To master the art of clothing craftsmanship, one must possess a keen eye and an even keener sense of touch. It's not merely about visually assessing the fabric; it's about feeling its texture, understanding its quality, and envisioning its potential in the creation of a masterpiece. This was the first lesson imparted by Diana's mentor, Madam Mi-yeon—a lesson that required immersion in the bustling marketplace of Hanyang.
[Downtown Market (Hanyang)]
Diana stood amidst the vibrant stalls of the market, her gaze scanning the array of fabrics on display. Though she was a novice compared to Madam Mi-yeon, Diana was no stranger to the world of fashion. As the CEO of a Hanbok atelier in Seoul, she prided herself on her discerning eye for quality. Yet, there was an intangible quality to this task that eluded her grasp.
"Good fabric... Where to find a good fabric?" she pondered aloud, her voice lost amidst the chatter of the crowd. "Choosing a good fabric is child's play for an expert like me! But there's something more to this task than meets the eye."
Lost in thought, Diana hesitated, unsure of which fabric to select among the myriad options before her.
"Lady Diana!" A familiar voice called out from the throng, drawing her attention.
"Officer Young!" Diana exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she spotted the figure weaving through the bustling market.
Tall and striking, Officer Young cut a commanding figure in his all-black attire, his handsome features standing out amidst the sea of faces.
"What's on your mind, Lady?" he inquired, his gaze warm and curious.
Diana's cheeks flushed at her inadvertent slip. "Oh, just... admiring your remarkable presence. I mean... uh..."
Young's own cheeks tinted with a faint blush at her compliment, a shy smile tugging at his lips.
"Remarkably outstanding, am I?" he echoed, his tone laced with amusement.
As the awkwardness of the moment passed, Diana cleared her throat, shifting the focus of their conversation. "So, what brings you to the market, Officer?"
"Oh, just... business," Young replied vaguely, his eyes darting away for a moment before meeting hers once more.
Diana raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "What kind of business, if you don't mind my asking?"
Young's cheeks burned crimson, his gaze flitting nervously as Diana's request hung in the air. The tension between them was palpable, as clear as the blush staining Young's ears.
As Diana suggested they peruse the fabric together, Young's eagerness was unmistakable, his response quick and enthusiastic. "Yes, of course!" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with a hint of excitement.
Diana couldn't help but smile at his eager demeanor, a warmth spreading through her chest at the sight of his genuine enthusiasm. "He's adorable," she mused to herself, resisting the urge to ruffle his hair like a playful puppy.
Together, they navigated the maze of stalls, Young offering his insights and opinions on the various fabrics they encountered. Diana was pleasantly surprised by his keen eye and thoughtful observations, finding herself genuinely appreciating his input.
"This is unexpected," she thought, her admiration for Young growing with each passing moment. "I didn't expect him to be such a great help. And I'm actually starting to enjoy this."
Caught up in the moment, Diana found herself lost in thought, her mind wandering to the enigmatic young officer by her side.
"Pardon?" Young's voice broke through her reverie, his curious gaze fixed on her.
Diana's heart skipped a beat, a flush creeping up her neck at the realization of her slip. "Oh, haha... I was just... thinking out loud. Please, pay me no mind."
But Young's next words caught her off guard, his sudden change in demeanor sending a shiver down her spine.
"My lady, I'm terribly sorry, but I must go," he announced abruptly, his expression turning serious in an instant.
Diana's brow furrowed in confusion, a sense of foreboding creeping into her thoughts. "So suddenly?" she questioned, her voice betraying her unease.
As Young made to leave, Diana's instincts kicked in, her senses tingling with an inexplicable urgency. "Wait," she murmured, reaching out to grasp his sleeve in a desperate bid to anchor him to her side.
But as she did, a chill ran down her spine, memories of past encounters flooding her mind with a sense of dread.
"Can't you just stay, Something isn't right," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. "I can feel it..."
Young's reassurance did little to ease the gnawing worry in Diana's heart as he disappeared into the bustling streets of Hanyang. She watched him go, a sense of unease settling over her like a heavy blanket.
"It should be okay, my lady," Young's voice echoed in her mind, his words a feeble attempt to quell her fears. "I'm just going on patrol duty around here."
