SOTBS Chapter 2

“Do you truly believe so, our naive and innocent Heebi Mama?”

 

The Galmunwang’s gaze, as cold as the lingering snow on ice, slowly scanned Taeju. From her small face stained with tears of fury, hatred, and belated regret—her father’s blood now flowing in her veins—to her slender waist adorned with a golden sash, his gaze was relentless.

 

“Is it not so? If not, what use would you be to me…?”

 

Then, suddenly, Taeju realized it. The Galmunwang’s frosty gaze was fixed on her lower abdomen. Turning pale with fear, she hastily covered her belly with one hand. Yet, she could not shake off his piercing stare.

 

Could it be… he knows!

 

Realizing what his gaze signified, Taeju shook her head in terror.

 

“No, it can’t be… It mustn’t happen anymore…”

 

However, the Galmunwang was truly the incarnation of a merciless and ruthless demon.

 

“Is it not true that the deposed emperor’s seed lies within your womb?”

 

The deposed emperor’s seed.

 

The cold words reverberated in her ears, and Taeju could only shake her head in denial. As she looked at the Galmunwang, who didn’t bother hiding his icy smirk, her heart broke. It felt as if her heart were being sliced apart with a blade.

 

“I am Galmunwang. A living ghost. You know this, do you not?”

 

“Your Highness…”

 

The Galmunwang (葛文王), Yu (琟), was the eldest legitimate son of the late Crown Prince Geumso, who had died a tragic death. When his uncle Baekgo became the emperor, it was only natural for Yu to rise to the rank of prince. Since Baekgo had no heir, Yu could have been the next emperor.

 

However, Yu was adopted as the son of Baekgo’s father-in-law, Grand General Gungjun, and was granted the title of Galmunwang. Traditionally, the title of Galmunwang was given to deceased members of the royal family.

 

“Once a new ruler takes the throne, all male royal members are eradicated. Their mere existence is an impure spark waiting to ignite. What will you do, Yu? Do you seek my mercy?”

 

Young Yu begged, prostrating himself. He swore that as long as he lived, he would never covet the throne. He signed the oath written by Baekgo with his own blood.

 

He even abandoned his given name, Yu (歈) and became Yu (堆). The name, bestowed by his parents, which meant they hoped he would live joyously like a song, was trapped in the cold stone of his fate.

 

Thus, with the title of Galmunwang—a fate akin to being cooked alive—he barely survived to this day.

 

But now, that very title of Galmunwang had become shackles binding him from ascending the throne.

 

“You understand, do you not? Even if the deposed emperor is gone, it will be exceptionally difficult for me to claim the throne. That is why I need Heebi. That seed within you will establish my claim to the throne on a solid foundation.”

 

The Galmunwang’s merciless words did not stop their cruel assault.

 

This terrifying man was intent on taking even that from her. After having claimed her flesh and blood, he now sought to devour the last remnants of her being.

 

“No… no… sob… sob…”

 

In the end, Taeju collapsed to the floor, weeping. She clutched her belly with trembling hands, sobbing uncontrollably in utter terror.

 

Amid her trembling fear, a blade-like hatred began to sprout within her chest.

 

—

 

Two years ago.

 

“I assure you, this child may look dirty and shabby now, but once bathed and dressed properly, her beauty will surpass that of any courtesan in this entire brothel.”

 

Goma, clutching her daughter’s thin wrist as though it were her lifeline, boldly declared this before the head of Honghwa Pavilion, the most prestigious brothel in Gwaegok.

 

“This child’s skin is naturally clear and translucent like ivory. Despite working in the fields, her skin doesn’t tan under the sun. Moreover, her skin is so smooth and soft that even silk would pale in comparison.”

 

Taeju, standing beside her mother, who was selling her like a beast, hung her head low, trembling violently. She kept one hand over her face, trying to hide it.

 

The head of the pavilion looked indifferently at the girl, who desperately tried to conceal her face. The mother’s boastful words were nothing but noise to her ears. Yet, she remained silent, waiting. She hadn’t yet seen the girl’s face properly.

 

The child, dressed in rags that were worse than scraps, with hair tangled like thickets, was an unsightly mess—at least on the surface.

 

“She wouldn’t even need much makeup—just a touch of rouge would make her bloom like a peony. After all, I have the blood of Haeseokju in me. So, naturally, her skin is extraordinary.”

