A Night of Ruin at the Party
It was just as Hwang Min-ho, Na Tae-man, and Min Baek-su were exchanging boisterous laughter and sly jokes, maintaining a warm and convivial atmosphere. The firmly closed door of the drawing room opened quietly, and Duke Hwang Min-ho's butler stepped inside. Despite his polite demeanor, a subtle tension lingered on his face.
"Your Grace," the butler said, bowing deeply to Hwang Min-ho. "Duke Baek Kang-ho has arrived."
At the butler's words, the laughter in the drawing room instantly died down. The smile lingering on Hwang Min-ho's lips faded, while Na Tae-man and Min Baek-su exchanged wary glances. Lady Baek Rose also paused, her wine glass frozen mid-air as she stared toward the door. Their eyes gleamed with intense curiosity about the newly arrived Baek Kang-ho and the "lover" rumored to be accompanying him. Just who was the woman who had captured the heart of a man known to be so utterly ruthless?
The moment the butler stepped back out, a suffocating silence descended upon the room. Every gaze locked onto the open doorway. A moment later, Baek Kang-ho entered, radiating his signature cold, imposing aura. But it was the woman appearing at his side that caused every eye in the room to instantly freeze in sheer astonishment.
A lavish silk dress draped elegantly along the contours of her delicate figure, and exquisite jewel ornaments cast a soft, ethereal glow. Even beneath her heavy makeup, a pure yet seductive beauty shone through, utterly captivating everyone in attendance. She was none other than Cheon Su-ryeon—though now, she was to be called by the unfamiliar alias of "Chae-hwa."
Hwang Min-ho caught his breath at Cheon Su-ryeon's unexpectedly pristine and innocent beauty. In that split second, he had no choice but to admit it: she possessed a deep, enchanting allure entirely distinct from the flamboyant, sophisticated glamour of Lady Baek Rose. The smug satisfaction playing on Baek Kang-ho's lips grated on Hwang Min-ho's nerves. That bastard, how dare he show off in front of me... Hwang Min-ho's gaze instantly turned ice-cold.
"My word... Baek Kang-ho, is she really your lover?" Duke Na Tae-man gasped in genuine admiration, his mouth hanging slightly open in disbelief. His wife, too, was unable to tear her eyes away from Cheon Su-ryeon, letting out a soft exclamation of wonder. Duke Min Baek-su looked completely entranced; his jaw slackened as he stared blankly at Su-ryeon, muttering, "My, my... incredible..." over and over.
Even Lady Baek Rose, lauded far and wide as the "Goddess of the Continent," could not conceal her shock at Cheon Su-ryeon's entrance. Her plump, crimson lips tightened, and her usual effortless smile vanished without a trace. A flash of raw jealousy flickered across her cold blue eyes. She's actually that beautiful?! Though a raging fire of envy flared within her chest, she hid her emotions behind the mask of a perfect noblewoman, forcing herself to maintain an elegant smile.
The other noblewomen were similarly stunned by Su-ryeon's overwhelming beauty. While they wore polite smiles on the surface, their eyes covertly scrutinized every inch of her appearance. Though no one dared utter it aloud, a tacit consensus rippled through the drawing room—an unspoken acknowledgment that Su-ryeon's pure, radiant beauty surpassed even that of Lady Baek Rose. The sudden arrival of this breathtakingly beautiful woman brought by Duke Baek Kang-ho instantly shifted the party's atmosphere, filling the room with a thrilling tension and subtle currents of jealousy.
"It seems we are a bit late," Baek Kang-ho spoke, his voice carrying its characteristic chill. Hwang Min-ho forced a welcoming smile and replied, "Not at all. We were just getting the conversation flowing, so don't pay it any mind." Yet, his eyes remained fixed on Cheon Su-ryeon.
As if relishing Hwang Min-ho's lingering gaze, Baek Kang-ho smoothly pulled out a chair for Cheon Su-ryeon. On the surface, it appeared to be a highly attentive gesture. "Here, Chae-hwa. Have a seat."