"Alright," Diana replied, forcing a small smile despite the turmoil churning within her. "But you need to take good care of yourself, okay?"
"I will," Young promised before disappearing into the crowd, leaving Diana alone with her thoughts.
As she attempted to focus on her task of selecting fabrics, Diana found herself unable to shake the worry that gnawed at her insides.
"What if something bad happens to him?" she whispered to herself, her heart heavy with dread.
Memories of their previous encounters flooded her mind—the bloodstains, the wounds, the haunting look of pain in Young's eyes. She couldn't bear the thought of him facing danger alone.
"I can't just stay here doing nothing," Diana resolved, determination sparking within her.
With newfound resolve, she turned and hurried in the direction Young had gone, her footsteps quickening with each passing moment.
[Alleyway]
As she rounded a corner into a dimly lit alley, Diana's heart raced with anticipation. In the distance, she could hear the murmur of voices—a conversation shrouded in secrecy.
"Oh, over there...!" Diana whispered to herself, her senses on high alert.
Before she could move forward, a hand grasped her from behind, sending a jolt of surprise through her.
"Lower your body," Young's voice urged, his arm wrapping protectively around her shoulders as he scanned the alley for any sign of danger.
Diana bit back the urge to protest, realizing that Young was trying to protect her. Instead, she focused on the voices emanating from the darkness, straining to make out their words.
"...at night," one voice muttered, barely audible but laced with menace.
"...keep watch... follow..." another voice chimed in, sending a shiver down Diana's spine.
Though she couldn't see their faces clearly, Diana caught a glimpse of a man's profile, his features obscured by the shadows. And then, as if sensing their presence, the man turned towards them, prompting Diana and Young to flee in a panic.
Young's plea for Diana to remain put echoed in her ears, his urgency tinged with a sense of protectiveness that she couldn't ignore.
"You have to be back fast...!" Diana implored, her voice laced with worry as she watched Young disappear into the night.
"I will," Young promised, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer before he turned away, vanishing into the darkness of the street.
Left alone with her thoughts, Diana pondered the cryptic words she had overheard in the alleyway.
"Night, keep watch, and follow," she murmured to herself, the pieces of the puzzle slowly coming together in her mind. "It sounds like they're watching someone at night, following them secretly... But who?"
The gravity of the situation began to sink in, the severity of it all dawning on her with each passing moment. And yet, amidst the chaos and uncertainty, Lord Sung's calm demeanor lingered in her thoughts, a stark contrast to the turmoil around her.
"How did he manage to smile so easily at a time like that?" Diana wondered, her mind swirling with questions.
Time seemed to stretch on endlessly as she waited, her anxiety mounting with each passing second.
"Let's wait for just a bit more," she resolved, her resolve unwavering. "Who knows what might happen? I'd better stay put here like Young told me to..."
After what felt like an eternity, a voice broke through the silence, calling out to her from the darkness.
"Lady Diana? Are you still there?" Young's voice cut through the stillness, bringing with it a sense of relief.
"Oh! Young, I'm here!" Diana exclaimed, her voice tinged with gratitude.
"I'm sorry to keep you waiting," Young apologized as he approached her, his demeanor solemn yet determined.
"No need to apologize," Diana reassured him, her heart swelling with gratitude for his safe return. "So, is everything handled...?"
"For now, yes," Young confirmed, his gaze meeting hers with a mixture of exhaustion and resolve.
Though she was tempted to press him for more information, Diana held back, sensing that now wasn't the right time.
"Then, will you resume helping me select the best fabric, officer?" she asked, redirecting their focus to the task at hand.
"Of course, if that's fine with you," Young replied, his willingness to assist her evident in his tone.
As they made their way back to the marketplace, Diana couldn't help but feel a newfound sense of curiosity about the enigmatic young officer by her side.
"See? This guy has some reliable taste!" she thought to herself with a smile as they approached a stall adorned with rolls of silk. "That's what I was just about to say!"
With Young's guidance, Diana ran her fingers over the smooth silk, the texture a stark contrast to the vibrant colors surrounding them.
Diana ask Young about his opinion, she decided, her curiosity piqued by the prospect of learning more about the man who had captured her attention in more ways than one.
