Upon hearing that Yiseul had been caught in the servant’s quarters, the girls’ mother assigned extra guards to follow them around and make sure they stuck to their routines and didn’t leave the property. However, all Ayeong could think about was where Kyungil had gone, and how he was doing. Following Yiseul, as they walked towards their parent’s room, Ayeong looked out towards the mountains in the distance, still worrying over the boy. Sitting down on the floor in front of their parents the two girls couldn’t help but glance at each other nervously. “Yiseul. Ayeong. We called you two here to talk about something very serious.” Their mother smiled softly while their father kept his blank expression. “You two are getting closer to the age when, young ladies need a man in their lives. We won’t be around forever you know, and we expect you two to keep the family line going. Now, we won’t be too strict about exactly who you marry, however-” Yiseul looked up excitedly and interrupted suddenly, “We can choose? There’s this boy in the market and he’s really kind-” she began hopefully. The magistrate sat up and narrowed his gaze. “No peasants! And no interrupting your mother!” Closing her eyes, their mother gently cleared and fixed her posture, “Your brother will be returning soon. There will be a group of nice young men, for you to get acquainted with. They will be staying with us for a while and we would prefer you to choose from these young men to marry.”  Yiseul sighed softly as she looked away thinking about the boy from the market; while Ayeong widened her eyes, trying to keep appropriate posture. “Daehyun is coming home!? Why didn’t you tell me!?” Both their mother and father narrowed their eyes, giving Ayeong a stern look. “We are telling you, but keep in mind you need to choose a suitor soon.” Ayeong cleared and straightened her back before bowing her head, “Yes mother.”
 

Later that evening, Ayeong slipped past her guard and tip toed into Yiseul’s room. “Unnie, are you awake?” She whispered, poking the figure on the bed. Yiseul rolled over and rubbed her eyes, “Ayeong-ah? It’s late, what’s wrong?” She asked with a yawn. Ayeong sat on the edge of the bed and grinned, “I just wanted to talk. We never just talk anymore” she said with a soft pout. “Well, what did you want to talk about then?” Yiseul sat up and gently patted the spot next to her. Sitting down next to her Ayeong nudged her and nodded eagerly, “Firstly, tell me about this market boy. When do you go to the market without me!?” Yiseul let out a soft chuckle and straightened her spine, “Well, sometimes I’ll go with our hand maiden Hwasa while you’re doing lessons. I should tell you, she’s the one responsible for those pieces of fruit that randomly turn up in your room.” Yiseul winked. Ayeong laughed softly, “I thought that was magic! It was you and Hwasa all along?!” Yiseul nodded and continued, “Yes, well, anyway, sometimes at the fruit stand there is this handsome young man. He’s very kind and charming. I know mother and father would never approve because he’s a commoner, but there’s just something in his smile…..” Yiseul’s voice drifted off as she smiled to herself. Ayeong smiled softly as she listened to her sister’s words, looking at the beam of moonlight on the floor she nodded, “It sounds to me like you’re in love… Of course mother and father would never allow it.. Hey, Yiseul… Do you think, maybe, one day..I might see that Kyungil guy again?” Yiseul gazed over at her sister, her cheeks turning a soft pink, “Love? I’m not sure I’d go that far…..Kyungil? I suppose….I mean, perhaps you will-” Yiseul started but then she shook her head, “I think we should be realistic. Daehyun oppa will be bringing suitors for us, we should give them a chance.” Ayeong frowned a bit and she shook her head, “I don’t like it though. Marrying a stranger isn’t right. I don’t care if they like me, I want a guy who will sweep me off my feet and take me out of these walls! I want more than just sitting around being a magistrate’s wife. I want to go out and ride those horses we always see the guards ride, I want to eat whatever I want and not worry about what the man I’m with thinks!” Yiseul listened to her sister’s rant, half wanting to laugh, half wanting to cry. She couldn’t admit to wanting the same, she had to be the sensible sister. “Ayeong-ah….let’s face it, we could never have that life.” Looking toward her sister with disbelief Ayeong grabbed her shoulders gently shaking her, “We could though! We’re the next to carry the family name, isn’t it supposed to be our decision? If we both wanted that, surely mother and father would have to hear us out!” Yiseul sighed and patted her sister on the arm, “We can talk about this more tomorrow. There’s a lot going on. Let’s go to bed.” She frowned and laid back down, turning her back to Ayeong so she couldn’t see the tears welling in her eyes. Watching her sister’s back tremble, Ayeong closed her eyes calming down a bit before she softly hummed a sad tune.
 

