Areum froze the moment she saw three tall, shadowy figures clad in black appear at the mouth of the valley. Ji Seong instinctively stepped in front of her, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword at his waist.
"Don't move," Ji Seong whispered without looking back. His voice was calm, but his tone made Areum's heart pound violently.
The shadows advanced slowly, weapons drawn. No words. Only the whisper of the wind accompanied them — and that alone was enough to reveal their deadly intent.
Suddenly, one of them lunged. The sword whistled as it cut through the air. Ji Seong met the attack with incredible agility. The fight had begun.
Areum watched in horror. She knew Ji Seong was skilled, but three against one was far from a fair fight. She looked around — tree roots, stones, anything that could serve as a weapon or distraction.
The clash of steel rang out. One of the masked attackers managed to slash Ji Seong's shoulder. Blood began to seep through his clothes. He staggered slightly but didn't fall.
Areum grabbed a thick branch and swung it at an attacker approaching her. It wasn't strong enough to take him down, but it bought them a moment. Ji Seong kicked the man back with force.
"We can't stay here," Areum panted. "We're trapped!"
Suddenly, an arrow whizzed through the air from the trees — striking one of the masked men straight in the chest. He collapsed instantly. The remaining two looked toward the direction of the shot — and from the mist emerged a woman in a deep blue robe.
"Follow me if you want to live!" she shouted, motioning to a narrow path.
Areum didn't hesitate. She helped the weakened Ji Seong to his feet and followed the woman down a hidden stone corridor — a secret tunnel leading underground.
In a Silent Forest Cabin
Inside a quiet wooden hut on the forest's edge, Areum pressed herbal leaves — shown by the robed woman — against Ji Seong's wound.
"Who are you really?" Areum asked between breaths.
The woman gave a faint smile. "Someone who once owed a debt to Seol Hwa… and perhaps now, to you."
Areum fell silent. That name — Seol Hwa — once again entangled her thoughts. A name that was becoming more significant with each passing moment. Who was Seol Hwa truly, in relation to her?
"She wasn't just a pretender," the woman continued. "Seol Hwa was the bearer of royal blood — nearly chosen to lead this nation. But history rejected her. There were those who feared her bloodline."
Areum gripped the blood-soaked cloth covering Ji Seong's wound. "And now they want that history buried again?"
"More than that. They want to make sure you don't live long enough to bring it back," the woman replied meaningfully.
Areum sat in thought for a long time that night. The small campfire crackled softly, bearing witness to the turmoil within her. Should she return to the palace and reveal the truth? Or stay hidden until the right moment?
"Follow your heart, Areum," Ji Seong said softly, even as pain gripped him. "But never let anyone else write your destiny for you."
At the Palace
Lord Baek stood before a large window. The night breeze rustled his neatly tied white hair. A spy knelt behind him.
"Areum is still alive?" Lord Baek asked without turning.
"Yes, my lord. But we lost her trail after the valley."
Lord Baek extended his hand. A guard placed a scroll into his palm. He opened it and read. A faint smile curved his lips.
"If she wants to play in the shadows, we'll bring the fire that burns."
He stamped his seal at the bottom of the scroll — an official decree declaring Areum a traitor to the kingdom.
END OF CHAPTER 33