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Clawing her way back into the graces of society had been nothing short of a brutal, uphill battle for Viscountess Choi Taeyeon. Once the respected wife of the Duke of Namwon, her divorce, unprecedented and scandalous in the eyes of the elite, had left her socially exiled. Invitations to soirées vanished. Conversations at salons fell to a hush at her approach. She was no longer seen as a woman of noble resilience but as a cautionary tale whispered behind lacquered fans.

And yet, she endured. She did not cower behind the safety of closed curtains. She bore every cruel headline, every venom-laced whisper printed in the gossip sheets, with poise and unshakable dignity. She refused to be defined by the end of her marriage. With a spine forged from fire, she pursued the life she had chosen, not the one imposed upon her by birthright or marital alliance.

Her resolve was met not with admiration but with relentless resistance. When she opened her boutique in the heart of Hanhoe Square, a feat funded entirely through her own savings and discreet but shrewd investments, the city of Hanseong buzzed with venomous speculation. Whispers spread like wildfire, accusing her of acquiring the property not through legitimate means, but through the purse strings of yet another powerful yangban lord, this time as his mistress.

Within weeks of the rumors reaching a fever pitch, the source was quietly unveiled. A baroness from a once-prominent yangban lineage, now fading into irrelevance, was exposed. Her family's already waning influence collapsed almost overnight. Officially, she was stripped of her title and imprisoned under charges of defamation, fraud, and various malicious deeds. Whether the allegations were true or merely convenient fabrications crafted for retribution, no one dared to investigate too closely.

In Hanseong, justice was often swift, but rarely pure.

A few days into her imprisonment, the former baroness was found lying motionless on the floor of her jail cell. Cold. Lifeless.

The official report claimed it was suicide. A tragic end brought about by shame and desperation. Traces of poison were discovered in her system, and the matter was quickly closed. There was no inquest, no questions raised.

It was a message, veiled as coincidence.

The second incident occurred at a highly anticipated annual Spring Gala, an opulent affair known for its fashion, flowers, and fragile alliances. It marked the first time the Viscountess appeared at such a gathering since her divorce, dressed in scarlet silk and crowned with the quiet confidence of someone who had nothing left to prove. As she approached a group of women she had once known, women who used to call her friend, they turned their backs in a calculated, cutting gesture. Not a word was spoken. Not a single glance was spared and Taeyeon was utterly and publicly humiliated.

But Hanseong has a long memory, and so does the Viscountess.

In the weeks that followed, each of those ladies began to unravel in their own distinct, private way. One faced a sudden financial audit. Another found herself mysteriously faced with incriminating charges. A third had her daughter's marriage arrangement fall through with no explanation offered.

Ever since those incidents, the rumors surrounding Viscountess faded into silence. In their place, a more salacious and unsettling whisper took root across drawing rooms and tea parlors. It was no longer about her divorce or supposed entanglements, but about the quiet misfortunes that seemed to befall those who crossed her. No one spoke of it openly, of course, but the message lingered like perfume in a closed room. To oppose her was to invite ruin. To humiliate her was to summon some unseen reckoning.

To the world, it may have seemed like karma finally finding its target. But to Viscountess Choi Taeyeon, karma was not some abstract force. It had a face, a voice, and a presence. Her protector did not strike with thunder or steel. He arrived with sweet smiles, saccharine words of comfort, and the calm precision of someone who moved through the world unseen yet all-knowing.

Whatever power shielded her, it did so quietly. An invisible thread tugged here, a whispered name dropped there, a door opened just when it needed to be. It allowed her to stand tall when others sought to bring her to her knees, to shine even when the world conspired to cast her into shadow.

And so she did. With her head held high and her name no longer on the tongues of the cruel, Viscountess Choi Taeyeon walked through Hanseong not as a woman broken by scandal, but as one who had been remade—untouchable, unshakable, and perhaps even a little feared.

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Name: Choi Taeyeon ( 최 태연 )

Choi ( 최 often translated as "mountain" or "pinnacle")

Taeyeon ( Tae (태), which means "great", and Yeon (연), which means "bright" or "graceful" )

DOB: March 1st, 1829 (42)

Zodiac: Pisces

Title: Viscountess of Ansan / Duchess of Namwon

House: Choi, House of the White Stag

Former Occupation: Chief Royal Historian

Current Occupation: Socialite, "금실" (geum-sil)'s Owner

Current Residence: Choi Estate, Hanseong

Sexuality: Heterosexual

Relationship : Divorced/unavailable

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Always the fool with the slowest heart.

