Ae-Ra’s wrists strained against the ropes that bound her to the pole in the front yard of the Courtesan's House. Her breath quickened as Choi Daewon stood before her, his face twisted with anger. The physician worked silently nearby, dressing the wound on Choi Daewon’s head, but no one dared speak against the powerful minister’s wrath.

Lady Shin had done everything in her power to calm him, pleading for mercy, but Choi Daewon was beyond reason. He stormed over to Ae-Ra, stopping only inches away from her. "A Courtesan’s duty is to serve men," he hissed at her. "You are uneducated, with no other skills that could make you a respected Kisaeng in this house."

His hand moved to the knot of her dress, loosening it in a humiliating gesture as Ae-Ra's eyes widened with fury. She glared at him, refusing to let the shame show in her face, even as her heart pounded in her chest.

At that moment, Chae Mi-Sun, the most respected Kisaeng in the house, entered the pavilion. "I always see her getting punished," Chae Mi-Sun remarked quietly, almost to herself.

"Lady Chae, she is the daughter of the late Courtesan Soo-Yun," her assistant explained. "Every time she's sent to serve the men, she causes trouble. She despises working as a Kisaeng."

Chae Mi-Sun glanced briefly at Prince Youngsoo, who was watching the spectacle with disinterest, before returning her gaze to Ae-Ra.

"You have so much pride in your body," Choi Daewon sneered, his fingers still gripping the fabric of her dress. "Let me show you your place, you lowly wench!"

Ae-Ra struggled against the ropes, trying to free herself, but it was futile. She felt the eyes of the spectators—some turned away in discomfort, while others watched intently, their curiosity piqued by the drama unfolding before them.

"You don't have enough courage to face me head-on, so you resort to such cowardly methods," Ae-Ra sneered, her voice filled with derision. "What good is all your knowledge if you can't give respect to a woman?" Her mocking tone cut through the air, showing no respect to a creepy man like Choi Daewon.

She knew today would be her last. Every escape attempt had been in vain, and now, as the reality of her fate set in, her tears fell—not from the fear of death, but from the pain of not fulfilling her greatest wish: freedom.

Prince Youngsoo's eyes darkened at her insolence. "Minister Choi Daewon, step back," he ordered coldly. "She does not deserve to live. She must face the death penalty."

Ha-Neul had also arrived, breathless after hearing the news. Her heart clenched when she heard the prince's command. She instinctively stepped forward, but a Kisaeng at her side grabbed her arm. "Are you out of your mind? If you speak out now, you’ll be punished too. Ae-Ra has angered a top minister—this is no place for you to interfere."

Ha-Neul hesitated and stopped finally. Just then, the royal bodyguard pulled out the sword to slice Ae-Ra's neck.

Ae-Ra squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for the final blow. "So, this is how it ends," she murmured to herself. Just as the blade was about to fall, a powerful voice echoed through the courtyard, halting everything.

"Stop."

All eyes turned to see Lee Seo Jin, who was now free of his maroon robes, his disguise. He walked towards the scene with authority. His piercing gaze fell on Choi Daewon, then shifted to Ae-Ra, whose expression was a mixture of shock and confusion.

He was the same man who bumped into her earlier.

Lee Seo Jin stopped a few feet away from them. "Untie the young lady!" He ordered.

The gossip filled the courtyard as no one expected the great General of the kingdom to show himself like this.

Lee Seo Jin was the most respected figure in the kingdom after the King and the Crown Prince. Who hadn't heard about his valor. He conquered so many lands, brought peace to the places of unrest and unified the lands for the great King.

Ae-Ra was momentarily stunned because she hadn't seen such an authority of a person before who could even stop the Court Minister.

Prince Youngsoo's pulse quickened as fear gripped him. Now that Lee Seo Jin had found him here, word would surely spread throughout the palace about his presence in this courtesan's house. His carefully crafted reputation was at risk.

Lee Seo Jin, the formidable general, shifted his gaze from Ae-Ra to the prince. His expression was cold and disapproving. "Prince Youngsoo," he began, his voice steady and authoritative, "I’ve been searching for you. Little did I expect to find you here, in the company of a courtesan."

He approached the pole to which Ae-Ra was bound, his eyes briefly scanning her, noting her disheveled appearance and the loose fabric of her half-opened dress. "Is this how the prince vents his frustrations?" Seo Jin continued. "If His Majesty learns of this, it will bring you no favor."

