Chapter 30

For Park Do-jun, who lives eternally, Han Yu-hwa was a momentary amusement.

It was certainly like that at first.

-Screech.

​

「Here, this is the eldest daughter of the Han family, the one you have been eagerly searching for. Is your heart now at ease?」

「Oh, it seems there was some misunderstanding… What I wanted to see was your brother, not you.」

「…Pardon?」

The first encounter that was born from a mix of misunderstanding and coincidence.

It was quite a sight to see Han Yu-hwa’s cheeks and ears slowly turning red as she belatedly realized her mistake.

From that day on, the frequency of Park Do-jun’s visits to Han Yu-hwa’s house reduced from once a month to once every two weeks, then to once a week. Eventually, he began visiting her almost daily.

That was because he found it amusing to see Han Yu-hwa flinch every time their eyes met, lowering her gaze.

Even when she only wore her gentle smile as usual, her embarrassment was palpable, like observing a chestnut just before it bursts open.

Then, one unexpected day during a sudden downpour, he ended up staying longer by her side than usual.

「So, you really have never set foot outside your gate?」

「Yes. What’s wrong with that?」

They engaged in a conversation that went a bit deeper than usual.

He learned that Han Yu-hwa had lived a life akin to that of an orchid in a bedroom pot.

No matter how grand a tiled house might be, compared to the outside world, it was undeniably cramped.

And so, the very next day.

「P-please, my lord. Could you walk a bit slower? It’s difficult for me to keep up with your pace.」

「Oh, I thought I was already walking slowly enough. Was I not?」

With hardly a care, he brought Han Yu-hwa to the market, showing her the so-called “worldly sights.”

It was merely an opportunity to witness Han Yu-hwa’s new appearance, who always tried to seem dignified.

He wanted to see her surprise at the outside world and her fascination with even the small things.

However, at that moment when a vendor with a long beard presented Han Yu-hwa with a beautiful flower hairpin, and when she turned her head towards Park Do-jun with a flower blooming atop her lovely hair…

「Why… are you silent? You should tell me if it suits me or not.」

What was a flower?

What was Han Yu-hwa?

For a brief moment, he could not tell the difference.

Han Yu-hwa tilting her head at the sight of Park Do-jun, who was unlike his usual light-hearted self, seemed inevitable.

Of course, he had not voiced it.

He hadn’t even admitted it to himself.

But it was undeniable that since that moment, Park Do-jun had developed feelings for Han Yu-hwa.

Affection began to swirl even beneath the guise of light banter, something he couldn’t help but be careful with, as delicate as the porcelain on a table that could easily break.

He treasured it more than any connection he had formed until that time.

While it wasn’t a completely love-driven emotion, it was more akin to a hope that Han Yu-hwa would be happy as a person.

…Therefore.

It was only natural that he extended his hand to Han Yu-hwa, who lamented her fate of marrying a man old enough to be her father.

「I will tell you as many times as needed, why foolish flowers continue to bloom.」

Of course, it was not an impulsive, fleeting choice.

He intended for her to live her remaining days as the adopted daughter of someone living near the capital.

It would be a life tougher than living in a grand tiled house, but still, it would be full of freedom, rich with experiences that Han Yu-hwa could see, feel, and remember as she pleased.

Han Yu-hwa too did not regret taking Park Do-jun’s hand.

On that day when she secretly left home, a slight ache stirred within her chest, but there were no other choices left.

Thus, in an instant, Han Yu-hwa’s parents, whose connection to the powerful Kim Pan-seo had vanished, were greatly angered.

They completely erased her existence as if she never had been, preventing anyone from looking for Han Yu-hwa.

From then on, it was the first time in her life that Han Yu-hwa, who had lived as a noblewoman, worked in harsh farm labor and went on outings to beautiful places with Park Do-jun.

On a day when her times were somewhat joyful yet happy, she heard:

「The royal army have spread out in the capital. They are specifically here to catch you!」

Because of an old woman, who coincidentally witnessed Park Do-jun’s strange power, reporting them to the authorities, Park Do-jun and Han Yu-hwa found themselves on the run.

They ultimately got completely cornered near a river in the countryside.

