1 Chapter 0

[Year 1566, Joseon]

"What a crazy wench."

"Tell me about it. I'd willingly give my daughter up to his Majesty."

Soft whispers with harsh emphasis were exchanged in a dimly-lit hallway. Each corner of the hallway had one fire torch hanging from the wall. Scattered straws of hay can be seen occupying the rather sandy floor.

For a dungeon, the hallway was rather clean.

Though, it was rather humid as drops of water seem to make its way from the walls. After all, just above the underground dungeons was the washing area for the maids. Sometimes court ladies could be heard sneaking around with eunuchs for late-night rendezvous.

"That's what I'm saying. She wouldn't be in this situation if she'd just accept being his concubine."

The voices of two males who have now increased in volume echoed throughout the dungeon's hallway. One of them, a palace guard in his late 40s held a spear in his hand as he knocked on the wooden door of an occupied cell, calling out, "Hey, miss. If I were you, I'd give up being stubborn."

A soft groan was given in response. Inside said cell, a young woman with hair tied up into a messy bun on the top of her head was tied to a wooden chair.

The rope that bound her coiled from below her chest all the way to her mid-calves. Her face showed abuse as purple bruises begin to form in spots on her cheeks and the skin surrounding her left eye. Her lips were chapped and peeling while the corner of it had a few cuts.

It was obvious that she had received several beatings.

Her arms were tied to the back of the chair she was seated on and the red markings in which the ropes settled were now making its presence more known. The fading of a few bruises on her lower arm also showed that she had received abused for a week now. Some of her wounds are in the early stages of healing but not properly.

She was dressed in all white-- a long-sleeved top that was pushed up to her upper arm and long pants that were baggy in its legs.

It was the attire a prisoner wore.

However, her all-white prisoner clothing was soiled with dried blood and dirt from the floor.

Wi Ha-neul licked her bottom lips in hopes that it would moisten and provide the slightest of comfort to it. But she has gone two days without water now.

One would think it would still be alright but with the amount of blood she lost within the couple of days, her body felt like it was shutting down.

She moved her arms around, in hopes that slowly, the rope would loosen its grip on her. But to no avail, it was bound tightly.

She coughed a few times, trying to get her voice out, replying, "I...I'd ra..."

Clearing her throat, she finished, "-rather d-die."

The other male standing with the palace guard, dressed in a royal blue silk robe shook the wooden door of the cell before replying spitefully, "You will, in a few days."

He was obviously an officer who worked in the King's court, holding a high position in the country.

-----

A figure dressed in all-black tried his best to stealthily make his way down the stairs that led towards the dungeon.

With a scarf piece tied around his face, it covered his nose downwards. Though what he was attempting would definitely get him executed on sight, he figured that hoping for his escape alongside another that was imprisoned would push for his optimism to come true.

He found himself stop short and pressed against the wall of the dungeon as the sound of footsteps halted his actions.

The barred window that allowed for air from above enter carried the sounds that were also from above. He listened in for a moment, curious as to whether his presence was known to the palace guards or anyone in the palace compound for that matter.

"Sir! We have to hurry. I received a message from a local herbalist in Sankwang. Some of the villagers have been infected."

"Deploy into three teams. One to Sankwang, another to Kunrae and an emergency patrol team to Anguk. Anguk has been cleared out but we need to make sure."

"Yes, sir. Let's go."

The footsteps indicated that they've hurriedly gone to complete the orders given.

The man dressed in black who was still pressed against the wall took a breath before he continued further into the hallway.

As he examined the numerous cells down the hallway, he found one that was locked securely.

He reached a hand towards the large padlock before shaking it, in an attempt to get rid of it. Pulling down the scarf that concealed his face, he called out, "Ha-neul? Ha-neul, are you there?"

Rustling was heard from inside the cell as the strained voice of Ha-neul replied, "D-Dan-won-sshi?"

The male's eyes widened at the confirmation. Looking around, Dan-won made sure once again that no one was witnessing this. After doing so, he reached for the padlock that was preventing the door from opening before sliding a metal key into it, successfully opening it.

If they were caught now, the King wouldn't just execute him, he'd be torn to pieces.

The raven-haired male hurriedly pushes the now unlocked wooden door open to find a sight he was fearful of finding. He bit his lower lip, not wanting the female bound to see it quiver both in anger and sadness.

Dan-won's right hand fisted next to him but before he could curse, he found Ha-neul managing a smile despite the obvious agony she was placed under.

"Dan-won-sshi..." Ha-neul called out before a fit of coughing had made her upper body bend over slightly, as much as the ropes bounding her allowed for.

As though her voice had pulled him out of his thoughts, the male found himself crouched in front of her. He then reached a hand out before helping to push back a few strands of hair that were astray on her face. He tucked them behind her ears and moved his hand to cup her cheek, using his thumb to stroke lightly at the skin that wasn't bruised.

Ha-neul smiled even more widely if possible before leaning into the touch, her eyes closing for a moment.

"Thank you for coming." She said before opening her eyes. The small scar under his eye now less visible to her eye as the only light present in her cell was the moonlight seeping through.

Dan-won said nothing but nodded, trying to blink back the tears that were threatening to form.

He couldn't help but blame himself for all the pain she had to go through. But that could wait.

They needed to flee.

Without a word, he reached into his pants pocket, grabbing a sheathed blade, unsheathing it before cutting off the rope that was binding her to the chair.

After helping her up, he leaned her weight against himself, attempting to share some of her burden, considering she was too weak to walk on her own. As they made their way towards the door of the cell, shouts could be heard from above, carried by the wind from the barred window that led to the outside.

"Head to the dungeons!"

"Make sure no one escapes alive!"