Cheon Su-ryeon bowed awkwardly at his gesture and sat down. However, her heart was hammering wildly against her ribs, consumed by a mounting dread. I mustn't be exposed... If they find out... Every nerve in her body was on edge as she remained painfully conscious of the eyes on her. The barrage of curious stares felt like sharp blades pressing against her skin, nearly impossible to bear. Every time she caught Lady Baek Rose's frigid gaze, the hairs on her arms stood on end. She tried her best to conceal her panic, but the sheer anxiety and apprehension left her entire body stiff.
"Come now, Baek Kang-ho, don't keep us waiting. Introduce the lovely lady beside you," Min Baek-su urged with his trademark sly grin, his eyes brimming with curiosity.
Baek Kang-ho wore a relaxed smile, seemingly basking in the room's reaction. "Haha, it seems everyone is eager to know. Shall I call her my long-awaited dream? This is my beautiful lover, 'Chae-hwa.'" His voice carried a smug satisfaction, laced with subtle boastfulness. Then, with the practiced ease of a master actor, Baek Kang-ho began to smoothly spin his fabricated tale.
"Not long ago, I had some brief business in an obscure provincial baron's territory... and there, as if by fate, I met her. At first sight, I was utterly captivated by her pure, enchanting beauty. I simply could not bear to leave her side." His oily smile made the lie sound perfectly plausible, but to Cheon Su-ryeon, who knew the horrific truth, it was nothing short of nauseating.
Having finished his introduction, Baek Kang-ho looked down at Cheon Su-ryeon and whispered with feigned tenderness, "Chae-hwa, these are Duke Hwang Min-ho and his wife, Duke Na Tae-man, and Duke Min Baek-su and his wife. Come, greet them."
Cheon Su-ryeon flinched under Baek Kang-ho's gaze. But recalling Alex's chilling warning, she forced herself to steady her trembling voice and bowed her head. "I am... Chae-hwa... It is an honor to meet you." Her voice betrayed her immense tension, and her hands shook visibly.
Su-ryeon's trembling voice and anxious demeanor did not escape the sharp eyes of Lady Baek Rose. Her blue eyes narrowed, glinting with a strange curiosity. "Lady Chae-hwa, you seem terribly nervous," Lady Baek Rose remarked. Her voice was soft, yet a sharp edge lay hidden beneath her words.
Startled by the sudden question, Cheon Su-ryeon's eyes widened. She barely managed to move her trembling lips, stammering out a reply. "Yes... M-My Lady... It is just that... this is the first time... I have ever met such noble individuals... and I am... q-quite shy... That is all." Her voice shook unsteadily, and her eyes darted toward Baek Kang-ho, seeking his reaction.
Sensing her anxious gaze, Baek Kang-ho wore a warm smile and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Chae-hwa was raised in a very modest household, so this is her first time attending such a lavish gathering, Lady Baek Rose."
The instant Baek Kang-ho's hand touched her shoulder, a horrifying vision flashed through her mind like lightning. The memory of the punishment room—its walls lined with terrifying rods and whips, and her own body bound helplessly to the punishment rack in the center—resurfaced with vivid clarity. The skin-shredding pain, the crushing humiliation, and Baek Kang-ho's cold, mocking smile that dominated those agonizing moments coalesced, sending a violent shiver down her spine. Though his touch appeared comforting and affectionate to the onlookers, to Su-ryeon, it was a terrifying reminder of her subjugation and the constant threat of torture. She held her breath. She tried desperately to hide her trembling eyes, but her sheer terror was impossible to fully suppress. Lady Baek Rose's sharp gaze felt increasingly hostile.
"Oh, my goodness, look at me. Our guests have arrived, and yet their glasses are empty." Lady Baek Rose laughed brightly and gestured. "Butler, please fill our guests' glasses with our finest wine immediately."