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Givin' you all you want and more
Givin' you every piece of me
I don't want love I can't afford
I just want you to love for free

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Don't you think I loved you too much to think I deserve nothing?

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MBTI: ISTJ [the logistician]

Moral Alignment: Chaotic Neutral

Enneagram type: 1,4 and 6

[ + strengths ] Resourceful, Detail-oriented, Perfectionist, Patient, Empathetic, Agreeable, Kind

[ - weaknesses ] Pessimistic, Pragmatic, Insecured, Self Depreciative, Naive, Two-faced

Likes: Spring and Autumn, Tending to blooms, Calligraphy, Illustrating on book covers, embroidery, her daughter, Social events, Social season, Tea, Western waltz and music, reading and writing progressive texts, deep and meaningful conversations

Dislikes: Loneliness, her feelings, when her divorce is brought up, Suitors, the idea of remarriage, soju or anything alcoholic, surface level connections, heavy jewelry, heavy rain, gossiping, anything that inconveniences her daughter, inequality, misogynists

Habits:

biting lower lip when in deep thought

biting her nails when alone

sighing audibly in contemplation or when upset/miffed.

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♦ Daughter/The jewel of her life

♦ Strained

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Choi Taeyeon is born

The only daughter of the second Marquess of the Yangban Chois, Taeyeon was born beneath the first blooms of spring, yet her arrival marked the end of the Marchioness’s hopes for more children. Due to complications during childbirth, her mother was left unable to conceive again, making Taeyeon the sole heir of their lineage. With no son to inherit her father’s title, she was destined from an early age to secure the family’s standing through marriage to someone of higher status.

"Aim for the stars, my dear." Her mother has always told her.

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Love Languages:

Giving: quality time, gift giving

Receiving: gift giving, words of affirmation

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Long raven black hair, Usually braided with a singular golden binyeo (Jojim-meori) .

Lean body, slightly curvy type, 5'4 in stature.

Kind brown eyes.

Pale skinned, not a single birthmark or scar on her body. A mole on her right collar bone and on her right wrist.

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During the Viscountess' younger years she preferred wearing lighter, softer hues such as periwinkles and soft lilacs.

Upon maturing, after debut her palette changes into deep blues, emerald greens and dark greys

Scent: rose and lilacs alternating with powdery musk. Clean scent with a hint of flora.

Likes matching her norigaes with her hanboks, wears predominantly gold jewelry. Is never seen without her jade ring with a lotus motif. Clean simple jewelry that does not take anything away from her overall appearance, only accentuates it. She used to wear more ornate jewelry when she was married. Is always seen with an ornate emerald green fan wherever she goes.

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Age 10

Beneath the pristine facade of the Choi family, corruption festers. Taeyeon is only ten when an investigation is launched into her father, the Vice Minister of Taxation, for his alleged involvement in an embezzlement scheme within the Ministry of Finance. The scandal throws their household into turmoil as they scramble to protect the reputation they have carefully upheld for years. Yet, despite the scrutiny, no evidence ties her father to the crime, and the case is eventually closed. Still, whispers persist among the nobility—suggesting that the Chois’ corruption runs far deeper than mere embezzlement.

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↳ At present, the Viscountess devotes herself entirely to preparing her beloved daughter for the upcoming social season, ensuring that the young lady is equipped with every advantage necessary to secure favorable connections. With unwavering determination, she navigates the intricate web of noble society, forging alliances and fostering relationships, all while gracefully ignoring the whispers that follow her. Though divorced, Taeyeon refuses to let such a label define her, skillfully sidestepping any discussion of the matter with practiced ease.

Despite the many scandals that have marred her past, she carries herself with an unshakable poise, her chin held high as if daring society to challenge her place among them. She does not possess a sharp tongue, nor does she seek to engage in open conflict, but she wields her kindness like the finest blade—subtle yet devastatingly effective. With an artful mastery of passive-aggressive charm, she leaves gossiping matrons flustered and speechless, disarming them with honeyed words that conceal barbed intent. In a world where reputation is currency, Taeyeon proves that sometimes, the softest touch can leave the deepest mark.

Beyond the polished veneer of a devoted mother and consummate socialite, Taeyeon harbors secrets far more damning than the scandals that have already plagued her name. She wears her charm like armor, effortlessly maneuvering through society’s expectations, yet beneath the surface lies a carefully concealed past—one that, if ever brought to light, would not only shatter what remains of her already tarnished reputation but also drag her daughter’s future into ruin.