Diana turned to Young, a roll of fabric cradled in her arms as she sought his opinion.
"Young, what do you think about this piece?" she asked, her eyes alight with excitement.
"It looks better than any other ones we've seen today, but... that's only my opinion," Young replied modestly.
"Well, I happen to have the same opinion! I'm taking this," Diana declared, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
Young returned her smile with a nod of approval, his eyes warm with sincerity.
"Thank you for helping me out today, Officer Young. I was able to find the best fabric all thanks to you," Diana expressed her gratitude, her voice filled with appreciation.
"I enjoyed my day with you, too, my lady," Young replied, his tone genuine. "And about what happened today... I believe it's best for you to not know the details... Could you forgive me for not telling you about it?"
Diana hesitated, torn between her curiosity and her trust in Young's judgment. "Hmm... But can't you just tell me...?"
"When the time comes, I will let you know everything," Young promised, his gaze steady.
Though a pang of uncertainty lingered in her heart, Diana nodded in understanding. "I understand. You have your reasons."
"Except—" Young's voice trailed off, his expression serious.
"Yes?" Diana prompted, eager for any insight he was willing to share.
"There's one thing I can tell you," Young continued, his voice low and cautious. "Kooju Kim... You need to beware of him."
Diana's brows furrowed in confusion, but before she could inquire further, Young fell silent, leaving her with more questions than answers.
[Near the Mansion]
As Diana approached the master's mansion, she spotted Taesoo digging aimlessly in the ground with his shoe.
"Young lord Taesoo?" she called out, drawing his attention.
"Lady Diana! Oh, Master Young. You were here, too," Taesoo greeted them, a hint of surprise in his voice.
"He came along and helped me buy the fabric rolls," Diana explained, gesturing to Young.
"You must have loads of free time," Taesoo remarked, his tone teasing.
"I, of course, have more free time than you, who should be busy studying at Sungkyunkwan," Young retorted with a smirk.
Diana chuckled at their banter, the tension of earlier dissipating in the light-hearted exchange.
"Why are you both covered in dust? As if you were running in some dusty street..." Taesoo observed, his curiosity piqued.
Instantly, Diana and Young exchanged a guilty glance, their silence speaking volumes.
"This is very suspicious," Taesoo remarked, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.
"Come on, what's so suspicious—?" Diana began, attempting to deflect the attention away from their secretive activities.
"Are you jealous that we had a fun day without you?" she teased, a mischievous glint in her eye.
"Wh-wh-who's jealous?!" Taesoo sputtered, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
As the awkward tension lingered between them, Diana suggested they head inside, eager to change the subject.
"Why don't we head inside now? Haha..." she proposed, hoping to diffuse the tension.
"I need to get going, though," Taesoo announced suddenly, his demeanor shifting.
"But you just arrived here!" Diana protested, surprised by his sudden departure.
"Well, I was just dropping by..." Taesoo trailed off, his excuse feeble at best.
"And I need to be going, too, miss," Young added, his tone apologetic.
"Oh... I see. Well, this is a little depressing," Diana remarked, a hint of disappointment in her voice.
"Which one of us is making you depressed?" Taesoo inquired, his tone teasing yet gentle.
"Huh...? Oh... Uhm... Both...?" Diana replied, flustered by the question.
"Well, don't try anything funny and focus on your lessons, my lady," Taesoo advised, his tone sincere.
"That's what I want to tell you," Diana replied with a small smile, grateful for his concern.
As Young and Taesoo bid her farewell, Diana watched them leave, a whirlwind of emotions swirling in her mind.
"Just like how I searched for the perfect fabric, I need to try hard if I want to understand a person," she mused to herself, a sense of determination settling over her.
"They all are such good people... Especially...'Him,'" she thought, her thoughts drifting to Sung.
As she contemplated the complexities of her relationships with Young and Taesoo, Diana couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation at the prospect of their next encounter.
"It is a complicated feeling, all crossing my mind at once," she reflected, a wistful smile playing at her lips. "And, I thought I wouldn't be able to wake up from this horrid nightmare... But now that I see you, I think being trapped in this nightmare might not be a bad idea after all."