My deep soul

Chapter 27

The marketplace was alive with color and sound. Red lanterns swayed overhead, and the laughter of children mixed with the music of flutes and drums as the citizens of Silla gathered for the Hwarang festival. Jinyoen walked slowly among them, her long sleeves brushing against her sides as she admired the stalls and the joyful faces. For once, the weight on her heart felt lighter.

She adjusted the flower Jidiwi had tucked into her hair earlier, smiling faintly at the memory of his words.

As she turned a corner near the performance tents, she bumped into a familiar figure.

“Ah! Jinyoen!” Yeo Wool’s warm smile lit up his face. “How wonderful to see you here.” Before she could even reply, he caught her wrist. “Come, come with me. We need your help.”

“Wait—” Jinyoen laughed in surprise as Yeo Wool pulled her straight into the Hwarang tent.

Once inside, Yeo Wool lifted his voice proudly, “Look whom I brought here!”

At his words, every pair of eyes turned toward her. Sunwoo and Jidiwi shot up from their seats almost in unison, surprise flashing across their faces. Jidiwi’s eyes softened for a brief instant at the sight of her, but when he noticed the others staring too, something dark flickered beneath his smile.

Jinyoen tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, smiling innocently. “Does anyone need a hand?”

“Jin!” Hansung’s cheerful voice rang out. He raised his hand, holding a belt in a tangled mess. “I need your help! I can’t tie this properly.”

Jinyoen’s lips curved into a gentle smile as she stepped toward him. “Of course. Come here, Hansung.”

As she knelt slightly to help him adjust the knot, Jidiwi’s expression hardened. His jaw clenched, his chest tightening with jealousy. 'Why him? Why does she let him call her Jin? Why does she rush to his side so easily… not mine?' His gaze darkened further as Hansung grinned brightly under her touch. 'How dare he…'

Unable to stand the sight, Jidiwi pushed himself from his seat, glaring briefly at Hansung before storming out of the tent.

Jinyoen, unaware of his storm within, later found herself tending to another matter. Inside the quieter corner of the tent, she held Jang Hyun’s hand, carefully applying medicine to a fresh cut across his palm. Her hands were steady, her expression focused, yet her voice carried kindness.

“I’m sure you will do great tonight,” she reassured softly, tying the cloth gently around his wound. “You all practiced well.”

Jang Hyun offered her a small smile. “It will go well. Everyone worked hard for this.”

Just then, Hansung burst into the tent, his face pale and anxious.

“What’s wrong, Hansung?” Jinyoen asked immediately, concern lacing her voice.

“They’re missing!” he blurted out. “Banryu and Jidiwi—they’re nowhere to be found. If we don’t find them, we’ll fail tonight.”

Jinyoen froze, horror washing over her. “What?”

Without another word, she lifted her skirts and hurried outside, ignoring the throbbing ache in her ankle from earlier. She searched frantically among the tents, calling Jidiwi’s name softly under her breath.

Then, fate betrayed her. Her foot caught on the corner of a collapsed tent rope, sending her sprawling to the ground.

“A-ah!” She gasped as pain shot through her leg. She tried to rise, but her ankle gave way beneath her, red and swollen. “It’s cracked…” she whispered, wincing as tears of pain pricked her eyes.