Luckly she doesn't know everything. If she finds out, my death is a given. The family's misfortune. The worst thing that could ever happen to a woman: I was seduced by a "gentleman". And I gave myself to him. He promised that he would come and get me the next day, with a marriage proposal. Instead, he disappeared forever. I still can't believe it.

A single woman who loses her virginity has only two possible fates: death or prostitution. Well, I still had one hope: going to the temple. But while I was debating between believing that my “beloved” would return or starting to actually take action to go to the temple, the selection to marry the emperor Yeoul showed up and my family's greed made everyone turn their eyes to me, the only female daughter. Preparations began immediately, and the surveillance over me was so strong that I didn't even have time to plan an escape.

In the midst of all this madness, the only thing I could think of was ways to ruin my presentation and ensure that I would be the court's last choice. After the selection, I would calmly think about everything I'd need to go to the temple – starting with convincing my family, something practically impossible, and then something even more difficult: a way to hide from the temple that I was no longer a virgin. Although difficult, it would be easier than hiding it from a rich, powerful husband, who thinks “purity” is a wife’s greatest virtue.

I looked at the splendid dress on the hanger. The fine yellow satin and purple ribbons brocaded with gold leaf. I chuckled nervously. How ironic... if all this luxury achieves its objective, my death will be the most austere ever seen.

Underneath the dress my family had invested so much money in, I put on a simple cotton outfit without any embroidery. Upon arriving at the palace, I went to the pavilion reserved for the candidates to “produce myself”. I took two petticoats out of the four I had, and threw the gold brocade dress in a corner along with the gold-with-emeralds hairpin. I undid my bun and messed up my braid. And washed off my makeup. I arrived at the hall and took the seat reserved for me. When introducing myself, I remembered every detail I learned in etiquette class – and did it all carefully wrong.