Page 36 of Gumiho Kiss
Mr.Park nodded.“Once Gwishin is no longer at large, I won’t be needed anymore.It would put my heart at ease if I knew you could defend yourself when I’m not around.”
Chin Sun stiffened, something stirring within her at his words.Or maybe it was the way he’d said them, as if his desire to protect her had nothing to do with duty.
“Lee Chin Sun-sshi!”a voice cried.
The two of them whirled toward it and found a familiar figure sprinting across the courtyard, unconcerned with the impropriety of his actions.His black robe bore a pattern of purple peonies that matched the soft purple sleeves under his jeogori.He careened to a stop a few paces in front of them, eyes fixed on Chin Sun.
“Young Master Kang, I didn’t expect to see?—”
He gripped her hands, panting like he’d just run halfway across the city.“Lee Chin Sun-sshi, I heard what happened.What are you doing here?Is your uncle all right?”
Chin Sun gestured to Uncle and Kim Min Joon.“He’s fine.Thank you for your concern.”
Young Master Kang let out a sigh.“What a relief.I’m so glad Gwishin didn’t hurt him.”
“Gwishin?”She drew her hands away, feeling lightheaded all of a sudden.“What are you talking about?Gwishin didn’t do this.”
“It’s all over Sokju.The vigilante killed a scholar in cold blood.There are multiple witnesses who attest to it.”
“Witnesses?That can’t be....We saw the killer ourselves.”She turned to her bodyguard.“Tell him, Mr.Park.”
Mr.Park bowed in greeting.“What she says is true.The cre—person we encountered was most definitely not Gwishin.”
Young Master Kang rubbed at his forehead.“Are you sure?Everyone else is saying so.It sounds like the magistrate intends to tighten security around the city.More officers on patrol, and not even women will be allowed out after curfew.”
“He can’t do that,” Chin Sun blurted.“The other yangban would never allow it.”
“I don’t know....”Young Master Kang said vaguely.“The people are more upset than I’ve ever seen them, nobles and peasants alike.”
What?The sangmin, too?Had one false accusation been enough for even the common people to lose faith in her?
“But they’ll listen to you, right?If you tell them they’re overreacting?”She tried to keep her anger pinned down, but her tone came out a little too biting.
How could they do this to her?She’d fought for them, bled for them, and instead of believing in her when she needed them most, they’d rally against her?
“Are they overreacting though?Someone is dead, and this time, there’s no way it can be justified.”
“But it wasn’t Gwishin who did it,” she insisted.“You don’t want them to arrest the wrong person, do you?”
Young Master Kang leaned back, visibly startled by her intensity.“Even if Gwishin didn’t do this, he’s still a criminal, Lady Lee.I don’t understand why you’re defending him.”
Chin Sun slammed her mouth shut, the blood draining from her face.She’d made a mistake.She patted her hair as if trying to make sure it was neat, then put on her most innocent expression.“Me, defend that lowlife?I’m not sure how you reached that conclusion.I just don’t want to see my beloved Sokju in a state of panic.It could be dangerous.”
Mr.Park snorted, which earned a subtle glare from Chin Sun and a confused look from Young Master Kang before her betrothed smiled at her like she was both charming and hopelessly naive.
“Your kind heart is admirable, Lady Lee, but I’m afraid this is out of my hands.Anyway, I’m glad to see you and your uncle are well.”He turned to Mr.Park and encouraged his friend to come by for a visit when he got the chance, then excused himself.
Leaving Lee Chin Sun to try her best not to show how distraught his news had made her.Were the people really going to abandon her so easily?
She glanced at the faces of the scholars and teachers around her.She took in their fear, their hopelessness, their grief.She’d wanted to save them.
But now she knew they’d have responded the same way Aunt had when she’d found out what Chin Sun truly was.The moment was just as clear and heart-wrenching as it had been four years ago.
Chin Sun was only fourteen, in the thick of learning all that was expected of a noblewoman.She and her sungmo were walking at the edge of town, by the rice paddy fields, and Chin Sun was angry with herself for making so many mistakes with her sewing.She’d messed up five times and even pricked Aunt’s hand.She felt like such a failure, but Sungmo kindly told her it took time to gain skills, and the important thing was to keep trying.
Chin Sun glanced over at her aunt with a grateful smile, but then something flashed in the corner of her eye.
A dagger catching the sunlight.
