Back at the Cheng Residence
-------
The two daughters of the Cheng family hurried back home, their faces filled with worry.
"Paa! Paa!" Cheng Hee shouted as she burst into the room where her father was speaking with the butler.
Mr. Cheng looked up in surprise.
"Oh? You two are back so early. Didn't you enjoy the festival?"
Cheng Hee struggled to catch her breath.
"Cheng Mi… Cheng Mi is missing!"
"What?!" Mr. Cheng exclaimed, rising abruptly from his seat.
"How did this happen?"
"The market suddenly became very crowded," Cheng Hee explained anxiously. "In the chaos, we lost sight of her. We searched everywhere but couldn't find her. What if something happened to her?"
Cheng Ji crossed her arms and spoke coldly.
"What if she's already dead? After all, we may never know."
"Nonsense!" Mr. Cheng snapped. "She cannot be dead."
"Mr. Lee!" he called urgently.
"Yes, Master," the butler replied.
"Send people to search for her immediately!"
"Yes, Master!"
The butler hurried out to carry out the order.
-----
The Search
---------
Soon after, heavy rain began to fall.
Hours passed, yet no news came.
By midnight, the Cheng residence had become silent and tense.
"Sire!" the butler suddenly shouted as he rushed into the hall.
Mr. Cheng immediately stood up.
"Did you find her?"
The butler lowered his head sadly.
"No… we searched everywhere but couldn't find her."
Mr. Cheng's face grew pale.
"How could this happen…?"
Just then another servant rushed into the hall.
"Sire!"
"What is it?"
"We found this piece of clothing outside the main gate. Someone must have dropped it there."
The servant held out the cloth.
It was stained with blood.
Cheng Hee gasped.
"It… it belongs to Cheng Mi."
"Cheng Mi…" Mr. Cheng whispered as he slowly collapsed into his chair.
Servants around the hall began sobbing quietly.
But Cheng Ji stood silently in the corner, her head lowered—an eerie smile forming on her lips.
Three Days Later
---------
Three days later, a burial ceremony was held.
Cheng Mi was presumed dead.
The entire Cheng household wore mourning white as people came to offer their condolences.
Outside the residence, a mysterious figure dressed in a black cloak stood quietly in the distance.
The person watched the ceremony silently.
After a moment, the figure turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Years Later
-------
News from the Palace
.....
Years passed.
News spread across Gyeongdong City that the palace was recruiting new maids for the upcoming Imperial Birthday Festival, which would take place in one week.
The news reached the ears of a village girl named Kim Soyeon.
"They're recruiting palace maids…" she murmured to herself. "This is my chance to enter the palace."
She hurried home.
"Sister! You're back!" Soo-bin said happily as she ran toward her.
"Yes," Soyeon replied gently.
"I'll carry that," Soo-bin said as she took the grocery basket.
After a moment of silence, Soyeon spoke.
"I will be going to the palace tomorrow."
Soo-bin froze.
"What?! Why?"
"They're recruiting new maids. I will participate."
"No! You can't!" Soo-bin cried.
"Why?"
"The palace isn't a safe place," Soo-bin said with tears in her eyes. "You are the only family I have. You can't leave me."
She grabbed Soyeon's hands tightly.
"If you insist on going… then I'm coming with you."
Soyeon frowned.
"But you just said it isn't safe."
"I'll go wherever you go," Soo-bin insisted.
After a moment, Soyeon sighed.
"Alright. Then we'll leave together tomorrow."
Soo-bin brightened.
"That's good! After dinner, I'll start packing our things."
She hurried off excitedly.
The smile on Soyeon's face slowly faded.
Going to the palace with me will only put you in danger…
But I will protect you no matter what.
The Palace Recruitment
.......
The next morning, they arrived early at the palace gates.
Many beautiful young women had already gathered to participate in the selection.
"Wow, Sister," Soo-bin whispered. "There are so many people here. Do you think we can make it?"
"We will," Soyeon replied calmly.
She suddenly pulled Soo-bin aside.
"Rub this powder on your face," she said, handing her a small pouch.
"What is it for?"
"Just do it."
She also gave her a scarf.
"Cover your face."
"Sister, I don't understand what you're doing," Soo-bin said.
"I'll explain later," Soyeon replied.
Soon, a palace steward arrived.
"All recruits, follow me."
They were led inside the palace courtyard.
Inside the Palace
"My lady, the new recruits have arrived," a maid announced.
"Let them in," the woman replied.
The girls entered and lined up.
Soyeon lowered her head.
Cheng Ji…
She recognized her immediately.
Years had passed, but Cheng Ji and Cheng Hee had already entered the palace as royal concubines.
"You will line up and raise your heads," the steward instructed.
Cheng Ji began inspecting the girls one by one.
She stopped in front of the first girl.
"We do not need fat people who only know how to eat. Leave."
She moved to the next girl.
"You're too beautiful. That face is wasted on a servant. Leave."
The next girl.
"You're too skinny. Leave."
Finally she stopped in front of Soyeon.
"Why is your face covered?"
"My lady," Soyeon said with her head lowered, "my face was disfigured when I was a child, so I cover it."
"Remove it."
Soyeon slowly removed the scarf.
A large red scar covered her cheek.
Cheng Ji narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"Wipe your face with this handkerchief."
Just as Soyeon was about to do it, a maid suddenly rushed into the hall.
"My lady!"
"How dare you barge in!" Cheng Ji snapped.
"The prince… the prince is on his way here!"
Cheng Ji's expression instantly changed.
"What? Really?"
"Yes, my lady!"
She waved her hand quickly.
"You are all dismissed!"
The recruits hurried away.
"Ha-yoon," Cheng Ji called.
"Yes, my lady."
"Help me comb my hair."
The Prince Arrives
....
As the recruits were leaving, they encountered someone entering the palace courtyard.
"My prince!" they greeted, bowing deeply.
"You may rise," he said calmly.
As he walked past them, the wind brushed against Soyeon's scarf.
For a brief moment—
Prince Gyeongwon's gaze fell on her.