Every calculated step she takes, every word she utters with deliberate grace, is an effort to maintain the delicate balance she has so painstakingly preserved. The noble circles may whisper about her past, but they know only fragments—harmless pieces of gossip compared to the devastating truths she keeps locked away.

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Age 18

After years of eluding the Bureau of Investigation, the Choi family once again finds itself under scrutiny—only this time, the authorities have uncovered damning evidence. By now, Taeyeon is training as a Royal Historian within the palace, her once-unblemished reputation now tainted by the scandal that shadows her name. It is the first stain upon her adult life, a blow she never anticipated. Her mother, ever mindful of appearances, urges her to abandon such an occupation, insisting that she should instead focus on her approaching debut into society.

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Name of Establishment: Geum-Sil (Gold Threads)

Type of Establishment: Silk fabric shop and banned books distributor

Location: Hanhoe Square

Operating Hours: 10 am to 8pm from Mondays to Saturdays

Description: A lavish two-story boutique specializing in the finest local and imported silk, reserved exclusively for Joseon’s elite. The first floor serves as an opulent showroom, displaying exquisite fabrics and intricate embroideries, alongside a directory of esteemed modistes. In-house consultants curate an unparalleled shopping experience, seamlessly pairing wealthy patrons with the finest modistes and jewelers.

However, the true allure lies upstairs, where only the most exclusive clientele are granted entry. Beyond the silk and luxury, this hidden sanctuary offers access to rare, forbidden books and the Viscountess’ groundbreaking writings on feminism and the resilience of divorced women in Joseon—a quiet rebellion woven between the folds of elegance and defiance. The exclusive patrons are often women seeking counsel on their marriages—those contemplating escape, those yearning for independence, and those simply curious about what it means to live alone. Within the sanctuary of the upper floor, they find more than just rare books; they find quiet conversations, unspoken solidarity, and the wisdom of those who have dared to carve their own paths.

Current owner: Viscountess Choi Taeyeon

Employees: NPC general and assistant managers, 4 rotating consultants and 4 shop keeps

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from the rich salt mines of ansan, the yangban family of choi’s has governed in succeeding blood lines; a long history of family that has solely governed over the land. they are old blood running through the first families that have served and fought alongside and for the royal family. they have long standing alliances with families that support the traditional point of view of the olden days. however, as of recent, the winds of change has reached the choi family as the eldest son of the late duke choi has succeeded to his place. vowing to end the corrupt ways of his family, the headstrong new duke has come down to bring forth change.

⤿ members: dowager duchess choi , choi siwoo, Choi Siyeon.--Choi Taeyeon

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Age 21

Despite the scandals that taint her family’s name, Taeyeon makes her debut into society. Yet, by the night of her Debut Gala, the Chois teeter on the brink of ruin—her father imprisoned, their influence crumbling. With her options dwindling, she finds herself shunned; no one wishes to associate with a fallen woman. And yet, as the Diamond of the Season, she still garners interest.

Salvation comes in the form of an unexpected proposal from the future Duke of Namwon. Her family, desperate to salvage what remains of their standing, hastily agrees to the match. The marriage is swift, prompting whispers among the ton that the then-Marquess of Namwon chose her not for love, but out of necessity—to secure his inheritance. Regardless of the rumors, the union spares Taeyeon from sharing her father’s disgrace. She leaves for Namwon with her mother, her fate sealed, while her father meets his end—executed for embezzlement.

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Age 22, Han Miyeon's birth

Just a year into their arranged marriage, Taeyeon gives birth to a daughter—much to her in-laws’ disappointment and her husband's apparent indifference. Whispers spread quickly; some claim she conceived too soon for a marriage of convenience, while others speculate the child isn’t the Duke’s at all.

Balancing her responsibilities as both Duchess and mother, Taeyeon temporarily steps away from her royal historian duties at the palace to focus on her new role. But her absence is brief. Barely a year after giving birth, she returns to her work, further displeasing her in-laws, who already scorn her for failing to produce a male heir.

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Age 30

The year Choi Taeyeon is promoted to Chief Royal Historian, she also makes another bold decision—she divorces her husband. Their marriage had long crumbled, and she had endured enough. For eleven years, she suffered the mistreatment of her in-laws, blamed for failing to conceive an heir, while her husband remained indifferent. Finally, she takes matters into her own hands, broaching the subject of divorce, only for him to let her go without a fight.

