❛❛ dead. that's what you'll be ❜❜
. ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : – ⭒ ❀ ⭒ – : ✧ : -˚̣⋅ .
"no! i will not! i would never marry that man"
her father tried to calm her down, motioning for his wife to go near their daughter, who was currently breaking down on the marble floor.
"haewon, the young king specifically asked for you to marry his closest comrade. its an honor to be chosen by his majesty"
she shakes her head vigorously, pressing her hands onto her tear stained face. her blonde hair was disheveled as her mother stayed by her side.
"i would rather die than marry that man! king hongjoong is prestigious but that comrade of his.. have you not heard the rumors about him??"
the nobleman looks at his wife, who lowers her head as she continues to caress the back of their only daughter.
of course he knew. everyone knew the rumors about the viscous and cold hearted comrade of the king.
park seonghwa.
or more known as hwaseong; mars.
everyone knew that name. may it be from their own kingdom or from neighboring ones. the man was known to be ferocious and would not even bat an eye as he kills his victims mercilessly.
his name itself sent shivers down the spines of those who knew him.
get on his bad side, and you would not even see the light of day once again.
only the king himself and few other accomplices were close to the man. some said that he blackmailed all those who are close to him and some said that the black haired killer owed the seven boys.
seonghwa and king hongjoong were partners during the war. they worked side by side during the bloody battle in the kingdom of tiany. this battle was one that people knew oh so well, for it was the battle were the citizens had lost the whole royal bloodline.
the people reigned kim hongjoong to be king because he was the appointed general and he was one that slayed their enemies. park seonghwa was also a candidate but refused. now he was the general and the king's personal right hand man.
seonghwa was seen cold and distant by many for his eyes held no sympathy nor kindness.
"what do you want us to do?" he said, feeling both sympathetic and irritated at how his daughter was acting "we cant simply refuse the king. think about our family's pride— our honor and our name!"
she cries more, clutching her heart as she looks at her father "just kill me. or think of something, i dont want to marry a man like him!"
she shakes her head once again, her mother tapping her back for comfort. she lets her hair go free as her eyes produced more tears "find a replacement. the king nor that park seonghwa knows what i look like. they've never seen me before. they only picked me because our family are well-known noblemen, right?"
her father ruffles his hair as he looks around "who in the right mind would be willing honey. think about it"
she rolls her eyes "and you think im willing?"
the man lets out yet another frustrated sigh, rubbing his temples as his daughter continues her sobbing fit.
he turns around, the fireplace bright in his vision. the flames of it crackled as a handmaid placed newly chopped wood into it, picking at it with a metal stick as a couple of ashes flies out.
he stares at the figure. hurriedly grabbing her wrist as if all his problems were solved "you! you shall be the replacement of my child"
the woman turns, looking at him. she had heard everything that was happening between the family, yet she minded her own business as she didnt really care about what they were talking about.
little did she know. her life was about to change.
the two women on the floor looks at the handmaid "her? how could a servant like her possibly replace haewon? just look at her, once general park sees her, he'll immediately know and she'll be killed. what would happen to our family once he discovers that she's not our daughter"
haewon takes shaky steps to stand up. fixing her gown as she stumbles a little.
the nobleman looks at the handmaid, slowly feeling guilty as he drags the poor girl into their own problem.
but it was either her or his daughter.
haewon approaches the woman and her father slowly "i'll orient her. leave her to me"
the girl doesn't say a word. she had no rights to say anything for she was only a mere servant in the chai household.
༺❀༻
"once general park finds out that you are not chai haewon but only a mere handmaid. he will kill you in an instant"
haewon points her to sit. the girl complies as she was now met with a set of plates and different types of cutlery.
"you are to be married to a man with honor and since our family are noblemen, we must act properly with grace. he expects at least you to know how to move and how to eat like a nobleman"
haewon orients her, the girl complying to everything she said. a stick was in her hand, she tapped it into her palm as she watches the girl with piercing eyes.
when the girl in front of her made a mistake, she slams the stick down, hitting her knuckles as she flinches back, her face unable to hide the pain.
"dead. that's what you'll be once you make at least one mistake. if he suspects you.. you will never see the light of day once again. hwaseong is a cruel man, you hear me?" haewon crosses her arms together, her eyes unwavering "again!"
their 'orientation' or training is what she likes to call it, lasted for a couple of days before the day of her departure came.
the chai family leads the girl outside, her get up all ready. she was dressed in one of the most expensive and fanciest clothes she has ever worn, partnered with heels that she tried her best not to stumble on. her long brown hair was pinned to a bun as a headpiece with a small net vale that covered up her eyes was placed on top.
it was her first time wearing something like this. she honestly didnt like it as she felt it was too uncomfortable. plus, it made her feel as if she really was going to her own funeral.
"do your best. remember, dont make him suspicious. if he ever does find out, tell him that the real chai haewon had become sick and bedridden, that was why she wasnt able to go. say your apologies and hope that he doesn't kill you"
she nods as she takes her descent and steps inside the carriage. she does not wave them off, only giving a quick nod before the carriage jolts and leaves the manor's premises.
she took her time looking outside the small window, she watches as the manor becomes smaller and smaller until it wasnt visible anymore. all she saw was trees, they were riding their way through the forest. general park does not live in the palace because he doesn't really like the company of people; well, except for the king and his close companions.
a question suddenly pops into her mind.
why did general park even decide to settle down and get married?
✿
omg hello! i hope you liked the first chapter! i decided to finally get this fanfic started because its seonghwa's birthday akakakaka i'll try to post as frequent as i can!
happy birthday park seonghwa!