The next day, Ayeong and Yiseul waited in the courtyard eagerly for the return of their brother. “Can you see them yet?” Ayeong asked eagerly as Yiseul peeked out of the gate. “Yes, I see them coming!” She exclaimed before straightening up. Before long, the courtyard was full of the house’s staff, the magistrate and his wife standing before the main gate, eager to welcome their son. A small caravan entered through the gate and a tall man with a childish face hopped off the leading horse, clearing his throat and speaking loudly “Introducing Jung Daehyun.” Daehyun exited his carriage, a soft chuckle on his lips, “Thanks for the introduction Junhong, now my whole family can know who I am.” The tall boy grinned and bowed, “Glad to be of service.” The magistrate and his wife slowly stepped forward to welcome their son but were interrupted as a blur of long hair flashed past them. Ayeong ran up to Daehyun and embraced him excitedly, “Oppa you’re home! How is the academy!? What’s the big city like!? Did you bring me gifts!? Tell me everything!” Yiseul simply walked up to Daehyun behind Ayeong giving a gentle smile, “It’s nice to see you again. I hope you’ve been eating properly?” Ayeong raised her brows and blew some hair out of her face, “Aw come on Yiseul! Daehyun is back, don’t be such a bore.” Yiseul was about to make a comeback when their father cleared his throat. “Girls, you should probably allow your brother to breathe a little. And let’s not neglect our other guests as well. If you two would please show them around while the staff takes their belongings to their rooms, it would be greatly appreciated.” Ayeong nodded and was about to follow Yiseul, until she saw one of the staff about to put one of the men’s belongings in what used to be Kyungil’s old room. Quickly running toward the staff, she shook her head standing in the doorway, “You can’t put those there! This room...it’s…um-” She looked at her parents, who were narrowing their eyes, “Ah! This room..is mine!” Yiseul let out a sigh as she watched her sister, holding back a smile. One of Daehyun’s friends walked over to the room and peered down at Ayeong, amused. “Your room is….in the servant’s quarters?” He asked with a raised eyebrow. Yiseul ran over and bowed to the man. “Please excuse my sister, she has a wonderful imagination.” Yiseul gave Ayeong a look as the man laughed and shook his head, “It’s ok, I would be more than happy to sleep somewhere else…...Your room perhaps?” He winked at a flustered Yiseul as Daehyun shouted from the distance, “Yoo Youngjae, you’d better not be flirting with my sisters!” Ayeong narrowed her eyes at the man and pointed to him, “You can’t sleep here. Not here, not her room! Those are both mine! Kyungil will come back for this room, so until then you’re not allowed in here!”

The man called Youngjae backed away slowly as another of Daehyun’s friends leaned against the wall, listening to Ayeong’s outburst. “Kyungil? That wouldn’t be Song Kyungil would it?” Ayeong spun around at the sound of the deep voice and looked at the man. “Maybe, maybe not. Why? Do you know him?” The man nodded slowly, “He’s bad news. A lady of your status should not be hanging around with the likes of him.” Ayeong widened her eyes, baffled by this man. “I think you’re a liar. The Kyungil I know was very...kind and his smile was…” She trailed off thinking of him and she couldn’t help but smile a bit, “I don’t think we’re talking about the same man. Sorry.” With that, Ayeong and Yiseul followed their parents into the house. Daehyun walked over to his friend. “Yongguk hyung, did my sister just mention Song Kyungil? You don’t think….” The man named Yongguk shook his head, “Lets hope it’s just a coincidence.”
 

“KYUNGIL!? THE SERVANT BOY?! HOW DARE YOU EVEN UTTER THAT NAME IN THIS HOUSEHOLD!” Ayeong sat on the floor, looking down as her father roared out his frustration. She bit her lip, thinking of what she could say. She didn’t want to get into an argument with her father, but she had to know, “Why….Why do you dislike him so much? What did he do? He doesn’t seem that bad. You’re being unreasonable…” Her father’s face was still red with anger and he shook his finger at her, “He’s been stealing from families like ours, ever since he showed up in this province! He lies and cheats and corrupts young innocent ladies. He’s not to be trusted!” Ayeong huffed and shook her head, “But I’m not that innocent, I already know what happens after marriage! As for Kyungil, he must have a good reason for stealing! We have enough money and food, he didn’t even steal that much. While we’re being so straightforward about people, can I add that I don’t like the men you guys chose for us?! They can’t be good either, they’re dirty minded and I’m sure they’ve slept with a lot of innocent women too!” Ayeong’s father’s face grew impossibly redder and he raised his arm, bringing his open palm down swiftly, striking Ayeong across the cheek. “I WILL NOT HAVE MY DAUGHTER USING SUCH FOUL LANGUAGE IN MY PRESENCE! YOU WILL FORGET YOU EVER HEARD THE NAME SONG KYUNGIL AND YOU WILL NEVER MENTION HIM AGAIN! YOU WILL CHOOSE A SUITOR FROM THE FINE YOUNG MEN YOUR BROTHER BROUGHT HOME, AND THAT WILL BE THAT! DO YOU UNDERSTAND!?” Ayeong stared at the ground shivering, holding back her tears she fixed her posture again and nodded. “Yes father. I understand…” Bowing, she got up and turned wiping away the tears before she left her father’s room as quickly as possible. The magistrate collapsed onto his chair, wondering what had happened to his once perfect young daughter.