Chapter 2

When they arrived at the gate,a woman in luxurious crimson robes awaited them as if knowing they would get there soon,the woman ordered her to strip off her clothes and forget the noble life she once lived. Seo Hwa refused. Enraged, the woman commanded her guards to undress her by force. Her brother and their maid, Dam, were pinned down by the guards, shouting and struggling as they begged them not to touch Seo Hwa.

But the guards turned a deaf ear.

The woman then ordered Seo Hwa to be tied to a particular tree—one known for punishing rebellious girls brought into the brothel.

“Don’t give her food or water until I say so!” she barked.

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Seo hwa’s pov

The night fell quickly, and the once-bustling courtyard fell into silence, broken only by the soft moans of the women within and the occasional laugh of drunken men. But out there, under the tree, I was left alone.

My wrists ached. My feet had long gone numb. The cold seeped deep into my bones, but worse was the silence from my brother and Dam. I couldn’t see them, but I knew they were being watched, threatened into stillness.

I stared up at the dark sky. The stars offered no warmth, only silent witness to my humiliation.

Memories rushed in—my father’s gentle voice, my mother’s soft hands brushing my hair. Our home used to echo with laughter, dignity, and grace. How had it all turned to this?

Tears stung my eyes but I didn’t let them fall. If I cried, she would win. That woman. That brothel master. That demon in silk.

Footsteps approached.

“Still proud?” Her voice slithered in the dark. She crouched beside me, her perfume sharp, suffocating. “You noble girls always think you’re different. But you’ll beg soon. They all do.”

I didn’t answer.

She laughed and stood. “No food. No water. Until your pride is dust.”

She left, and the silence returned.

Hours passed. My body trembled from cold, but I stayed awake, repeating my brother’s name in my mind like a chant. I had to protect him. If I gave in… they’d break him too.

By the second day, my lips were cracked. My stomach ached with hunger. The sun burned my skin by day, the wind cut it by night. Still, I refused to beg.

Once, I heard Dam whisper from the window nearby, “Stay strong, my lady. Please.”

That voice gave me enough to last another night.

But on the third morning, something changed. Guards came—not to untie me—but to parade the other girls outside, showing them what defiance looked like. Some stared with pity. Others looked away, hardened by their own trauma.

But one girl, no older than me, met my eyes. Her gaze held a flicker of something—anger? Admiration?

And then… my brother screamed.

I struggled against the ropes. “No! Leave him alone!” I shouted.

But I couldn’t see him. Only hear the panic in his voice.

That was when I broke.

“STOP!” I screamed. “Untie me! Please!”

The brothel master appeared from the shadows. Her lips curled in a cruel smile. “Finally.”

She waved her hand.

The guards approached and cut the ropes.

I collapsed into the dirt, too weak to stand. My pride was torn to pieces, like the hem of my once-elegant robe.

But I would endure.

For my brother.

For Dam.

For vengeance.