A moment later, a young maid stepped forward with cautious strides, carrying a silver tray laden with wine bottles and glasses. With practiced skill, she began pouring the crimson wine into Duke Baek Kang-ho's glass first. But as she stepped closer to pour for Cheon Su-ryeon, their eyes met. In that instant, both of their gazes shook violently. Shock and utter disbelief washed over the maid's face, while Su-ryeon's expression flared with a mixture of panic and sudden, overwhelming relief.
S-Seon-yeong...? The maid was indeed Seon-yeong. She was the very maid who had once served Cheon Su-ryeon like a shadow back when Su-ryeon was the beloved lady of Duke Cheon Tae-hyeon's household. After Duke Cheon Tae-hyeon was executed as a traitor and Cheon Su-ryeon was sold into the horrific life of a sex slave, Seon-yeong had also been sold as a common slave to Duke Hwang Min-ho's estate, enduring grueling days of labor. Though they had been mistress and maid, Su-ryeon had always treated Seon-yeong with warmth and kindness, and Seon-yeong had respected and adored her in return. And now, that very mistress stood before her, lavishly adorned as Duke Baek Kang-ho's lover under the unfamiliar name of "Chae-hwa."
Lady Su-ryeon?! H-How can this be? Overwhelmed by the unbelievable sight, Seon-yeong lost her composure. Her hand shook as she poured, and the dark red wine spilled over the rim of the glass, splashing onto Su-ryeon's pristine white dress and leaving a stark crimson stain.
"Ah...! I am so sorry! Lady Su... no, Lady Chae-hwa! I... I lost my focus..." Seon-yeong's face turned pale as a sheet, and she apologized repeatedly in a trembling voice. Her eyes were filled with panic and sheer terror. She was terrified that her recognition of Cheon Su-ryeon would be discovered, and that her blunder would bring harm to her former mistress.
However, Lady Baek Rose's sharp perception did not miss their subtle exchange. She keenly caught Seon-yeong's deathly pale face and the mixture of bewilderment and anxiety on Chae-hwa's features. What is this? They look as if they know each other. Her suspicion was brief, but Lady Baek Rose's beautiful blue eyes began to gleam with a cold, cruel light. She could not tolerate a mere maid causing a scene and ruining her party.
"You worthless wench!" Lady Baek Rose's sharp, icy voice instantly froze the warm atmosphere of the drawing room. Her tone dripped with venomous rage. "How dare you commit such a clumsy blunder and ruin this prestigious gathering!"
Terrified by Lady Baek Rose's thunderous reprimand, Seon-yeong threw herself flat onto the floor, her face completely drained of color. "Forgive me, My Lady! I am so sorry! I... I have committed a grave sin!" Her voice shook violently with absolute terror.
Though panicked, Su-ryeon spoke up quickly, desperate to protect Seon-yeong from further wrath. "My Lady, I am truly fine. It was merely a minor accident, so please do not be so angry." Su-ryeon tried her utmost to maintain a calm, composed tone.
But Lady Baek Rose's anger was not so easily appeased. "No, Lady Chae-hwa. She has caused discomfort to our esteemed guests, and such insolence cannot be overlooked. The maid's fault is clear, and she must be punished accordingly." Her frigid gaze swept down to Seon-yeong, who lay trembling on the floor.
"Butler!" At Lady Baek Rose's call, the butler, who had been standing nearby like a shadow, immediately stepped forward. "Yes, My Lady." "Drag this wench to the punishment room at once!" Lady Baek Rose commanded, her voice as cold as ice.
A suffocating tension hung heavy in the drawing room. Baek Kang-ho watched the unfolding drama with an amused glint in his eyes, while Hwang Min-ho wore a sinister, mocking smirk. Thinking of the horrific torture that awaited Seon-yeong in the punishment room, Cheon Su-ryeon was seized by a profound, agonizing dread. It felt as though her very heart was turning to ice.