dart resting beside his inkstone. The same dart he had picked up and smelled at least ten times since the night before.
He picked it up again, slowly, and brought it to his nose. That strange smell was still there—light, sweet, almost floral—but it was nothing he could recognize. It didn't smell like any of the usual herbs or poisons. It wasn't bitter. It wasn't sharp. It was too soft, too pleasant, almost... calming. But that made it even more dangerous in his eyes.
He leaned back in his chair, still holding the dart, lost in thought as the sky slowly turned from dark blue to a pale morning gray.
---
Jang Residence — Eun Sook's Chambers (Early Morning)
The morning sun entered through the wooden slats of the windows. The room was quiet, with only the faint rustling of the wind outside.
Jang Eun Sook sat on the edge of her bedding, her white under-robe falling loosely around her shoulders. Her long black hair was unbrushed, hanging down her back up to her waist. Her face looked calm, but her eyes were far away, empty, like she wasn't really there.
She kept replaying Madam Jung's words in her head—over and over, like a whisper that refused to leave. She hadn't said anything at the time, but now, she couldn't stop thinking about it. Her heart felt heavy, but she didn't show it.
A soft knock came at the door.
"My Lady," Na Bi called gently. "I've prepared a bath for you."
Eun Sook didn't answer. She stood slowly and walked past her maid without a word.
The bathhouse was warm and full of steam. The wooden pool sat in the center of the room, filled with hot water. Na Bi was already there, kneeling by the side and pouring more water into the pool.
Eun Sook stepped in quietly and sank into the water, her arms resting on the sides. The steam curled around her face. Her eyes stared at the surface of the water, but her mind was somewhere else.
Na Bi looked up at her, hesitated for a moment, then spoke.
"You've been quiet since we went to Cheongjeonghan," she said softly. "Did Madam Jung say something or do something to bother you?"
Eun Sook didn't reply. The water shifted slightly as she leaned back.
Then her voice came out, low and hollow. "Which is worse… to kill an innocent man… or to seduce an innocent man and use his feelings for you to break him?"
Na Bi froze. The ladle in her hand stopped mid-pour. She looked at Eun Sook, her face filled with concern.
"…Are you talking about Lord Seo Jin?" she asked quietly.
Eun Sook didn't answer. She just sighed, leaned her head back, and closed her eyes.
Na Bi looked down, her hands tightening around the wooden ladle. Her chest ached, but she had no words to give. She didn't know the answer. Maybe there wasn't one.
All she knew was that whatever choice Eun Sook was struggling with—it was hurting her.
---
Magistrate Office — Later in the Morning
The sun had risen fully now, casting golden light into the office. But the warmth didn't reach Seo Jin. He was still sitting in the same place, his eyes dull, the dart still lying on the table in front of him.
The door opened with a creak, and Officer Ki Tae walked in, holding two folded reports under his arm.
"You didn't go home again?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Seo Jin didn't respond. He just looked down at the dart.
Officer Ki Tae walked over and sat across from him. "My lord, are you still thinking about that thing?"
Seo Jin gave a small nod, barely noticeable.
Ki Tae sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Then go to an apothecary or perfume merchant already. Ask someone who works with herbs and smells all day. They'll know more than us."
Seo Jin finally looked up at him, silent.
"There are plenty of places in the capital," Ki Tae added. "One of them must know what it is."
Seo Jin stood up slowly and put the dart into his sleeve.
---
Jang Residence — Breakfast Hall
The Jang family almost never ate together. But that morning, the entire house was gathered in the breakfast hall. The table was set with dishes—steamed rice, porridge, meat, and vegetables. The smell of hot broth filled the air.
Lord Jang Hyun sat at the head, dressed neatly as always. His sharp eyes scanned the table as he sipped from his teacup. The servants moved quietly around them, placing food without making noise.
Jang Eun Sook sat beside him, dressed a beautiful soft pink hanbok, silent as ever, her hands folded neatly in her lap. She barey touched her food. Her expression was calm, almost blank, but her eyes seemed tired. Yeon Woo sat across from her, poking at her food with a sour face, clearly annoyed about eating with Eun Sook.
Jang Hyun cleared his throat, putting his cup down.
"I'll be leaving the capital for a while," he said, breaking the silence. "Some business in Jeonju. I'll be gone a few weeks."
No one responded right away. The room felt even quieter.
He looked at Eun Sook. "You'll manage the house while I'm gone."
She gave a small nod. No questions. No complaints.
"If anything comes up, I'll send word by messenger bird. Watch for it."
She nodded again. But she understood. That message might not just be about household matters.
Yeon Woo rolled her eyes and muttered, "You're always gone anyway…"
Jang Hyun didn't react. "Do either of you want anything from the south?" he asked casually. "I'll bring gifts."
Yeon Woo's mood perked up. "I want a perfume satchel from Gyeongju. The good kind. Not the cheap ones in the local market."
He looked at Eun Sook. "And you?"
She shook her head. "Nothing."
He smiled faintly. "I'll still bring you something."
Yeon Woo let her spoon drop loudly onto the plate, making everyone look her way.
---
Capital Streets — Later That Day
The capital was alive with noise and color. Merchants shouted, people haggled over prices, children ran down alleys, and the smell of cooked rice and spices floated through the air.
Seo Jin walked through it all, walking in between people and carts. His mind wasn't on the crowd. He was thinking about the dart.
He had already visited three apothecaries. All had sniffed the dart, shrugged, and guessed things that didn't help. Flowers. Incense. Old roots. No one was sure.
The fourth place was older. Dust clung to the shelves, and the shop smelled like old wood and dried plants. An old man stood behind the counter, glasses sitting on the bridge of his nose.
He took the dart carefully and sniffed it.
"This is unusual," the old man muttered. "I've been working with herbs for thirty-five years. Are you sure this isn't a women's perfume? It smells very sweet. This smell… doesn't come from around here."
Seo Jin leaned closer. "Then where?"
The old man shrugged. "Maybe somewhere in the southern provinces. Or deeper in the mountains. But definitely not the capital."
Seo Jin gave a short nod. Another dead end. But at least now he knew he had to search farther.
---
Jang Residence — Outside the Gate
The sun was high in the sky now. The horses were ready. The bags were packed.
Jang Hyun stood by the gate of the estate, dressed in his dark traveling robes. His hat created a shadow over his face, but his eyes were alert.
Guards and servants waited behind him, checking the carts and securing ropes.
Eun Sook and Yeon Woo stood near the gate, seeing him off.
"I'll send word when I arrive," Jang Hyun said.
Yeon Woo crossed her arms. "Have a safe journey, Father. Don't forget my perfume."
He gave a soft chuckle. "I won't."
He turned to Eun Sook, more serious now. "You already know what to do."
She nodded.
"If anything happens don't forget to send a messenger bird too. If my messenger bird doesn't come, I'll find another way to send word."
She didn't speak, but her eyes said she understood.
Jang Hyun climbed onto his horse, pulled the reins, and gave one last look at the estate before riding off.
Yeon Woo stared after him, her arms still crossed, her face stiff.
Eun Sook just stood there, quiet, watching the dust rise behind him.