"I thought more about our deal, Sir, and I will need more money if you wish me to come to your place. It will cost you, because this might cost me my position here. If Madam Moon finds out that I left without telling her, she will throw me out. And I have nowhere else to go," whispered Minah, facing the old nobleman behind a closed door in the dim light.
"Very well, then. I will send one of the girls working in my house to visit you here. Tell Madam Moon she is a friend or a relative. You are clever—you will come up with something. Teach that girl everything you know about covering scars. I will also send you enough money, so make sure you purchase all the tools needed and send them to me through that girl," replied Minister Jang, looking deeply into Minah's eyes and punctuating each word with his index finger.
The next morning, Minister Jang was having breakfast with his wife.
"Where is Hana?" he asked while munching on kimchi.
"She is in her room, reading. Do you need her for something, Sir?" asked Lady Jang.
"No. But I need that girl—her maid. Send her to my office after breakfast. I need to speak with her," said Minister Jang, not looking at his wife as he focused on his fried rice.
"You have never asked to see that girl before. Why now? What could you possibly have to say to such a low-minded creature?" his wife replied sarcastically.
"That is not your concern for now. Just send her. I will explain everything later," answered Minister Jang, wiping his greasy lips with a cloth.
…
Nara was sitting in the garden with Hana, reading aloud from a book about the history of the royal family and the marriage protocol. The end of July was mercilessly hot, and Hana lazily waved a pink fan while reclining on the bench, half-dozing.
Lady Jang approached them and fixed her gaze on Nara.
"Stand up and go to Minister Jang's office. He has requested to see you."
Nara was surprised. She had been trying to avoid him and stay out of his sight as much as possible. This was unusual.
She stood, adjusted her blue skirt, bowed to Lady Jang, and left.
On her way to his office, her thoughts raced. Why now? What could he possibly want from her?
Arriving at his door, she announced herself and heard his deep voice granting permission to enter.
"Come and sit down," he said, studying her carefully. "Listen closely to what I am about to tell you, and do exactly as I say."
Nara sat on a cushion across from him, her head slightly bowed, not daring to meet his eyes.
"You have been in my household since your birth. You know everything about our family. Now we must prepare Hana to enter the selection for the future Queen of this nation. You know her. You know our secrets. And I know you are not a foolish girl. You care for her. Am I right?" Minister Jang asked, staring at her intently.
"Yes, Sir," she replied, her heart racing. His words made her uneasy; she could not guess where this conversation was heading.
"Good. Then I will speak honestly and place my trust—and my family's trust—in you. You will do whatever it takes to help Hana become Queen. If she enters the Palace, I will ensure that you go with her as her main lady. You will live a lavish life within those walls. But for that to happen, you must do exactly as I say."
Nara nodded, still not lifting her gaze.
"You know the requirements for entering the selection, do you not? And I am certain you are aware that Hana has a… small inconvenience that may cause problems."
He paused.
"That birthmark on her body must be concealed. I have found a way to do so. I need you to go somewhere and learn how. When you return, you will prepare Hana and hide that patch of skin as if it never existed."
Nara felt her breathing grow heavier. She clasped her hands tightly in her lap.
"I understand, Sir," she whispered.
"Tonight, after midnight, you will go to the Red Lantern House. No one must see you entering or leaving. Walk quickly. Do not stop. Do not speak to anyone. A girl will be waiting for you. She will teach you how to cover a scar or any flaw on the skin. Pay close attention. You have until before sunrise. Bring back everything necessary. She knows what to prepare. Your task is to remain unseen and return with the knowledge and the tools. Do you understand?"
For the first time, Nara lifted her eyes when she heard the name Red Lantern House. She knew what kind of place that was. And she knew it was not somewhere a maiden should be seen.
"I understand what you mean, Sir… but that place…"
"Do not be dramatic. That place is not the issue. What matters is making Hana flawless," Minister Jang said sharply.
"Yes, Sir," Nara replied, bowing her head again.
"Go now. Be prepared to leave at midnight. And take a cloak with you."
Nara left his office feeling anxious and unsettled. She considered returning to Hana, but instead turned toward the backyard.
She pulled open the wooden hatch set into the ground and descended.
"Mother, staying in this house is becoming harder and more frightening. I am beginning to understand what you endured. But I have nowhere else to go. And you are here. I cannot leave you behind," she whispered, sitting beside the grave, drawing her knees to her chest.
Later, while Hana slept, Nara returned to her room and prepared for the night ahead.
In the corner, beneath folded bedding, stood an old wooden chest containing her mother's belongings. After her mother's death, those items had passed to her. Mostly clothes.
She opened the chest and searched through the garments until her fingers stopped on something heavy and soft.
A velvet black cloak.
She lifted it slowly. Long. Coal-dark. Elegant. Far too refined for an ordinary housemaid.
How had her mother owned such a piece?
With a wide turn, she placed the heavy cloak over her shoulders and drew the hood low over her face, down to her nose. The texture, the weight, the cut—it made her feel powerful, almost noble.
Because it concealed her completely, she decided to wear it that night.
An hour before midnight, the weather shifted violently. Strong winds and fast-moving clouds swallowed the sky.
Wrapped in the cloak, hood pulled low, Nara slipped through the gates of the house.
The air was cold. The wind stole her breath. She moved quickly, eyes fixed on the ground.
As she turned the corner near the Red Lantern House, the rain began. Dust swirled in the wind, blurring her vision. With watery eyes and struggling to hold her cloak in place, she collided hard with someone and fell.
The heavy velvet tangled around her as she hit the ground.
Without thinking, she scrambled up and hurried away, refusing to be noticed. She turned her head briefly and saw a man standing still, watching her.
Her steps quickened.
She reached the large gates of the Red Lantern House and peeked inside. The windows glowed brightly. Rain poured so heavily that it drowned the noise within.
Ashamed and frightened, she hesitated. She had been told someone would wait for her—but no one was there.
"What are you doing here, little bird?" a voice suddenly called from behind.
She flinched, pulling her hood lower.
"You seem lost, darling. Come inside and keep me warm."
The man stepped closer, pressing against her. The smell of alcohol was overwhelming. Nara felt nausea rise in her throat. Her heart pounded as she fought the urge to run.
"Minister Lee, Sir, what a pleasure to see you tonight," a woman's voice called from inside the courtyard. "Why don't you come in and make yourself comfortable? I will bring you something warm to drink."
The woman slipped her arm through his and guided him away with a sly smile.
"Well, in that case, I will wait for you… and my drink," the man replied with a loud laugh, his round belly shaking as he staggered toward the house.
The young woman—fair-skinned, red-lipped, her bodice nearly bursting—turned to Nara.
"Minister Jang sent you, didn't he? Walk with me. Keep your face covered. Do not look at anyone. Do not speak to anyone. Do you understand?" Minah said sharply.
Nara followed her around the building into a dark room. Minah pushed her inside and closed the door quietly after ensuring no one had seen them.
The room was neat and orderly, yet something about it made Nara uneasy.
Minah locked the door and hurried to a corner. She removed several wooden floorboards and retrieved a black box hidden beneath them.
"Sit here," Minah instructed, pointing to the bed. "I will teach you how to cover scars, as Minister Jang requested. He told you why you are here, correct?"
Nara hesitated briefly, then nodded.
"Yes. He told me everything."
"We have less than four hours until sunrise. I will explain and demonstrate everything. Pay attention and memorize it."
After three hours, Nara left the Red Lantern House wrapped once more in the black velvet cloak. Holding a silky blue bundle in her arms, she made her way carefully toward Minister Jang's house, trying not to slip on the muddy road left behind by the rain.