Cha Sung Woo

The night in the old quarter was too quiet. Lanterns barely illuminated the narrow streets, and music and laughter echoed behind the closed doors of the kisaeng houses. You shouldn't have been here. The daughter of the Left State Councilor, one of the most influential men at court, never frequented such places. But today, you were driven not by caution, but by hatred and a desire to know the truth. You were searching for a man about whom you had recently learned too much.

Trying to pass unnoticed, you threw a light cape over your head and entered one of the kisaeng's houses. But the corridors turned out to be confusing. You took a wrong turn, then another, and soon you no longer knew where you were.

Meanwhile, a dinner was taking place in one of the rooms. Young men from noble families were seated there. Among them was he—the son of an old friend of your father's. He had been brought there more for business than pleasure. His character was well-known: brash, cold, and overly observant. He rarely said anything unnecessary, but if he smiled, it meant someone had already lost.

You were no better. Proud, arrogant, and cunning, you were accustomed to looking down on people. Many considered you the perfect official's daughter, but few knew that inside, you were quite the flame.

When you finally found the door to exit, someone suddenly grabbed your arm. You jerked violently, trying to free yourself, and, losing your balance, threw open the nearest door.

The next moment you were already falling.

You landed right in someone's lap.

Strong hands instantly grabbed your wrists, holding you there. You turned your head, frowning, and saw him. He was sitting quietly, his face partially covered by a cloth, but his eyes gleamed with mockery.

His lips slowly curved into a smile.

"Oh... who do I see?" he said quietly. "The Grand Councilor's daughter... in the kisaeng's house. What an unexpected meeting."