"Oh, Lady Seolhwa!"
"Sir Dokja?" Lady Seolhwa turned as Kim Dokja ran up to her.
"I'm so glad I can see you here, it's been ages since we've last spoken after… what happened. How are you, have you been able to recover well?" Kim Dokja eagerly questioned her. Looking over her body, she seemed to be perfectly fine, a healthy glow emanating from her skin. It was a far cry from the horrifying encounter they had last time.
Ever since the poisoning incident, the Lee Ducal had reasonably been much more uptight about who the heiress communicated with and where she went. While it only took her over a weeks' worth of rest and medicinal treatment to fully recover, she'd barely been out of her manor for the past few months. Her father had started to look over her patients until it was deemed safe for her to return to normalcy.
Because of this, the very few letters the two exchanged remained sparse and short, with Lee Seolhwa only giving vague information about her recovery. Since the hunting tournament was being held by the Royal Estate, the Lee Ducal deemed it was safe enough for her to attend, wanting to show the other nobles of their daughter's good condition while taking advantage of the high security of the palace.
"Yes, it's wonderful to see you here too. Spending all that time in my room was a bit suffocating, but thanks to my father's expertise, my recovery was swift and my condition is fine now," she graced him with a soft smile as they walked together. Kim Dokja couldn't help but marvel at her. To go though such a traumatic experience yet still be able to go about her business so casually like this… Yoo Joonghyuk may be the protagonist, but Lee Seolhwa also had earned her role as the heroine.
"Anyway, Sir Dokja, I'm assuming you're participating in the hunting tournament this year too?" She looked pointedly at his outfit. He was wearing thick leather boots that reached his knees, long pants, and a lightweight shirt.
Both his forearms and shoulders were covered with small leather armor pads. Around his waist hung a light thin sword.
Kim Dokja nodded at her, "Yes, I just finished prepping everything that I'd need for it," he said as he rested a hand on the hilt of his blade.
Lady Seolhwa gave a light hum. "I see...well, I know that every year you and the prince always get into spats with each other during the event. I sincerely hope the two of you resolve your differences a bit more amicably this year. I don't want to see either of you getting needlessly injured." The healer looked at him pointedly.
Even if he wasn't the one that constantly challenged Yoo Joonghyuk, Dokja couldn't help but feel sheepish at her statement. What she described as 'spats' were full on murderous rampages between the two. Mustering up an awkward chuckle, he tried reassuring her that wouldn't be the case this year.
"Of course not, Lady Seolhwa. I think both His Highness and I are working on moving past our former rivalry…" he tried quickly changing the subject, "Anyways, if you're on your way to the tournament stands right now why don't I accompany you!" Lady Seolhwa lightly nodded, and they continued to stride side by side.
But after going through a few halls, Lady Seolhwa broke the stillness once more."I've heard you already have a fiancé."
Without glancing at her, he spoke, "Ah...yes, I think you're already familiar with her." Kim Dokja was again reminded of just how far the novel had deviated from its original plot, talking to his 'first love' about his fiancé.
"Lady Jiwon, I see. I extend my utmost congratulations to the two of you…"
"Haha, thank you, it's appreciated," he said as he halted his steps to turn to her. However, he noticed that her face was twisted into a frown for some reason. "Lady Seolhwa...are you ok?" he asked. She looked perplexed, looking down as if she couldn't believe what she had heard. There was a touch of emotion in her eyes that he couldn't explain.
Lady Seolhwa gave him a quick glance before shaking her head and smiling at him reassuringly. "Yes, I'm okay. I just... remembered something," but he was unconvinced, but nodded in response.
"KYAHHHHHH!!"
The two were startled when they suddenly heard a woman scream out. They exchanged glances before rushing to the location of the scream. When they arrived, they were horrified to discover Sooyoung standing over another woman,clutching a piece of a shattered teacup in her left hand, which was spurting blood. She had its sharp edge pointed at the other woman, who was covered in tea and shivering. Whether she was shivering from the cold or from fear, he had no idea.
