"Greetings, my lord."
After kowtowing three times, Sen knelt on the floor of the grand study. Although named as such, there were few books on the shelves, each dusty and clearly untouched alongside somewhat tasteless porcelain statues. A decadent scent rose from the brass incense pot near the door, making it difficult to breathe. In the middle of the room stood a large table of ebony with strange, foreign patterns carved into its legs and edges. At it sat Kum-ji in a heavily gilded chair, his presence even more suffocating than the heavy incense. He munched thoughtfully on a sickeningly sweet yet ridiculously expensive pastry from the West as he eyed the woman before him. Although she had been locked up alone in a dark cell for over twenty-four hours, she looked graceful and calm, not a hair on her head out of place and not a speck of dirt on her dress.
"The rats aren't doing their job well," he muttered. He raised his voice and added, "Speak. What do you have to say for yourself?"
"Your servant brings great news, my lord."
Despite her way of addressing herself, her back was straight and bearing regal, as if Kum-ji were the one kneeling.
"You haven't cured your pride, that's for sure," Kum-ji snorted. "Few things could be greater news than that."
"Even if your servant brings word from the Prince of another surname?" she asked, glancing up at him with the slightest hint of expectation in her eyes. Indeed, his reaction did not disappoint.
"What?!"
Kum-ji leapt from his chair, forgetting himself. His expression reflected both shock and endless joy as he cried, "If you did, Mayu... dear child, if you did…!"
Noticing the mocking tilt of Sen's lips, he swallowed his excitement and said indifferently, "I knew it. Your skin looks less yeller."
"It is only thanks to your lordship's care," Sen said, lowering her gaze once more. "Building on a solid foundation laid down by another was all His Highness did."
"Don't tell me what I already know!" he snapped. Sen swallowed any further words and sat obediently in silence. Kum-ji measured her up coldly.
"Evidence?"
"This is but one from many your servant has received from him, my Lord," she replied, passing him a letter. His eyes grew wide in surprise and glimmered with greed when he saw the seal on it.
"You've become his woman?" he asked, and by his tone, Sen could tell that he hoped she had. She turned her head bashfully to the side.
"It could be said, my Lord," she said. "But even by his side, your servant couldn't forget the good your Lordship has done for this servant. After begging and begging him, he promised to help you, my Lord."
"Good, good. I was worried since I can't take you back. I'm marrying a Kai woman in three weeks."
"Congratulations, my Lord! Who's the lucky lady, my Lord?"
"Oh, some Baroness," Kum-ji replied, waving his hand dismissively. "Nothing, really. Your news is much more to me. I knew you were the one since I first saw you in the Gutter! Somethin' about your pretty face... even though you begged like the rest of them, you held your back straight, and your eyes..."
"Your servant is unworthy of such praise, my Lord."
Kum-ji hit the table, hard.
"I'll decide whether you're worthy or not! You're really questioning me?"
"Your servant dares not, my Lord."
"Good," he said, leaning back, "good. You've done me a great service, Yang Mayu. You're worthy of the name I gave you. How about we celebrate?"
"Yes, my Lord. Your servant—"
"Address yerself properly. You're my equal from today onwards."
"Yes, my Lord."
"And don't put "my Lord" at the end of every sentence. It's super annoying. We're equals, are we not, Mayu?"
"Yes..." Sen gulped back the automatic "my Lord". "I am grateful for your kindness."
"Of course you are," Kum-ji scoffed. "I've never treated anyone this well before. Now remember where the Xing wine is kept?"
"How could I forget?"
"Bring us a jug of it," he said, watching Sen's expression closely while speaking. As expected, Sen's eyes sparkled with delight and she bowed.
"Thank you—oh, thank you so much! Such an honour...!"
"Yes, yes. Honour indeed. Now hurry and get it before I lose my patience!"
Sen nodded and rushed out the door, stumbling twice on her own feet. Kum-ji smiled as he looked after her.
"Silly, air-headed girl," he chuckled.
Sen rushed down the twisting halls and winding staircases, into the kitchens she knew so well. As she was rummaging through the shelves, trying to find the wine, a guard stopped in the doorway and watched her.
"Sen, I thought you were dead!" he exclaimed. Sen shook her head, not sparing him a glance.
"Not anymore. His gracious and merciful Lordship needs me, so how dare I leave this world without his permission? He has welcomed me back with open arms, declared us equals and has even ordered me to drink Xing wine to his health."
"Gracious and merciful Lordship," the guard repeated, as though he had never heard such words before. "Have you been dropped on your head?"
"Do you wish to die?" she asked, hoping to scare him away. But he had no such reaction—there was no scampering of feet, no hurried apologies, nothing. In fact, he took a step closer to her.
"Have you really not come to assassinate his Highness?" he asked in a much lower tone. "Because if you won't, I will."