Prince Youngsoo, attempting to salvage the situation, stammered out a defense. "General Lee, she struck my friend and spoke improperly with Minister Choi. I was simply meant to—"

"Prince Youngsoo," Lee Seo Jin interrupted, "you do not hold the authority to dictate punishment." His words left no room for argument, and Youngsoo could only lower his eyes, knowing the general was right.

Lee Seo Jin cast another glance at Ae-Ra. "Untie her," he commanded Ho Kang-Dae, his bodyguard, who immediately bowed and moved to carry out the order.

Choi Daewon stepped forward, his voice laced with indignation. "General Lee, this Kisaeng injured me. She must be held accountable. Let me handle it in my way."

Lee Seo Jin turned to face Choi Daewon with a glare.

“This young lady is no longer a Kisaeng!” Lee Seo Jin’s bold announcement rippled through the courtyard, shocking everyone.

Chae Mi-Sun stood frozen, unable to comprehend that General Lee, a man who never involved himself in such affairs, had just stepped in to save a mere Kisaeng. Was it fate, or had something else influenced his decision? She frowned, deep in thought.

"Pardon, General Lee, but I don’t understand the meaning of your statement," Choi Daewon interjected, still reeling from the shock.

By then, Ho Kang Dae had already untied the ropes binding Ae-Ra. Before anyone could react, Lee Seo Jin removed his overcoat. Ae-Ra, eyes wide with confusion, looked up just as the coat was draped over her trembling shoulders.

“She is my woman!” Lee Seo Jin declared loudly.

Ae-Ra stopped blinking her eyes, wondering if she heard him right. She thought to pull away, but Lee Seo Jin's grip on her shoulders was firm.

"I think General Lee has lost his mind," Choi Daewon sneered, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "How can he claim a Kisaeng as his woman?"

Lee Seo Jin’s eyes turned cold, his voice lethal. "Say that again, and your lifeless body will lie on the floor." The threat silenced Choi Daewon instantly, his smirk vanishing.

Without a second thought, Lee Seo Jin turned to his loyal guard. "Ho Kang Dae, escort the prince to the palace."

Ho Kang Dae approached Prince Youngsoo with a humble bow. "Please, this way, Your Highness."

Prince Youngsoo, who had remained quiet, not daring to defy General Lee further, left without a word, followed by Kang Dae and his own royal bodyguard.

Meanwhile, Ae-Ra was still bewildered, unsure why this man—whom she had encountered only briefly—was protecting her. She didn’t want to leave with him, but before she could object, Lee Seo Jin gently wiped the tears from her cheeks with his thumb, sending a shiver down her body.

"Who owns this house?" Lee Seo Jin asked without taking his eyes off Ae-Ra.

Lady Shin quickly stepped forward, bowing low. "Greetings, General Lee. I manage this establishment," she said politely.

"Erase Miss Ae-Ra's name from your records. She will no longer remain here," Lee Seo Jin ordered, his tone commanding.

Lady Shin was taken aback, struggling to find her words. "I...I'm afraid that decision does not lie with me, General. Only Officer Min-Joo has the authority to release a Kisaeng."

"Send him to my residence tomorrow morning," Lee Seo Jin responded sharply, leaving no room for negotiation.

His hand moved to smooth down Ae-Ra’s messy hair. She recoiled instinctively, stepping back, but Lee Seo Jin's arm circled her waist, pulling her close. "Stay still. Your hair is a mess," he said, his tone softer but still firm. His eyes scanned her face as he asked, "Did anyone hurt you?"

Lady Shin, trembling, dared to glance up before quickly lowering her gaze, fearful of the general’s wrath.

Choi Daewon, on the other hand, was fuming. "General Lee, this is outrageous! You are bending the law to protect her. She attacked a nobleman, and yet you shield her?"

Lee Seo Jin’s gaze darkened. “You still haven’t learned, have you? This woman is mine now! And soon, she will marry the General of this kingdom,” he declared.

Gasps filled the courtyard. Shock and awe rippled through the crowd, but none were more stunned than Ae-Ra herself. Marriage to General Lee? It felt like an impossible dream—or perhaps a nightmare.

“Let’s go, Ae-Ra.” Lee Seo Jin’s voice broke through her spiraling thoughts.

Before she could protest, he firmly took her by the hand and led her out of the courtesan’s house.