Kim Dokja's mind could only manage one thought right now:
What the HELL was going on here?!
**A few moments earlier**
"Lady Jiwon, it's lovely to see you here," the words from her painted lips oozed with an artificial sweetness that made Han Sooyoung want to gag. If she recalled correctly, the woman's name was Lilith. "Please have a seat," she said.
Lady Jiwon thanked her and graciously sat down. However, as Lady Sooyoung went to do the same, all the women seated at the table glanced at her, their expressions barely hiding their judgment.
Sooyoung raised an eyebrow at them, "What's wrong?" The women turned their eyes away, pretending as if they hadn't blatantly been staring at her. She scof ed. This was exactly why she opted to hang out with Kim Dokja and Yoo Sangah. If they had a problem with her, they'd have no problem saying it to her face, none of these pathetic mind games.
"Nothing Lady Sooyoung...we're just surprised to see you here, this is the first time that you're joining us." Lilith cheerily remarked. Han Sooyoung could strain her eyes with how hard she wanted to roll them right now. She knew perfectly well that if she weren't here, they'd all talk shit about her. The only reason she was here was to protect Lady Jiwon from their prying questions.
Lilith had motioned the maids present to pour tea for both Lady Jiwon and Lady Sooyoung. In addition to that, they were presented with small plates of pastries.
"Thank you, Lady Lilith, this tea is quite pleasant," Jiwon remarked as she took a sip.
Lilith grinned at her and replied, "I'm glad you like it—it's my favorite," before turning to face Lady Sooyoung,
"What about you, Lady Sooyoung, is the tea not to your liking?"
Sooyoung barely glanced at her cup before looking at Lilith. "I don't care for tea", Sooyoung remarked simply, no way was she ingesting anything from this woman.
"Oh, too bad…" Lady Lilith put on a small disappointed expression before her face morphed back to her sweet smile once more, her lips stretching a bit too wide as she looked back at Lady Jiwon," Anyway, Lady Jiwon, I heard Sir Dokja has agreed to become your fiancé…". Sooyoung narrowed her eyes. This bitch wasn't even going to be subtle about it, huh.
"Umm, yes" Jiwon said, nervous at the way all the ladies at the table seemed to perk up at the mention of his name,their eyes all focused on her like vultures. Lillith gave a side-eye to the other women, not catching how hostile Han Sooyoung was glaring at her.
"Well, what is it like to be with Sir Dokja?" One of the ladies asked her eagerly. Lady Jiwon was caught of guard,not knowing why all of them were so interested in this topic. She didn't want to reveal the fact that her engagement to Sir Dokja was just business. On top of that, they'd barely gotten to know each other as it was. Lady Jiwon realized she wouldn't be able to provide an adequate answer. As she continued to struggle to come up with one, the women around her wore amused smiles.
Lilith interrupted Lady Jiwon as she was ready to begin. "It's okay, Lady Jiwon, if you can't answer. Being engaged is very overwhelming to process, isn't it?" Her tone was insultingly soft, as if she were talking to a young child. Her face shifted into exaggerated concern. "What do you think about the rumors going around right now?"
Lady Jiwon and Lady Sooyoung frowned in confusion, not knowing what she was talking about."What sort of rumors, Lady Lilith?" Lady Jiwon questioned warily.
"Well, you see, they say Sir Dokja is exploiting you because Lady Seolhwa rejected him." She said sadly. Sooyoung wanted to kill someone right now. These bitches acting like they know everything; their heads were full of nothing but lies. She was surprised no one could hear her grinding her teeth together.
The women continued to talk amongst themselves, about how callous Kim Dokja was and how the prince should just kill him of already. Beside her, Lady Jiwon looked down at her lap, appalled at their words. She wore an upset grimace and her teeth clenched. With her fists squeezed into balls, she stood abruptly, her seat screeching behind her as she did.