A loud clatter could be heard throughout the kitchen area. Sen stared up at the guard from beneath all the kettles, pans and herbs that had fallen with her. He had a plain, honest face.
She had to gamble, something she had always hated. She might be betrayed, but then again, two is better than one when trying to take down a crazy overlord, as the old saying goes. An ally is always useful.
Sen took a deep breath.
"Yes," she answered, "I want to kill him."
...
"You sure took your time. Did you poison it?" Kum-ji laughed heartily at his own joke.
"I wouldn't dare," Sen answered respectfully. "Your life means too much to me. I was late because the wine was on a high shelf, and while reaching for it, I slipped and fell."
She rubbed her hands together pitifully, letting the blue marks show. Even though she said that, suspicion had taken its nest in Kum-ji's heart. He remembered how many overlords had died unnaturally before him and narrowed his eyes. Even if she would never dare, it wouldn't hurt to be sure...
"Drink to my health," he ordered. Without hesitation, Sen poured herself half a cup and drank it. She wiped her lips with her index finger and smiled.
"Indeed, Xing wine is good, worthy of its fame," she agreed. "I am not used to strong drinks, so forgive me if I feel a little ill."
Lord Yang rubbed his hands until his knuckles crackled. Of course she was innocent. She practically even thanked him for allowing her to be his food taster!
"Good, good, very good. Pour me the rest." Sit down here-gestures to lap
Sen obediently did as told. His Highness took a long sip and sighed with contentment. Leaning back in his chair, he lay his eyes upon Sen and hummed thoughtfully.
"You must be happy," he mused. Sen looked at him in surprise.
"What makes you think so?"
"It seems your lover treats you well," he told her, gesturing at her clothes. "And has the money to pamper you. I should have sold you to him sooner."
"Surely you jest," Sen replied, staring at the floor. Kum-ji shook his head.
"Why do you think I let you stay back then?" he asked. "I have a hundred women prettier than you. You just looked like the woman he was looking for so I couldn't throw you away…"
"What are you talking about?"
"And I couldn't just send you back the way you were. He would've thought I hurt you—and I'd ever do that, would I now?"
"You're mistaken if you think my looks enchanted the little Prince," Sen said quietly. Kum-ji shushed her and reached for his winecup once more.
"You think he needs your little schemes and strategies? Strategists are like grasshoppers," he said, taking another sip of wine. "You stomp anywhere and kill three. And Kai translators grow like grass, but someone that man likes... there's only one in this world." A look of ridicule flitted past Sen's expression, but Kum-ji didn't seem to notice as he went on, "He must like you. He spends a lot on you, I see. So you must be a happy woman, Yang Mayu. Only a fool wouldn't be."
"Happiness doesn't lie with wealth, Lord Yang."
"Then where does it? With love?" Kum-ji scoffed. "Though in your case, it might. The amount of your pocket money depends on how much he loves you." He laughed before his eyes turned serious. To gather his courage, he finished the wine and began cautiously, "Speaking of which... you won't mind putting in a good word for your old friend here, right?"
Sen smiled to herself. However, when she lifted her head, the smile was gone and replaced with a troubled expression.
"Good word? Dear Lord, if only I could," she sighed. "But speaking up for my was-lover to a new one is really..."
"It would help me expand my market. I'd share the profit, of course," he went on. "I'll give you four per cent." Seeing the hesitation on Sen's face, he quickly corrected himself. "Eight per cent, hey? What d'you say?"
Sen seemed to be contemplating the suggestion, but finally shook her head.
"I can't," she said softly. "I'm really sorry, but this..."
"Please," cried the Lord of Awa, soon-to-be Baron in a pitiful tone. "I'll give you ten per cent! Twelve!"
Sen was not swayed. Yang Kum-ji's face twisted into a horrible grimace. Leaning forward, he looked her in the eyes and said in a low voice, "Yang Mayu, remember what I did for you? Those seven miracle doctors won't treat ya to catch a glimpse of yer two pretty eyes or your sweet smile. If I didn't invite them..."
He sighed dramatically, then glanced expectantly at Sen. She still appeared unperturbed and spoke calmly, "You may be my saviour, but the money of the General is not mine to give. I will try to persuade him, but all I can offer you for sure is some advice."
"Rotten advice it must be if you give it for free," Kum-ji muttered. He added aloud, "Let's hear it."
"Before I tell you, let me ask this," Sen replied. "Have you ever regretted joining this trade?"
Kum-ji looked at her in astonishment as she continued, "Have you ever felt any remorse for the lives you ruined? Has your conscience ever bothered you? Have your—"
She was interrupted by Kum-ji's roaring laughter. His enormous stomach jiggled and shook, his cheeks turned red and his eyes twinkled with merriment.
