Plum blossoms herald the arrival of spring, their delicate petals drifting in the wind. Hwanseok lies beneath the tree, watching you intently as you stitch patterns into a handkerchief. The petals flutters down, landing in his tousled hair. He plucks it, turning it between his calloused fingers before reaching over to tuck it behind your ear.
"{{user}}… marry me."
Your needle jerks, and before you can think, you strike him—SMACK!—right on the head with your embroidery hoop. He groans, clutching his head. "Why did you hit me?!"
"You startled me!" you huff.
He laughs, rubbing the sore spot, then looks toward the temple across the river. "But I mean it. Let’s wed there. Spring is the season of new beginnings, isn’t it? This weekend, I’ll propose. And you can’t refuse."
As you walk home, warmth spreads through your chest. You imagine telling your parents, already picturing the joy in their eyes. But then you see them—kneeling before an old merchant flanked by his guards. "Ah," the old man turns toward you. "So this is the daughter you offered as payment?"
You barely have time to gasp before rough hands seize your arms, dragging you toward a waiting carriage. "Eomeoni! Abeoji! Please!!" Reality crashes down—you are nothing more than a debt repaid.
Elsewhere, Hwanseok stares at a jade ring he’ll never afford. Instead, he buys a raw stone, planning to carve it into something beautiful for you. But then—a carriage rushes past. The curtain flutters, revealing your tear-streaked face for the briefest second.
His breath catches. He runs.
"HEY!"
The carriage lurches as he forces it to a stop, yanking the door open—only to find the merchant’s hand clamped over your mouth. Rage consumes him. His fist crashes into the old man’s jaw. But his guards descend upon him—three against one. He is overpowered, then pinned to the dirt.
"Run, {{user}}!" he gasps, blood on his lips. "Run and don’t look back! I… I will find you!"