I woke up slowly and found myself in a strange, darkly lit room. As my mind cleared, I was immediately filled with an overwhelming sense of panic. I could only guess that this was the inside of the Red Tiger's headquarters. The plan had been for Joo-Doh's men to follow me to their base, and then ambush the carriage as soon as it stopped. What had happened? The fact that I was here meant that something must have gone very wrong.
My hands and feet were still tied, and I could just make out the silhouettes of two burly men standing by the door, making all thoughts of escape impossible. I could hear low voices outside, and strained my ears to listen.
"She's a real beauty, Lord Hiyou. And the emperor's concubine, too."
My heart started to beat louder at the familiar name of the Red Tiger's leader.
"Yes, I am aware," a frigid voice answered. "And the preparations?"
They were discussing something for several minutes, but I couldn't quite make it out. Finally, I heard footsteps retreating down the hall, and a moment later the door flung open. A man who was undoubtedly Hiyou entered slowly, his long robe sweeping the floor.
He ordered my two bodyguards to untie me and turn on the lamps. They obeyed then silently left the room, leaving me alone with the most dangerous man in the country.
"Well then," he started towards me, "let's have a look at the merchandise, shall we?"
I scooted back on the bed, and started to scream when he slapped me hard across the face.
"You can scream all you want, but no one will come," he said harshly.
"You're wrong!" I cried.
"Are you talking about your companions?" he sneered. "They're long dead. Did you really think I was stupid enough to fall into such an obvious trap?"
"You're lying," I said aloud, but in my heart, I knew that he was telling the truth. Our plan had failed, and I was probably going to die because of it. Still, I clung to the hope that somehow, someway, Soo-Won would find me. Until then, I had to buy myself time.
"Even if that's true, Soo-Won will definitely come and save me," I glared at him with more bravado than I felt.
At this, he began to laugh so hard that he was forced to bend over and grab his sides. "What a nice expression," he straightened and wiped tears from his eyes as he spoke. "Old Fuwasa was a fool for trying to kill a fine girl like yourself." The way he looked at me made feel sick, almost as if he could see through my clothing.
He must have seen me tense, because he said, "Are you scared? Don't worry, I gave him what he deserved," he drew his finger across his neck and made a slicing sound, "and I won't kill you. I believe that there are other ways that you can be more…useful to me."
I remained stubbornly silent as I glanced towards the door, all the while praying desperately for help to come.
He followed my gaze and started laughing again. "You really don't understand, do you? You poor thing, I almost feel sorry for you."
I stuck up my chin and gave him my most withering glare. "You're insane."
He looked straight at me then, all traces of mirth gone from his face. It struck me that he was quite handsome, with smooth skin and hair and eyes that closely resembled Soo-Won's. However, while Soo-Won's eyes were warm and filled with varying emotions, Hiyou possessed the coldest eyes I'd ever seen. I felt myself shiver involuntarily.
"You're being used," he said flatly. "By Emperor Soo-Won and everyone at the palace."
"That's not true," I said defensively. "He loves me."
"Loves you?" he sounded incredulous. "He's certainly played you well."
"Didn't you ever wonder why the emperor chose you of all people?" he continued ruthlessly. "He chose you because you were expendable. If a noble girl dies, a war could start, but no one cares if a single servant girl disappears."
I wanted to shut him out, but a seed of doubt began to form in my mind. I thought back to my first meeting with Soo-Won. Truthfully, I had always thought that it was strange that he had picked me. What if Hiyou was right?
"Those fools at the palace decided that the best way to catch me was to use a woman as bait, and you were the perfect candidate. He flaunted you during those state meetings to get my attention, and then sent you out here to die. Don't you get it? You were nothing more than a tool to help find me. He never loved you, or even cared about you."
General Joo-Doh's words rung in my ears. "Have you forgotten why she came here in the first place?"
Suddenly it all made sense. Soo-Won's mysterious warnings about the danger I would face, his strange behavior as of late, even the reason he had chosen me. He had been using me all along. Everything had been a lie, and I had been a perfect fool to fall for it. My eyes stung with tears as the reality of it all hit me.
Hiyou pushed me down on the bed, but I was too tired to care anymore. I would let him have his way with me, then ask him to take my life. There was nothing here for me anymore. I had lost my parents, and now I had just been betrayed by the man I loved most in the world. I would peacefully accept my fate which should have occurred five years ago.
As I closed my eyes tightly and waited, all I could see was Soo-Won's smiling face. My heart burned with feelings of deep hurt, but even deeper love. Ah, I thought as Hiyou untied my sash, what a fool I am. Even now, I still can't stop loving him.
If I listened closely, I could even hear him calling my name. "Lily…Lily…Lily, answer me!"
My eyes flew open. It wasn't my imagination. Soo-Won was really here, and his voice was getting closer. Something inside me sparked at that moment, and before I even had time to think, I took a deep breath and cried out at the top of my lungs.
"Soo-Won!"
The door burst open and a large group of men swarmed in, headed by Soo-Won. He practically flew to the bed, threw Hiyou easily across the room, and took me up in his arms.
I could faintly hear him asking if I was alright, but I was unable to answer. I merely clung to him, sobbing uncontrollably, until everything slipped into merciful blackness.