"I never thought you were so naive, Mayu," he snickered, wiping his eyes. "Between you and me, I tell you this—we're all crooks in the end. If even a saint had the chance to become as great as me, they'd throw away all their darned morals."
"I do not think so," Sen said quietly. "I believe there is good in everyone, however little it may be. Money is not everything, not even in my eyes. You saved my life, Yang Kum-ji, without any immediate benefits—"
"No immediate benefits?" the Lord echoed, highly amused. "You forgot what you did in the carriage out of gratitude?"
Sen clenched her teeth. Her lips trembled with both helpless anger and humiliation at the memory. Her furious expression made Kum-ji chuckle.
"You think yourself an angel perfect, eh, Mayu?" His patronising tone made Sen's stomach churn. "You look down on my money, but why'd you lay first with one rich man, then another who's richer? Although you did come back."
At that moment, the door swung open and in came the guard. He bowed respectfully.
"Your Lordship, the ships are ready to depart. All we need is for your Lordship's presence and approval."
"Good," said Yang Kum-ji,standing up with a groan. As he walked past her, Sen lifted her head and looked him in the eye.
"I had no choice," she told him with a frightening scowl. "It was either you or certain death."
"So there was a choice. You chose me and my money," Kum-ji said with a grin, rubbing the top of her head. "Not very ethical, if you ask me. Now, now, don't make that face, pet, I ain't judging you. I'd do the same if I was you, I'd do the same."
With that, he stepped out the door. The guard looked at Sen with hungry eyes.
"I've never heard this before," he told her. "I'm missing out on gossip? That can't be. I won't allow it."
"You haven't heard of it before and you won't now," Sen replied. "Fetch me an empty bowl, will you?"
"No. I want to hear the story."
"If I die, you'll never find out," Sen said, sitting down comfortably in Kum-ji's chair. The guard's eyes widened in surprise.
"You drank some?"
"Some sacrifices must be made for the greater good."
"You're crazy—you're insane! Drinking your own poison without having the antidote?"
"One cannot always plan ahead," she replied, picking at her nails. "Bring the bowl."
"Not until you tell me what happened in the carriage."
"My sweet little friend was eavesdropping?" Sen asked, her eyes holding a slight chill. The guard smiled, completely ignoring her glare.
"Yes, it's wrong. But why did you have to choose between him and certain death in the first place?"
The room fell silent, except for the rhythmic tapping of Sen's fingers on the armrest of Kum-ji's chair. Suddenly, her lips curved up into a brilliant smile.
"My request for you to take your leave was for your sake, not mine," she sighed, shaking her head. "I will do what must be done. Keep in mind that you will be the one to clean the mess up and it is far easier to empty a bowl than wash this charming carpet. It's from Western Kai, isn't it? I heard it cost over a thousand gold pieces."
The guard pursed his lips and reluctantly brought her an empty bowl. Sen accepted it with the grace of a queen.
"You should leave," she told him. He obeyed with a look of irritation and once he was gone, Sen stuck her fingers down her throat.
By the time the stick of incense had finished burning, she leaned back in the chair, her body shaking despite her attempts to steady herself.
"Even your so-called kindness hurt me so, my Lord," she murmured, staring at the ceiling. "What would I do if I were to bear your ill will?"
...
A few streets away, beside the sea, the women were discussing Sen's matter.
One claimed that she had stolen some money from the Lord. Another one believed she had gotten involved in a fight with one of the officers, and a freckled girl who had the most imagination argued that she was Captain Gi-gan's daughter and had killed one of Kum-ji's relatives.
"Probably murdered his lover," she added in a reverent whisper.
"Who cares!" a blonde girl yelled, who had been banging on the door the other day. "All I know is we're being sold as slaves! Let me out!"
"Just stop it," a dark-haired woman told her irritably. "I've been here for two weeks. We might as well be objects on a shelf. No one will come."
Yona looked at her thoughtfully and asked, "What makes you save that? How do you know that no one will help?"
"Who is there to help?" The woman let out a dry, bitter laugh. "Awa has always been like this, and I should know. I've lived here all my life."
"And you've never tried to change this town?"
"What?" the girl asked, surprised. Yona stared at her intently.
"Have you ever even thought of overthrowing Yang Kum-ji and bringing peace?"
"You say you're from here and you still speak like that?" she snickered. "The only people who say things like that are the outsiders and the strong. Both of whom are downright idiots."
"But there are people who are neither strong nor outsiders who fight for this town, risking their own lives," the princess argued. "If someone—one of those people you call idiots—came to save you, would you reject their helping hand simply because you think them insane?"
"Ah," the girl said with a smile as she came to a realization, "I see. Do you mean—"
The door creaked and in came the officers to bring the slave-to-be women to the ship, cutting their conversation short. The two lost sight of each other as they were herded towards their new cell.