"Don't stress so much. You've won my heart, Ae-Ra," Seo Jin repeated softly, offering her a reassuring smile. His words lingered, but before Ae-Ra could respond, the sound of a throat clearing interrupted them.

Dong-Sun entered, bowing slightly before speaking. "My lord, the bathhouse is ready," he informed them.

Lee Seo Jin stood up, his hands gently slipping from Ae-Ra's shoulders. "You shall follow Dong-Sun. We'll continue this conversation over dinner," he said. Ae-Ra nodded and followed Dong-Sun out. As she left, Seo Jin watched her until she disappeared from sight.

The moment was broken by Kang Dae as he stepped forward. "General Lee, why did you rescue Kisaeng?" His tone carried a hint of disapproval.

Lee Seo Jin's expression hardened. "Kang Dae, she is no longer a Kisaeng. You will speak respectfully about my woman. She is Ae-Ra, and soon, she will be my wife."

Kang Dae's eyes widened in disbelief. "General Lee, you are supposed to marry the daughter of the King! How could you abandon that alliance? Forgive me, but your entire family and the Royal Court have long wished for this union. Princess Eun Mi has been waiting for you, especially after the war, and now you tell me this?" His voice rose, laced with frustration and concern.

Seo Jin remained calm. "Kang Dae, have I ever reciprocated Princess Eun Mi's feelings?" he asked.

Kang Dae fell silent, knowing the answer. Seo Jin had never shown any interest in the princess, despite the pressure from his family and the royal court.

"Ae-Ra is special to me," Seo Jin began, a small smile forming on his lips as he reflected on the events. "If I hadn't met her today, I may have gone through with the marriage to Princess Eun Mi. But when our eyes met, even for that brief moment, I saw something I hadn't seen in any other woman. I never believed in love at first sight until I fell. She wanted to escape, but because of me, she got caught. And yet, she didn’t submit, even when her life was on the line." Seo Jin's smile widened as he recalled the scene.

"When that man tried to touch her, she hit him, despite the danger. That fearlessness, that defiance, is something I admire. I cannot stand submissive women, you know that."

Kang Dae had calmed down, but his concerns still lingered. "Your father is going to be furious. I don't think anyone will accept Miss Ae-Ra as your wife," he remarked, knowing the social backlash Seo Jin’s decision would provoke. "The people will judge, they will question your family, and it won't be easy."

"Kang Dae," Seo Jin said, turning to his friend with a softer tone. "I understand your concern. But I saved her because she’s different. I've never met a woman like her." He placed a hand on Kang Dae's shoulder, giving him a reassuring pat. "You don't need to worry about me. I know what I'm doing."

Kang Dae sighed, still skeptical. "It's just so unlike you, Seo Jin. We were sent to uncover Prince Youngsoo’s plans, and instead, you brought Miss Ae-Ra to your home. It's hard for me to believe you're not setting yourself up for trouble."

Seo Jin’s expression remained resolute. "This is not a plan. It’s a choice. Ae-Ra is unlike any woman I've known, and that's why she’ll be my wife."

Kang Dae could see that further argument would be futile. He bowed his head slightly and left.

Seo Jin removed his overcoat, heading toward the bathhouse. His thoughts remained on Ae-Ra, knowing full well the challenges ahead, but certain in his heart about the decision he'd made.

~~~~~

Ae-Ra sat quietly in the warm bath, surrounded by rose petals, as the gentle heat of the water seeped into her sore muscles.

It was a luxury she had never experienced before, and it felt foreign to her—a life far removed from the harsh reality she had known. The maids worked efficiently, carefully bathing her, but Ae-Ra's mind was elsewhere, lost in confusion and disbelief.

She still couldn’t understand why General Lee had rescued her. All her life, she had been told she was worth nothing more than her role as a Kisaeng. And now, a powerful general, a man who was destined to marry a princess, had declared he wanted her as his wife. It made no sense.

Her thoughts drifted back to the moment when she had first left the Kisaeng House. The air outside had felt different—cleaner, fresher. The world beyond the walls of the house had seemed so vast, so free. She had seen open fields, large houses, and people bustling about their lives. It felt like a dream. And riding with General Lee on horseback—it was something she never thought she would experience. Yet here she was, in his home, being treated like someone important.

"Miss, did you get whipped on your back?" One of the maids asked softly, her voice laced with concern. Ae-Ra tensed slightly, her fingers curling under the water. The maid's eyes trailed over her body, noticing the dark bruises and scars that marred her skin. "Such wounds…they cover your body," the maid murmured, her tone sympathetic.

Ae-Ra remained silent. Those marks were a part of her past, a reminder of every time she had dared to defy the rules or attempted to run away. Each scar told a story, a painful reminder of the life she had endured, the price of survival. She had learned to live with the pain, but it had never dulled the memory of each beating, each punishment for trying to grasp freedom that always seemed just out of reach.

Once her bath was finished, the maids helped her out of the water.

She dressed in a soft pink hanbok, her long hair cascading freely down her back, held in place by a delicate hair clip. Her hair was usually bound up, but today it was left loose, which only enhanced her beauty. A small smile tugged at her red lips as she admired how the hanbok accentuated her graceful figure.

"Miss, please follow me," a maid's voice interrupted her thoughts. Ae-Ra nodded quietly and followed behind. The pain from the lashes on her legs—punishment she had received earlier that morning—began to intensify with each step, slowing her pace.

After a short walk, they arrived at their destination. The maid slid open the doors and gestured for Ae-Ra to enter. She stepped inside and was greeted by the sight of an ornate inner chamber.

The room was adorned with exquisite wall paintings, and in the center stood a low table surrounded by a plush red mattress with two cushioned seats. To the side, a wooden shelf held various items, while four large lanterns illuminated the room from each corner, casting a warm glow.

"This is your bedchamber," the maid said, drawing Ae-Ra's attention to the left. Ae-Ra turned to see a traditional ondol bed laid out on the floor, the heated flooring beneath it providing comfort. The maid continued, "The dressing room is adjacent to this chamber."

Ae-Ra was taken aback by the spaciousness of the room. Her previous living conditions as a lower-level kisaeng were a stark contrast to this luxury. In the cramped quarters where she once resided, there had been barely enough room to sit, stand, or sleep. Basic comforts were denied to those of her status. She had only heard from Ha-Neul that high-ranking kisaengs enjoyed such lavish chambers—akin to those of the royals.

But it felt unsettling. Why was General Lee Seo Jin offering her such privileges? She had only just heard his name today, had only just met him. How could a man, after meeting her once, claim to want her as his bride?

Lost in her thoughts, Ae-Ra was suddenly brought back to the present as Lee Seo Jin entered the room. The maid quickly bowed and lowered her head.

"Send the food for us," he commanded in a deep, authoritative voice.

The maid hurriedly departed, leaving Ae-Ra alone with Seo Jin, whose eyes now rested on her.