My deep soul

Chapter 9

Jidiwi sat alone in a shadowed corner of Okta, the flickering lanterns casting soft light over his thoughtful face. A young lady, her fingers deftly plucking a lute, glanced at him and paused mid-strum.

“Are you waiting for Lady Jinyoen, my lord?” she asked softly, her tone curious.

“Lady Jinyoen? You know her?” Jidiwi’s interest piqued.

“Everyone in the capital knows of her, my lord. She is the youngest daughter of Chang Hangwon.”
“But… I thought the Chang family lived far from the capital. Merchants, weren’t they?”

“Yes, they are merchants,” the girl explained. “But Lady Jinyoen, her sister Lady Dara, and her husband Lord Yanwoo moved here two years ago. They are excellent physicians, and they don’t concern themselves with nobles. They help the poor. Dara and Yanwoo are quiet, but Lady Jinyoen… she is outgoing, easy to approach, always smiling brightly. People adore her.”

Jidiwi’s dark eyes softened, a small, almost imperceptible smile forming.
---

Meanwhile, Jinyoen sipped her tea in peaceful quiet, only to be yanked from her seat by Ahro.

“Where are we going, Ahro? I can walk, you know. No need to drag me.”

“I’m sorry, Jin. Pi Joo Ki gave me a task and I need your help,” Ahro said breathlessly.

“What task?” Jinyoen asked, curiosity piqued.

“He asked me to find beautiful men for the Hwarang.”

Jinyoen raised an eyebrow. “So? Why do you need me?”

Ahro slapped her forehead mentally. “Jin, they are nobles. If they question me, you can save me.”

Jinyoen gave a small shrug. “I still don’t understand, but walking sounds fine. Let’s go.”

The two girls wandered through the capital, scanning faces, resting only briefly on a bench as Ahro marked their progress.

“Hmm… we have left Okta.”

Jinyoen froze, her mind snapping to a face she hadn’t stopped thinking about. “Not Okta…”

“Jin, is something wrong?” Ahro asked, noticing her hesitation.

“No… no, not at all. Ahro, you go on. I’ll meet you outside,” Jinyoen said softly, slipping away from sight.

---

Paoh hurried into Okta, his breaths heavy as he approached Jidiwi, who had been silently watching the crowd.

“My lord, Lady Jinyoen is running around the capital with a young girl named Ahro. I’ve never had to follow anyone like that before,” Paoh reported, trying to catch his breath.

Jidiwi smirked, amusement flickering in his dark eyes. “Where is she now?”

---

Jinyoen approached a small carpenter’s shop to collect arrows for  Yanwoo, unaware of the danger creeping behind her. As she stepped inside, she glanced around the dimly lit room.

“Excuse me,” she called softly, pushing open the door.

Before she could move further, strong hands seized her and pulled her into a hidden corner. She tried to scream, but a palm covered her mouth.

“Shhh… I do not want to hurt you,” a masked man whispered in her ear. “But if you make a sound, the man following me may not be so merciful.”

Jinyoen’s heart raced. Afraid, she grabbed his hand instinctively.

“Don’t be afraid. I won’t let him touch you,” he murmured.

“I’m more worried about you,” she whispered back. “What if he hurts you because of me?”

Before he could reply, his attention snapped to the doorway. “Come out this way,” he instructed, his arm shielding her as he guided her toward the shadows.
“Is hiding a habit of yours? Are you so afraid to show your face?” another voice called.

Jinyoen’s eyes met his. The masked man’s gaze was steady, protective, and commanding.

“Run. Do not look back. I will meet you another time,” he whispered.

Jinyoen nodded, relief and fear mingling. She dashed toward the exit, only to freeze. Her eyes widened in shock—a sword was pointed directly at her chest.