“Ma’am, please! You should look after yourself! I heard there was another attempt!”
Hessrah, the head maid, frowned as she spoke to the apologetic Sunsook.
“I’m sorry. I can’t stand staying behind in a castle and just ordering people around… It’s not my kind of lifestyle.”
Hessrah seemed to be confused and Sunsook laughed.
“Did you just think, ‘How is that a noble’s way of life?’ right?”
It had been about a year since Hessrah started working with Sunsook. This woman changed her entire perspective of life. It was different. SHE was different.
-We are equal. Men and women can interchange tasks. We only differ physically, but we can mostly overcome the limitations if we try. So don’t divide it up by yourself. My job right now is to take care of my children and my people.-
Hessrah remembered what Sunsook said when she asked her to rest after giving birth to the twins.
“Yes, but it’s not only you who’s being attacked. Look at Zelda’s case!”
“Hmm… is it that bad?”
Hessrah did not back off like usual and she insisted Sunsook to stay within the doors of the castle.
“Yes, I heard the Red Moon is behind it this time. All Torians know the Red Moon. The maids are afraid that they will be the next target. The Ainos protect us, but they don’t protect our families. Like we can see from Zelda’s case.”
Sunsook sighed deeply. Then, the sound of a baby moaning came from behind her. She turned to her twins who were waking up.
“Look, they’re awake already. They won’t stop crying unless you take care of them. You should stay here for now.”
“Is it really necessary?”
“Yes! Oh, and we are checking all the food… but you should test it yourself before you eat it. Same for the food that is given to the babies too.”
“Really?”
Sunsook frowned. There had been assassination attempts in the past, but it was getting worse and worse.
“Yes, it’s getting worse every day. The count is outraged.”
“I see. I guess there’s no choice, then.”
Hessrah answered firmly, “Yes, ma’am. You should stay away from all work. But it won’t last too long.”
“Huh? Why?” Sunsook looked confused. It was not like her to predict something in the future with such certainty. Hessrah smiled.
“Lord Joonbum will not go down so easily! He will pull up his sleeves for his families, I’m sure. Those assassin groups will face hell soon. He is that kind of person.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Lord Joonbum isn’t soft-minded like the count.”
Hessrah was wise. She knew what kind of person Joonbum was already. But it was his personality that brought everyone together and kept everyone safe at the same time.
“Ma’am, I feel safe because of Lord Joonbum. I think he should become a colder and more ruthless leader to lead this city.”
Sunsook nodded.
“Thank you, Hessrah. For understanding my son.”
“No, ma’am! You should not thank me. You shouldn’t thank the people under you. You should be distant and not be too friendly with them. They will grow insolent if you keep doing that,” Hessrah advised, to which Sunsook smiled bitterly.
‘It is their way of life… I will listen to half of it.’
“Oh, and today’s dinner?”
“I heard Lord Joonbum is busy inspecting outside the city.”
“I see, then let me work my magic!”
“Whew. I can’t stop you, ma’am.”
Hessrah sighed. She stopped her from going out of the castle, but she couldn’t stop her from doing everything. Sunsook was a peculiar noble that loved to cook.
*
“He is from the Red Moon. They assassinate anyone for money and don’t care about their status. A lot of high-ranking officials have ties with them.”
“What happened to Zelda’s parents?”
“The fingers were cleanly cut so we were able to put them back on. They’re okay.”
Joonbum frowned at Jackson’s explanation.
“So, we are now hated by other nobles too?”
“It was a matter of time, sir. I think they made a move because of the mines.”
When the Khalodian began to flourish, all nobles from the Torian and neighboring kingdoms began to feel envious or fearful of the land. The city gained more and more people from countless refugees, which was considered foolish at first, but was proven wrong. Then, as the land grew stronger and larger by the day, others began fearing that the land would become a kingdom. Some neighboring nobles requested for Joonbum’s hand in marriage so that they could be directly related.
“It’s good that the Ainos people are standing on guard.”
“Yes. They are really powerful people. It will be impossible to avoid their eyes.”
Jackson was really amazed by the Ainos.
‘Yeah, their senses and instincts are superhuman.’
Joonbum did not even come close to the Ainos in terms of senses and instincts. They easily differentiated blood smells from monsters and humans and were quick to see who had bad intentions.
“So, how are we going to respond?”
“Hmm…”
Joonbum began thinking as Jackson continued with a grim face.
“You should show them who we are. Who you are, sir.”
“Yeah, we shouldn’t go easy on them. We will kill all those in suspicious areas. But no children under five.”
“Yes, sir.”
Most kids started working around ten years old. It was necessary to prevent any future dangers.
‘I don’t like it, but I have no choice. This is the way of living in this world.’
Joonbum was bitter about his choice. He picked up a cup of red tea and drank it. The bitterness filled his mouth up.
