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Chapter 6- MASKS AND SCARS

"Smile- but only your eyes".

Ha-eun stood in front of a full length mirror, back straight, shoulders squared, lips parted even so slightly.

Behind her, the head maid, Madam Kwon, circled like a hawk. She adjusted Ha-eun's posture, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and straighten the pearl pin on her collar.

"You're not just wearing the Seo name now", she said."You carry it".

Ha-eun held back a sigh. This was her third etiquette session in two days....how to sit, how to walk, how to speak when surrounded by billionaires, criminals, and politicians in the same room.

Joon-won had assigned no less than five mentors; a speech, coach, a posture trainer, a political tutor, a stylist, and his security chief.

And not once had he spoken to her alone again until that night.

Ha-eun found Joon-won alone in his private garden- not a flower in sight, just smooth stone paths and shadowed trees. He sat in his wheel chair, his shirt sleeve rolled up, arms tensed, sweat beading his temple.

The scent of burnt herbs and something suspeciously bitter filled the airlong before Ha-eun entered the room. She walked in barefoot, wearing an oversized hoodie, sleeves pushed up and holding a steaming jade green cup with both hands like I might explode.

Seo Joon-won looked up, eyes narrowing."What is that".

"It's an ancient herbal medicine!". she snapped."Now drink it or die bitter".

He held his nose and sipped. Instantly gagged.

"God. What did you put in this-mud and betrayal?".

She smirked "Close".

"It's ancient herbal tea","Mixed with mountain leaves, phoenix root, and a pinch of.......ramen seasoning".

Despite himself, he chuckled.

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Joon-won finds Ha-eun eating the fourth noodles for the day in just thirty minutes. It was day fiveof his healing process and her appetite was insaciable.

You cannot use instant noodles as a spiritual offering", he said flatly.

Ha-eun dropped her chopsticks."Says who? Spirits deserve joy.

"You’ve eaten four bowls today".

"It fuels my magic". Ha-eun said jokingly.

"It fuels your sodium levels" Joon-won said sternly.

She poked his side."You're cranky when you feel your legs, huh?".

He looked at her....then down at his foot.

It has twitched for the first time in years.

"I feel something",he said quietly.

She fell silent watching him. Then, softly she said"Then we keep moving".

The rituals continued. Every night she chanted. She pressed herbs into his skin. She bled her palms into the mixture. And every morning......... he could feel more.

Toes..Calves.. Knees.

Until bone morning, Joon-won sat up straighter, swung his leg gently forward...... and stood. Shakily. Briefly. But he stood.

Ha-eun stared, mouth open."You........You.."

He didn't speak. Just smiled. Small.Honest. Then collapsible into a pillow pile she'd left on the floor.

"I stood", he muttered.

"You fell" Ha-eun said lowering her eyes in a funny way.

"Progress".

They both laughed.

And in that moment- between curses and healing and bad soup- something unspoken began to bloom. Not love- But trust.