When The Cherry Blossom Fades

Just a premonition

"Always expect the unexpected."

It rained heavily despite being in the middle of summer, but strangely enough, Han Aeng felt a sense of peace as the storm raged outside. A delicate smile graced her lips as she enjoyed the raindrops rolling off her hand—cold yet warm, hard and soft all at once.

Ever since waking up from her mini coma a week ago, Han Aeng's father had sternly forbidden her from leaving the house. The servants dutifully obeyed, keeping a close watch on her every move. In a sense, she was under house arrest and full surveillance at all times with her nanny clinging to her.

Nanny Na was not just a caretaker; she was a pillar, confidante, a source of comfort, and a steady guiding presence in Han Aeng's tumultuous world. Her unwavering loyalty and love for Han Aeng made her an irreplaceable figure in her life, like a steadfast flower that blooms amidst the harshest storms.

Truly it was Nanny Na's inner radiance that truly captivated those who had the privilege of knowing her. Her gentle and nurturing nature brought comfort to those around her, and her unwavering loyalty and dedication to Han Aeng were evident in every action and word.

The wear of a life lived etched on her face. Wrinkles gracefully adorned her countenance, adding character and depth to her features. Her eyes, soft yet profound, held a depth of wisdom that came from a life filled with challenges and triumphs. They sparkled with a mix of resilience and tenderness, reflecting the inner strength she had cultivated over the years.

"No one could have expected such sudden rain in the middle of summer, My Lady. Especially after such a dry winter," Nanny Na remarked, sitting beside her, embroidering a little sparrow on her handkerchief as she kept Han Aeng company.

"But that's precisely where they went wrong," Han Aeng replied with a mischievous grin. "When things are going perfectly without any problems, that's when you should be most worried. It's when you least expect something to go wrong that it often does."

"Is something troubling you, My Lady?" Nanny Na inquired, her head still bent over her embroidery. Han Aeng had been speaking in riddles lately, so Nanny Na had learned not to pay too much attention, but that didn't mean she didn't care.

Han Aeng didn't respond immediately but rather observed how the abrupt change in weather left the servants in a panic, running around in a haste to cover and bring in the food they had left to sun dry. "I'm just thinking about the attack. I heard from Doctor Soo that the concentration of the poison was abnormally high- fatal even. It makes me think that maybe this person is someone who knows me very well and was exerting a personal grudge." Han Aeng gave a lopsided grin, her eyes twinkling with excitement, "Who knows, maybe the next attack will be while I'm walking in the safety of our home or the palace walls. Maybe that time it'll be fatal. "

Han Aeng paused for a moment, observing the chaos the sudden weather change brought: the servants panicking as they ran around in a haste to cover and bring in the food they had left to sundry.

"I'm just thinking about the attack. Doctor Soo mentioned that the poison concentration was abnormally high, even fatal. It makes me believe that the attacker might be someone who knows me well, someone with a personal grudge." Han Aeng's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Who knows, maybe the next attack will come while I'm walking within the safety of our home or even within the palace walls. Perhaps that time it will be fatal."

Nanny Na's eyes widened, and she dropped her embroidery onto her lap. "Aeng! Don't speak such words; they bring bad omens!"

She wasn't a huge fan of pessimistic words, more so when it came from Han Aeng and especially when it was about her life. In the sixty-five year of living, Nanny Na had experienced too much to overwrite the old saying, words have power.

Despite Nanny Na's worries, Han Aeng only lightly giggled, turning to face Nanny Na's scowling face with a cheeky grin. "Alright, alright. Nanny, you can't take a joke!"

"Tsk" Nanny Na's reprimanding was very clear despite not having uttered a word. She spared Han Aeng a glance before continuing to embroider in silence.

It was clear that Nanny Na's eyebrows, perpetually furrowed as if in a deep constant state of worry, were Han Aeng's personal contributions.

Han Aeng smiled warmly and returned her gaze to the window, watching the rain. She muttered under her breath, "I just have a premonition."

This was the first time Han Aeng had woken up after being kidnapped within her own home. Considering she had fought her kidnappers as she tried to escape, she expected them to be highly trained individuals with unwavering confidence. However, she hadn't anticipated them daring to walk around the main streets right in front of the Prime Minister's property. It served them right for getting caught.

But waking up safely in her house was the least of her worries. Kidnapping and being kidnapped was something she'd grown accustomed to. Somehow the heavens were very benevolent in keeping her alive despite her reckless nature and demanding status. What intrigued her more was the poison concentration and the location of her kidnap—details known to only a few individuals.

As she thought it through, Han Aeng tilted her head back, scrunching her nose in contemplation.

Royal Doctor Soo had stated a high concentration would have been lethal to an average person, so how did someone know to increase the concentration to ensure it had an effect on her?

Sure while many people on various occasions would have definitely seen her around Mt Keun, but how did they know the exact time she would show up? Why did they follow her into the mount instead of attacking right away: Mt Keun has only one entrance which is heavily guarded, wouldn't it be easier if they had kidnapped her before she reached the mountain?

They must have had unwavering confidence in their abilities and a well-prepared plan to remain undetected while leaving with an unconscious girl. Who was she kidding? The kidnappers had a whole merchant's cosplay going on—it was clear they were prepared.

Mt Keun... Poison... Kidnap... Merchants...

Merchants sell stuff. Stuff you can sell at Mt Keun includes wildflowers, herbs, and roots.

Aish, that old geezer! No wonder his people had been at the mount lately. He had likely hidden the necessary equipment in the forest, using his servants as an excuse. But how did they manage to bypass the security?

"Aeng-ah."

..

Thank you all so much for the love and support. You are AMAZING!!!!!!!!!

I love each and every one of you <3