-The footprints have stopped around here. They must be hidden somewhere in that reed field; we must capture them and uproot their wickedness from this land—!!

They found themselves in a painful situation where one of them had to sacrifice themselves.

However, perhaps due to the strained efforts during their escape, or perhaps because the full moon night sky had arrived, which was like venom to Park Do-jun…

「No matter what happens, no matter what sounds you hear, do not look back. Just go.」

Park Do-jun had weakened to the point where he couldn’t even easily grasp Han Yu-hwa’s fingertips as she slowly turned her back to him.

And so, one step.

Then another step.

Finally, Han Yu-hwa reached the edge of the reed field and turned slowly towards Park Do-jun.

「…I, with a sinful body, dare to request of you.」

That the kindness Park Do-jun had shown her was by no means a given.

Originally, she should have ended her life as a mere plaything for a man whose face she hadn’t even seen.

Regretting that she had pushed Park Do-jun into such a painful situation over a mere fleeting farewell not even lasting three years, she said:

「Please.」

In her final moments, it was the one thing Han Yu-hwa could uniquely do.

At the same time, it was the only thing she could offer him.

With her trembling lips bit hard.

However, the tears that had begun to flow down her cheeks could not be held back anymore, revealing a clear sign of the regret and sadness she felt.

「May you rest in peace.」

She stepped one step further away from Park Do-jun, fully revealing herself outside the reeds.

What showed in her eyes as she faced the soldiers beyond was nothing but resolve.

-Haah…

A breath was exhaled.

A breath containing all the tremors, fears, and lamentations.

Simultaneously, the quiet breath that she was on the verge of fully losing was let out in that fleeting moment for the last time.

-They said it was definitely using evil sorcery. Do not approach and shoot to kill!!

Thus, as numerous arrows were finally drawn towards Han Yu-hwa.

In less than a second after that moment when sharp arrowheads sliced through the air towards her.

-Thud.

Han Yu-hwa took her last step—further away from Park Do-jun.

And at the same time, numerous arrows flew fiercely and mercilessly struck her small body.

They embedded themselves in her delicate shoulders, muddy chest, and arms filled with tiny scratches.

-Thud.

-Thud. Thud. Thud…

To simply sever the breath of that wicked creature, she plunged those hard and sharp metal edges even deeper.

-Thud.

Weak knees fell powerless to the ground.

Red liquid began to seep out gradually, staining her white clothing.

Yet, slowly.

Grasping at the fading consciousness with difficulty, she raised her head painfully.

Facing the clear, vast night sky without a single cloud.

Standing in front of that place where she had found her only sanctuary, the place she had to return to.

「Please… may you rest in peace….」

In a quiet whisper, her last wish was spoken with a sound so small that no one could hear.

As she slowly began to fall towards the ground, the last bit of life within her was completely released, leaving behind her lonely and desolate figure.

At last, there was no warmth emanating from Han Yu-hwa as she collapsed completely over the boundary of the reeds and the roadside.

The only thing she left behind was a single tear that rolled down from her right eye, still partially open.

“…Cut.”

There were no exclamations whatsoever.

The stiff and rigid signal of approval from Director Song Tae-kwon.

Nevertheless, no one felt that it was a lackluster performance because everyone around knew it was not undermining Ha Eun’s acting.

It was somewhat expected.

All the staff, including Song Tae-kwon.

No, even the extras, who until moments before had only shown hostility towards Ha Eun, had already been completely engulfed in her acting.

What had been mixed was the acting that Han Seon-woo had spoken about years ago, which focused more on the situation than the character, and the way Ha Eun originally possessed.

Simultaneously, it was what Yu Seong-a had once called something unique to Ha Eun.

It could be referred to by many names—atmosphere, aura, charisma—but it was something that could not be accurately explained by any name.

Right now.

‘…They say an actor speaks through their performance.’

With her intention, Ha Eun forcibly conveyed the emotions and thoughts of others, leaving no room for stray thoughts to slip in.

No one on set could feel anything other than what Ha Eun intended.

It was like an acting that was a deep, viscous swamp from which one could never escape once swallowed.

It was a kind of fear that was sufficient just through experience without any dazzling accolades.

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