"Lady Jiwon—," A bewildered Lady Lilith tried to calm her.
Jiwon glared fiercely at the women as she exclaimed, "You all be quiet this instant, Sir Dokja...Sir Dokja is not like that…He's a good person!" She yelled, and the entire room fell silent. Jiwon was embarrassed by her outburst, but resolute in her words.
"Don't yell at Lady Lilith, she's simply telling you what you need to know, Lady Jiwon." One of the women stepped up and defended Lady Lilith, indignant.
"But–"
Another woman got to her feet and interrupted. "That's right, Kim Dokja is a vile man, Lady Jiwon. We all know that he poisoned Lady Seolhwa, right? All because he was too immature to accept her rejection!"
Lilith stepped up before Jiwon could respond, drawing everyone's attention to her."Everyone please stop, we're here to chat with each other, not fight," she aimed a pitying smile to Lady Jiwon, "Lady Jiwon, I'm sorry if I of ended you, but I think Sir Dokja isn't right fo—"
She hadn't finished speaking when they all heard a loud shatter. Looking over, they were all surprised to see Sooyoung's hand was bleeding, a broken teacup within her left hand's grasp.
"Oh, my God!"
"What happened, what did she do?!"
Being spoiled and pampered for all their lives, the mere sight of some blood was enough to send the women into a frenzy. Sooyoung rose up and looked down at them, her eyes blazing with ferocity.
"Lady Sooyoung, I think—," but Lady Lilith was interrupted as hot tea was poured on her face, making her makeup run. In her right-hand Han Sooyoung had held Lady Lilith's formerly full teacup, a triumphant grimace on her face.
While the ladies around the table were aghast, Lady Lilith was livid. Her face turned red with rage when she started screeching, "LADY SOOYOUNG, WHAT ARE ----KYAHHH!!"
But she was cut of when Lady Sooyoung slowly set the sharp edge of the broken cup against her neck. She wore a calm but murderous glower. Lady Lilith hurried to step back but tripped over the hem of her dress.
"LADY SOOYOUNG, ARE YOU INSANE?!" screamed one of the other women, but she was quick to step back as Hand Sooyoung's vicious eyes locked with hers.
"Shut your mouth before I make you shut up myself," She drawled out slowly. She turned her attention to the fallen lady and slowly made her way towards her, her movement similar to the prowl of a leopard. Lady Lilith was rather pathetically trying to crawl away from her, but couldn't rip her stare from Han Sooyoung's
"You know Lady Lilith... to smear the name of a noble comes with rather heavy consequences, much less the heir to the Underworld Duchy. Are you really willing to face them to spread senseless rumors?" She asked slowly, hunching down as she carelessly waved around the sharp cup fragment.
Lady Lilith stuttered out, panicked, "What are you saying, I just said that Lady Jiwon deserves someone better than Sir Dokja!"
This made Sooyoung's blood boil even more. She sneered out, "Deserve someone better? Perhaps someone as benevolent as you, who blackmails your lovers to not leave you?"
The woman's face paled as her fellow accomplices gasped around her. Sooyoung smirked at the ladies,"Oh! You don't know? I though you would've told all your little playmates by now, Lady Lilith," Han Sooyoung talked on before the woman could try to defend herself, "She's done it to all the men she's ever dated, after all anyone with eyes can see what a two-faced degenerate she is. She was just jealous of Lady Seolhwa because she had two powerful men courting her before...such a desperate attempt to overshadow a woman you'll never be able to even compare to."
"DON'T BELIEVE HER, I WOULD NEVER DO THAT!" Lady Lilith shrieked as she desperately turned to her allies, searching their eyes for any semblance of trust that they may still hold for her.
"Really? All of them are gathered today for the tournament, right? Why don't we just go and ask them ourselves..."
