It was a hot night at the end of July when Lee Sun sat alone in his study, his head resting in his hands.
"Your Highness, I apologize for interrupting… The Queen Dowager requests to see you immediately," said the eunuch in a hesitant voice.
"Is my mother unwell? Why would she summon me at such a late hour?" Lee Sun replied, rising hastily and moving toward the door.
Without waiting for further explanation, he made his way straight to the Queen Dowager's quarters, followed by the hurried footsteps of eunuchs and maids.
Pushing open the doors to his mother's chamber, Lee Sun saw her lying on her floor bed, dressed in her night garments.
She looked pale—tired and in visible pain. The troubling swelling on the right side of her abdomen had begun tormenting her again.
"Mother, what is it? Are you ill?" he asked, kneeling beside her, his face marked with worry.
The Queen Dowager turned her head toward him, drawing a slow breath before speaking.
"My son, I called you because there is something I must say—and I will not debate it with you. I do not have the strength for discussion, and you do not have the luxury of time. My condition is worsening. The court must not learn of this. If they suspect weakness, the ministers will begin to question your authority. Sun, you must stand firmly before them. You must marry as soon as possible."
"Mother, is this truly the moment to speak of marriage?" Lee Sun began, but she fixed him with a stern gaze and attempted to sit up.
"Sun, this is your duty. Tomorrow is the first of August. We will send out the royal announcement for the selection. The process will begin in mid-August, and the wedding will take place before September begins. This is final."
Her breathing grew heavier as she pressed her hand to her side.
Lee Sun looked at her, pain etched across her features, and his expression hardened.
"Very well, Mother. We will do as you say. It is my duty, and I will treat it as such—nothing more. But you must recover. You have a wedding to attend."
He stood and left the chamber, anger simmering beneath his composed exterior.
The next morning, Lee Sun summoned his secretary and ordered the royal decree to be issued.
All noble families with unmarried daughters were required to submit applications and present them before the selection board. Furthermore, no weddings were to be held during this period, for every maiden in the kingdom belonged first to the King.
As the first day of August drew to a close, Lee Sun felt suffocated within his chambers. He changed his attire and slipped out of the Palace through a hidden passage, accompanied only by his guard.
The Red Lantern House was alive with drunken laughter, clinking glasses, and shrill bursts of feminine amusement.
As he walked toward his private room, he noticed Minister Jang seated among other noblemen, engaged in lively conversation.
Once inside his chamber, he barely had time to sit before Madam Moon entered, closing the door carefully behind her.
"What news do you bring?" Lee Sun asked coolly.
"Your Highness, unusual things have occurred. He is becoming more suspicious," Madam Moon said, tilting her head subtly toward the room where Minister Jang sat.
"Speak," Lee Sun demanded sharply.
"The girl—Minah—the one I mentioned before… he seems particularly interested in her. He has asked for her repeatedly. And you know I am aware of everything that happens here—even the movement of a rat does not escape me. A few nights ago, someone came and met her privately. The visitor followed her to her room."
"A man?" Lee Sun asked.
"No. It appeared to be a woman. From her figure, I would say a young woman. She stayed in Minah's room for three or four hours."
Lee Sun's expression shifted.
"Was this on a rainy night? And was she wearing a black cloak?" he asked, his voice tightening with curiosity.
"Indeed, Your Highness. How would you know this?" Madam Moon asked, surprised.
"Is this girl still here?" Lee Sun continued, ignoring her question.
"Yes. She remains here, doing household chores only. I told you—no man can handle her. She becomes frightened and uncontrollable around men."
A faint smirk touched Lee Sun's lips.
"A wild one, you say," he murmured. "Then perhaps it is time she entered the jungle… and met its king."
He laughed softly.
Madam Moon watched him, unease tightening her stomach.
"I want to know everything about her. And I want to understand her connection to Minister Jang. Madam Moon, tomorrow night I want this girl brought to my private chamber. Close the establishment. I will rent the entire house."
"Your Highness, are you certain—?" Madam Moon began anxiously.
Lee Sun turned to her, his expression dark.
"Do as I ordered."
He left without another word.
That night, Madam Moon spread the message that the house would be closed the following evening. Angry murmurs rose among the regular patrons, but none dared protest openly.
The next morning, Madam Moon summoned Minah to her private room.
"Sit," she instructed, watching the girl carefully.
"You wished to speak with me, Madam?" Minah asked cautiously.
"Yes. Minah, I have warned you before not to leave your chambers at night. You claimed you were not ready to receive anyone. Yet someone has noticed you—and requested you specifically."
Minah swallowed hard.
"But I never leave my room. How could anyone know about me?" she asked nervously.
"I do not know. I only know that a very important man has asked for you tonight."
"Tonight?" Minah's eyes widened with fear.
"Yes. I warned you this day would come. I have protected you for as long as I could—until a client specifically demanded you. When I brought you here, I explained the terms. And this client… is not like the others. Whatever arrangement you have with Minister Jang, this man requires even greater care. Minah, I do not want any reckless behavior from you."
"But, Madam…" Minah's voice trembled.
"There is no more discussion. Prepare yourself. Or you may leave this house and seek shelter in some lesser brothel, where you will entertain drunk laborers and criminals."
Minah felt her chest tighten. She rubbed her hands together nervously.
"Go. Ask the girls to bathe and prepare you," Madam Moon ordered.
Minah rose slowly, her gaze lowered. She bowed and turned to leave.
"It is your duty now, girl. Do not be stubborn," Madam Moon called after her.
As Minah stepped into the corridor, nausea churned in her stomach. The thought of lying beside an unknown man made her feel ill.
And her past—no matter how hard she tried—continued to chase her.