That same year, with her newfound freedom, she returns to Ansan—with her daughter by her side.

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Age 35

Five years after her divorce, the Viscountess finds little joy in her position at the palace and finally chooses to resign. Despite the stigma of divorce, she gradually reintegrates into high society, carrying herself with unwavering confidence. With her chin held high, she moves through the elite circles once more, defying expectations and proving that a woman's life does not end with a failed marriage. At first, she is met with disdain—whispers of shamelessness follow her as she attends every prestigious gala and event, unaccompanied by a husband, with only her daughter by her side. Yet, the rumors do not deter her.

Winning over the ton with her charm and charisma, the Viscountess rises from the ashes of her so-called shameful divorce, transforming herself into one of Hanseong’s most celebrated socialites. Ever present at opulent gatherings, she skillfully navigates the elite circles, turning her renewed prominence into an opportunity. With this newfound influence, she establishes Gold Threads—an exclusive silk boutique catering to debutantes and those with a taste for timeless elegance. Two years into the business, she discreetly expands her venture, adding a secret lounge upstairs—one that houses a collection of banned books, accessible only to those who know where to look.

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1868-1871

At present, Taeyeon is wholly devoted to preparing her daughter for her upcoming social debut, determined to secure her the perfect match on the first attempt. She spares no effort or expense, ensuring every detail is meticulously arranged so that her daughter steps into society with grace and promise. More than anything, she hopes her daughter will marry for love—a luxury she was never able to afford for herself. Yet, as she carefully guides her daughter toward a better future, she cannot help but recognize the bitter irony: she is urging her to make choices she was never able to make for herself.

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♦ A chapter, already closed

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[ 1859, Autumn ]

After eleven years of marriage and failing to produce a male heir for the Duke of Namwon, the former Duchess, Han Taeyeon, was allegedly quietly cast aside. She returned to Ansan, reclaiming her title as Viscountess and taking her daughter, Han Miyeon, with her. Society whispered about the swift and unceremonious nature of the divorce, but many noted that the Viscountess seemed remarkably unaffected by it.

Speculation ran rampant. Some claimed it was due to the relentless mistreatment she endured at the hands of her in-laws—who saw her as a failure for bearing only a daughter. Others spoke in hushed tones of an old curse, one that had plagued her lineage. It was said that Taeyeon's birth had rendered her own mother barren, and now history had repeated itself. Whether mere superstition or a cruel twist of fate, the rumors only fueled the mystery surrounding the Viscountess’s quiet resilience.

Some speculate that the marriage was nothing more than a formality, a union of convenience that never had the chance to blossom into something more. The only thing that ever truly flourished within the grand estate were the azaleas—the emblem of the Han family—blooming year after year, untouched by the coldness that lingered between husband and wife.

If love had ever been planted between the Duke and the former Duchess, it withered before it could take root. There was no bloom period, no season of tenderness or warmth. Only duty, expectation, and the quiet acceptance of a fate neither had chosen but both had endured.

Though a select few whispered in hushed tones, suggesting that the former Duchess had sought solace in the arms of another, the rumors painted a far more complicated picture. It was said that the Duke had never offered her the love or affection she longed for, leaving her heart to wander elsewhere in search of warmth.

They say the weight of her actions and the "shame" that followed drove her back to Ansan, where even her own family refused to acknowledge her, leaving her no choice but to seek refuge elsewhere. With her daughter in tow, she made her way to Hanseong, to the estate of the Choi family, where she sought shelter from the fallout of her divorce. The year that followed marked an unexpected turn in her life—despite the scandal, she was appointed as Chief Royal Historian. Yet, the position, once seen as an honor, failed to spark any real passion within her.

The work at the palace, once filled with promise and prestige, now felt like an empty task, a reminder of her broken marriage. Her heart, burdened by the past, found little joy in the corridors of power, and her mind wandered more often than it focused, as if searching for something she had long since lost. But was it the loss of her marriage she mourned? Or something else entirely?

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♦ A love most elusive

♦ ???