 

Haeseokju (瑎色珠) was a tiny nation on the farthest edge of the Ryung continent, surrounded by snow-covered mountains where agriculture was impossible. The people survived by hunting snow leopards and trading with neighboring countries.

 

Because they rarely saw the sun, their skin was extraordinarily pale and clear, their hair and eye colors diverse. Blue, green, and even golden eyes weren’t uncommon.

 

Their hair shone like silver snow or gleamed golden like the sun, captivating anyone who saw it. The men were robust and rugged, while the women were often delicate and stunning beauties.

 

They looked so different from the people of any nation on the Yong continent that they were rumored to be descendants of celestial beings. Especially, the women of Haesekju were so renowned for their beauty that many men coveted them. Powerful nations openly demanded tribute women, and raids to abduct them for forced marriages were frequent. There were even merchants who specialized in kidnapping and selling Haesekju women.

 

Because of this, the Haesekju people retreated deeper into the mountains, and their numbers dwindled to the point where it was rumored they had gone extinct.

 

“If you touch them, the feel is even more exquisite. Men go absolutely crazy for it.”

 

It wouldn’t be too late to chase out this foul-mouthed woman after confirming the child’s face. However, he had no intention of listening to her endless chatter any longer. He was about to gesture to his subordinate behind him when suddenly, Goma let out a shrill cry, as if having a fit.

 

“What’s with that look? You don’t believe me?”

 

What an impatient woman. The child’s mother, who had been trying hard to raise the price, grew agitated when it seemed her words were not working on the leader and began huffing.

 

“Hmph, fine. Then here, see for yourself!”

 

With that, she suddenly grabbed Taeju by the hair and yanked her head back forcefully.

 

“……”

 

However, Taeju did not scream or shed a single tear. No matter how wretched she felt, she had resolved not to cry. Instead, she bit her lips tightly. The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth, and her tightly clenched molars felt like they might shatter.

 

“Well? Isn’t she stunning? Just like me—an unparalleled beauty!”

 

Goma pushed back the bangs covering her daughter’s face with a rough hand, speaking proudly. Taeju hurriedly used her hands to cover her face. Thankfully, her face was small enough that her roughened hands from years of fieldwork could completely obscure it.

 

But it was too late. In that fleeting moment, the leader had already caught a glimpse of Taeju’s beauty.

 

“Even though I’m in this state now, back in the day, I was quite the catch. All the noble officials couldn’t escape from this girl’s skirt.”

 

Goma, who usually had a dry, irritable expression, softened as she reveled in her memories of the past.

 

“When I went to the market, crowds would gather like clouds, and the whole city would buzz. Everyone was desperate to catch a glimpse of my flower-like face. Hohoho.”

 

She suddenly burst into laughter, covering her mouth with one hand in a feigned modesty. Taeju seized the moment to bow her head low.

 

“What’s the point of mentioning the playboys who frequented the brothels, wasting their wealth? Even the thresholds of the brothels wore out from their visits.”

 

The shabby woman, with her grimy face and hands, boasted about her past beauty, contrasting starkly with her daughter’s current miserable state. A swordsman standing behind the leader couldn’t suppress a chuckle.

 

“Pfft!”

 

“How dare you laugh at me!”

 

Goma shouted furiously, her face turning red. The man ignored her, feigning indifference and refusing to respond.

 

Her face flushed with anger, Goma shrieked, “If you had seen me back then, you’d have brought all your wealth and crawled between my legs!”

 

The man openly mocked her, laughing derisively.

 

“Haha! Go take a walk through the back alleys of Saekju now. You’ll find plenty of crippled, toothless old men who couldn’t get accepted even by the lowest brothels. They’d be desperate to crawl between your legs, no doubt. I guarantee it.”

 

“What did you say?”

 

“That’s enough.”

 

Just as Goma was about to raise her voice again, the leader interrupted in a calm yet authoritative tone, silencing both of them.

 

“My apologies, Leader.”

 

The man quickly bowed to his master but continued to glare mockingly at Goma. His gaze conveyed disdain, as if looking at a beast less than human—a creature willing to sell her own child.

 

Goma, aware of the contempt in his eyes, did not lower her gaze in shame. Instead, she defiantly lifted her chin and glared back at him with unwavering determination.