章節 138: | A King's Affections (Part 1)

"No! I will not do it. I can not! I am not ready yet." Soo-Ah rebelled from where she sat on her bed, chin high, fists tight. The shrewd, old matrons had not yet defeated her, not as long as she could put on a fight.

She had told them the same thing, only minutes earlier, when they called her into their office to give her the unexpected-and oh so joyous for them-news. It was not news for Soo-Ah. It was a sentence. Of course, she had stormed out of there fuming as soon as she heard what they expected of her. Hanna, turning as bitter as bile, came after her like an eagle diving for its prey with readied claws.

Now, the old hag dominated Soo-Ah's door frame. One assured step at a time, Hanna approached, coming too close for comfort. Bony fingers pinched Soo-Ah's chin, while a set of discolored eyes drilled into the young woman's.