----
"Han Sooyoung!" Kim Dokja shouted as he rushed toward his friend. Coaxing her hand open and snatching the shard away, he demanded, "What are you doing?!" He then turned to gaze at Lady Lilith, who was shivering on the ground.
"Hmph, why don't you ask this bitch right here." She replied, still glaring daggers at Lady Lilith.
"WHAT? SIR DOKJA, CAN YOU SEE THAT SHE WAS POINTING THAT SHARD AT ME, SHE'S THREATENING ME!" Lady Lilith screamed, looking at Dokja with pleading eyes.
"My oh my, are you really asking for help from the man you claimed tried to kill Lady Seolhwa, I didn't think you'd give him a second chance so quickly." Han Sooyoung shot a mocking leer at the lady.
He turned to Lady Lilith and demanded an explanation, asking, "Lady Lilith, is that true?"
Lady Lilith gasped, her eyes widening, "Of course not, why would I do that?" as she turned her head to the other ladies, "Right?" She said, they all vigorously nodded along.
"See, I didn't---"
"Let's ask Lady Jiwon, shall we?" Han Sooyoung interrupted and looked at said woman. Sooyoung put her uninjured hand on Kim Dokja's shoulder, "She's your fiancé, you should be able to trust her word about what happened here."
"Lady Jiwon?" Kim Dokja asked, turning to face her expectantly.
Lady Jiwon looked back and forth between Lady Lilith, whose shaking orbs pleaded with her for support, and Lady Sooyoung, who simply wore a serious expression. Biting her lips, Jiwon then looked down for a moment before turning to face Dokja.
"That's right...Lady Sooyoung was telling the truth."
Lady Lilith surged forward to grab at Kim Dokja's leg with trembling hands, her voice shaking as she murmured,
"Sir Dokja, this is a big misunderstanding, I—"
"No, I don't want to hear it, Lady Lilith," he stated firmly, pressing his handkerchief against Han Sooyoung's bleeding hand. "If you have a problem with me, I'd rather you say it straight to my face than resort to pretty gossip," he ended before leading Han Sooyoung away, Lady Seolhwa and Jiwon following suit with a last dubious glance at the table.
The group walked to another villa outside the castle, where Lady Jiwon ushered Han Sooyoung to sit as Lee Seolhwa knelt by her side to take a closer look at her wound, As the healer pulled out supplies from the pockets of her dress to start treat her, Kim Dokja couldn't help but chastise his friend.
"Seriously? Han Sooyoung, just for that?" As much as he appreciated how willing she was to defend him, he really wished she didn't have to hurt herself in the process.
The woman just gave him a confident smile, flashing her canines, "They were pissing me off, and besides, are you not going to say thank you?" she pouted at him.
He sighed, "Well, thank you, but please don't hurt yourself," as he looked at her hands, which were still gushing blood.
"Don't worry about me, I can handle myself just fine," she proudly proclaimed, puffing out her chest. Though she accidentally shifted her left hand in the process, making Lee Seolhwa give a stern look. Sooyoung looked sheepish as she apologized. Dokja huffed out a small chuckle.
He was about to offer to help take care of the cut when the bell rang out, indicating that the hunting competition was about to begin. He looked at Sooyoung worriedly, not wanting to leave her side when her wound was just barely being taken care of.
Lady Seolhwa was quick to reassure him "You need to go already, Sir Dokja. The competition is about to begin,please leave Han Sooyoung in our care."
"But–"
Lady Jiwon interrupted him, "Don't worry, Sir Dokja, I'll accompany Lady Sooyoung." After exchanging a hard stare with Han Sooyoung, he sighed.
"Okay, but be careful not to do anything foolish,"
"Are you of all people really—!"
"I'll entrust Lady Sooyoung to you both, Lady Seolhwa and Lady Jiwon."
"We'll take care of her." Lady Seolhwa affirmed, and smiled at him, "Good luck"
"Thank you" He nodded to them and dashed away, not wanting to be late to the event.