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♦ Business affiliate/Collaborator

♦ Positive

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♦ Regular Geum-Sil patron/Friend

♦ Positive

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♦ Regular Geum-sil Patron/Friend

♦ Positive

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♦ Mentee/Friend

♦ Positive

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♦ Miyeon's governess

♦ Civil to positive

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♦ Business Partner

♦ Positive

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Pt. I

(ɪ ᴄᴀʀᴠᴇᴅ ᴍʏ ɴᴀᴍᴇ ɪɴᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʀɪʙᴄᴀɢᴇ.)

Choi Taeyeon and Han Minwoo's marriage was not born of timeless love. There were no eloquent vows exchanged, no promises steeped in deep emotion. Instead, their union unfolded in haste, a rushed ceremony that masqueraded as a display of overwhelming eagerness to marry. They bypassed the careful wedding preparations that typically span months, choosing instead a quick, impromptu event.

It was a well-known fact throughout Joseon that the Hans had rescued the Chois from ruin, securing their salvation in exchange for a promise: that their legacy, now entrusted to the hands of the newly appointed Duke Han Minwoo, would continue to thrive.

Taeyeon remembers the first time they met—a man two years her senior, his gaze cutting through her with an almost unfathomable coldness. He had still been a Marquess then, a name she had heard long before their meeting, yet seeing him in person left her questioning why a man like him would need an arranged marriage at all.

Han Minwoo is handsome, accomplished, and intelligent as well as popular amongst his peers despite his aversion to crowds. He spoke little and met her gaze even less, making her uncertain if he would even consider her family’s proposal. But in the end, there was no choice. Her family estate teetered on the brink of confiscation, her father—the former Vice Minister of Finance—imprisoned and awaiting execution for a decade of embezzlement.

She smiled—the very smile her mother always praised her for, the same one that had, perhaps, caught the Queen’s attention and earned her the title of Diamond of the Season at her debut gala. The kind that could soften even men like Han Minwoo.

He agreed to marry her after that single meeting.

Taeyeon had no illusions about it. She was certain it was nothing more than duty.

"It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Grace."

"And mine to you, my lady."

Men like him were bound by duty—first sons, only children, just as she was. And women like Choi Taeyeon never had the luxury of choices.

But oh, she did. Her affections, though insignificant in the grand scheme of her family’s salvation, were already claimed. They belonged elsewhere, to a man who had no obligation to her name, no ties to her legacy. And that, she knew, made all the difference.

Before Minwoo could even have hoped to warm up to her, Taeyeon had already carved out her heart and offered it to Baek San—a man who felt like the liberation she so desperately craved, a man who made her believe, if only for a fleeting moment, that she had a choice. He was the escape from the chains that bound her to her blood, the one who gave her the illusion of freedom she so desperately craved.

(ʏᴏᴜ ꜱᴀɪᴅ, ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ꜰʀᴇᴛ ʟᴏᴠᴇ, ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴅᴀʏ ɪ'ʟʟ ʙᴇ ᴍʏ ᴏᴡɴ ᴍᴀɴ, ɪ'ʟʟ ʙᴇ ꜰʀᴇᴇ. ᴏʜ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴅᴀʀʟɪɴɢ, ᴅɪᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ᴍᴇᴀɴ ᴅᴀʀʟɪɴɢ, ᴅɪᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ᴍᴇᴀɴ ꜰʀᴇᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴍᴇ?)

Their marriage was exactly what Taeyeon had expected from a union of convenience.

The Han estate was beautiful—grand, even—befitting the legacy she was now expected to uphold. And so, her first months were spent tirelessly learning every duty required of a Duchess. At twenty-one, it was no easy feat, especially with no one to guide her.

Her shortcomings were pointed out to her with little tact, spoken plainly and without restraint. She was not good enough. Had it not been for the close ties between their families and the urgency of the situation, the Duke would have wed a different bride—someone more suitable, more capable, more worthy of the title she now bore.

At first, it did not bother Taeyeon. She convinced herself that if she studied the estate’s ledgers more diligently, if she familiarized herself with every corner of Namwon, if she molded herself into the perfect wife—a woman who voiced fewer opinions, who agreed with his family more—then perhaps, in time, she would earn their approval. Perhaps, one day, they would see her as something more than an unfortunate necessity.

-

"Your grace, I know you must hate me.. must hate this arrangement. But I have a duty to you and your clan. So please at least endure this with me."

She reached out—delicate, hesitant fingers curling around her husband’s wrist, a quiet plea to keep him from turning away as he always did. How ironic it was, she thought, to feel so achingly alone when he lay beside her each night. She had memorized the shape of his back, the stillness of his body, how he never so much as shifted in his sleep.

But this time, Han Minwoo did not turn away.

This time, he looked at her.

And for the first time, it felt as if he truly saw her.

Perhaps it was loneliness that made her lean in, drawn by the silent pull of his icy gaze. Or perhaps it was something deeper, something more desperate—an unspoken yearning neither of them dared to name.

"Call me by my name from now on... not 'your grace.' I am your husband, am I not?"

He had said, an unreadable expression on his visage as he regarded her with something akin to warmth when he embraced her at last.

It was the first time Taeyeon had ever begged for anything in her life. Yet, desperation laced her tone as she laid her plight bare before a man whose walls were just as high as those of the gilded cage she found herself trapped in.

Time was running out.

It would be the first and last time Han Taeyeon begged.

(ʏᴏᴜ ᴘʀᴏᴍɪꜱᴇᴅ ʜᴏᴍᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴋɪɴᴅ ɪ'ᴅ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴋɴᴏᴡɴ,
ʙᴜᴛ ʜᴇʀᴇ ᴡᴇ ᴀʀᴇ, ꜱᴋɪɴ ᴀɴᴅ ꜰʟᴇꜱʜ ᴀɴᴅ ʙᴇᴀᴛɪɴɢ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛꜱ, ᴀɴᴅ ɪ'ᴍ ᴡᴏɴᴅᴇʀɪɴɢ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴇʟʟ ɪ'ᴍ ᴅᴏɪɴɢ ᴡʀᴏɴɢ?)

Han Miyeon’s birth was, perhaps, the happiest moment of Taeyeon’s life. A darling daughter with an innocent smile, untouched by the weight of duty and expectation. The Duchess made a silent promise then—to protect her, to shield her from the fate she herself had been unable to escape.

This one would not be bound by endless expectations.

This one would not be trapped in a marriage that left her feeling alone.

This one would choose—and she would choose better.

But as Taeyeon cradled her fragile bundle of joy, holding her close with what little strength remained, exhaustion threatened to pull her under. Even then, she looked up—searching for him.

The Duke stood beside the bed, his expression as unreadable as ever.

Yet she knew.

He was disappointed.

She was sure of it.

She had a daughter instead of a son, not an heir.

Yet, to her surprise, the Duke’s gaze softened. A smile—faint, almost imperceptible—graced his usually indifferent features.

It was the same softness she had seen once before, on the night he first held her.

And in that fleeting moment, Taeyeon dared to believe that spring had finally arrived.

Perhaps Miyeon would be the light that warmed the estate’s cold halls, the gentle force that bridged the chasm between husband and wife. Perhaps, with her, their marriage would no longer feel like a war fought in silence, waged with measured words and stolen glances.

Perhaps, at last, it might be bearable.

"She has your eyes."

How wrong she had been to assume such a thing could ever happen.

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Pt. II

(ᴏʜ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴅᴀʀʟɪɴɢ ᴅᴏ ʏᴏᴜ ꜱᴇᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴜᴛꜱ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴡʜɪᴄʜ ɪ ʙʟᴇᴇᴅ? ɪᴛ'ꜱ ᴍᴇ ʏᴏᴜ'ᴠᴇ ꜱʟᴀɪɴ.)

"A daughter is not acceptable. We saved your family from ruin. Took you in when no one else would. An heir is the least you could give the Duke to repay this."

The Duchess Dowager has never been one to soften her words or hide her true intentions. To the outside world, she exuded an almost ethereal grace, embodying the very essence of aristocratic elegance. To those who observed her from afar, she was the epitome of the standard to which all women, particularly Taeyeon, should aspire—perfect, untouchable, and enviable in every way. Yet, beneath the polished veneer of perfection, the Duchess's life was anything but flawless.

Han Taeyeon gritted her teeth, determined to endure. Her heart, however, ached with the loneliness that seemed to seep into her very bones, a silent companion she could not escape. Still, she persevered, burying her doubts deep beneath layers of grace, playing the part she was expected to fill.

Minwoo should have listened to the rumors, to the voices that spread through their world like wildfire, and he should have asked her about it. He should have seen beyond the facade she wore each day, to recognize the strain in her eyes and the exhaustion in her steps.

Instead, he remained silent, allowing the distance between them to grow ever wider.

And in that silence, Taeyeon felt more isolated than ever before, trapped in a world where no one bothered to check on her, to remind her that she was still worth something. It wasn’t just the Hans who had abandoned her—it was Minwoo, too. And so, Taeyeon endured, alone and unseen, the whispers of her failures echoing in her heart.

"I'm alright.. seobang--your grace. Please do not worry."

She assures him when he does not ask. She fills the silence with words he never sought, offering reassurances she doesn't truly feel. It becomes a ritual, one she performs without fail—telling him everything is fine, that she is fulfilling her duties, that there is no need for concern. Only Miyeon’s voice breaks through the quiet. Her innocent chatter, her bright laughter, is the only thing that livened up the air, bringing a fleeting warmth to an otherwise cold atmosphere.

But there came a time when the weight of her in-laws' cruel expectations and the ceaseless pressure to be something she could never quite achieve became too much to bear. When the humiliation of being labeled "not good enough" wore her spirit thin, Taeyeon found solace in the quiet refuge of her thoughts. In the stillness of her room, away from the prying eyes of her family and the suffocating constraints of her position, she would pour her heart onto paper. Her words, heavy with frustration and sorrow, formed melancholic letters addressed to the distant Capitol. They were written for him—the one—the man whose presence, though never physical, had always been her refuge.

His words, carefully chosen and filled with an understanding that no one else had ever shown her, became a lifeline, a beacon of hope in the darkest of times. His voice in the form of ink and paper spoke to her as though he were the only person who truly saw her, the only one who understood the battles waging silently within her. It was in his letters that she found a rare and precious comfort, a warmth that eased the sharp edges of her anguish.

It was the same warmth she saw reflected in her daughter’s eyes whenever Miyeon smiled, a quiet spark that could momentarily dispel the shadows of her world. In those fleeting moments, when Miyeon’s innocent joy radiated like sunlight breaking through the darkest clouds, Taeyeon felt the weight of her misery shift, if only for a breath.

In that warmth, Taeyeon found a glimmer of hope—an anchor to cling to amidst the turmoil of her life. Even as she fought against the suffocating expectations placed upon her, it was Miyeon’s presence that made the relentless pressure of her own burdens more bearable.

And so, the Duchess made a decision—one that had long been buried beneath the demands of her role. She would take Miyeon to the Capitol. It was time to return to the ambitions she had long abandoned, to the career that had once set her heart afire before the weight of family expectations had dulled her spirit. The Hans had molded her into someone they could present to the world—someone perfect, someone who adhered to their every desire. But now, as she stood on the cusp of change, Taeyeon knew it was time to break free, even if only in small, quiet ways.

Han Minwoo made no qualms about this. He was as confined by the walls he had so carefully constructed around himself as he ever was, the barriers he had erected to distance himself from Taeyeon. The space between them had grown over the years, each stone laid in silence, each glance turned away, until they had become strangers in a marriage that had once held promise. Taeyeon, though uncertain in her role as a wife, could never deny that Minwoo was a good father to Miyeon. His love for their daughter was clear, unwavering, and even in the quietest moments, it was evident in his every gesture, in the way he watched over Miyeon with a tenderness she rarely received from him.

(ᴀɴᴅ ʜᴇʀᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ʀɪɢʜᴛ ɴᴇxᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴇ
ɪʀᴏɴɪᴄᴀʟʟʏ, ɪ'ᴠᴇ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ꜰᴇʟᴛ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴀʟᴏɴᴇ)

[ 1859 ]

Years passed, yet no other children were born to Han Taeyeon and Han Minwoo. The delicate foundations of their marriage, once carefully constructed, finally gave way when the Duchess endured for as long as she could, until the weight of it all became unbearable.

In her pursuit of the freedom she so desperately craved, she made her first and only truly selfish decision.

She sought a divorce, a bold and final step to break free from the suffocating confines of their marriage. It was not just an escape from him, but from the relentless pressures of his family, who had always cast their shadow over her every move. For the first time, she longed to cast aside the expectations, the obligations, and the responsibilities that had bound her for so long. She yearned to follow the rebellious, selfish whims of her own heart, to make a choice that was hers alone, no matter the consequences.

Han Taeyeon had reached her breaking point, and without a word of resistance, Han Minwoo quietly let her go.

(ᴏʜ, ᴍʏ ʟᴏᴠᴇ. ɪꜱ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴅ ꜰᴏʀ ᴜꜱ?
ᴍᴀʏʙᴇ ᴡᴇ'ᴠᴇ ʜᴀᴅ ᴇɴᴏᴜɢʜ)