Chapter 002: Reversal
The moment Makri vividly recalled Hansado’s words and actions over the past years, everything became clear, and she couldn’t help but let out a bitter, hollow laugh. She had always prided herself on her intelligence, yet she had been mistaken about the most important thing.
She had always thought Hansado didn’t really know her… but in truth, he knew her far too well. That was precisely why he could no longer tolerate her!
Hansado had anticipated that one day Makri would see through him. He had guessed that once she learned the truth, she would draw her sword against him. And since Makri already knew far too much about him, he had struck first. Moreover, the Mak family could no longer be relied upon, and the Seol family was thriving, so he ruthlessly chose his next move.
At first, he had been drawn to Makri’s beauty and wealth.
Then he had admired her intelligence and praised her skills.
But eventually, the things she knew became a threat, and he feared that she might uncover the truth.
Her strengths had, in the end, become the very reasons he sought to discard her.
“Hansado… Hansado…!”
Makri wanted to shout out her anger and resentment, but the moment she opened her mouth, a blade-like wave of icy water crashed over her. Her frozen fingertips trembled faintly as she moved, but she could not make a sound. Soon, the water had swallowed her entire head.
Seol Inang watched silently with her cold eyes as Makri’s fingers flailed beneath the ice. Only when they had fully sunk from view did she finally raise the corners of her mouth and turn away quietly.
But just as she stepped away, a streak of red light cut across the far edge of the sky.
A shooting star had fallen. Soon after, massive snow began to descend, followed by hail so rare it might only occur once in a hundred years.
Astronomers would later record this event as Cheonbyeon Ji-i “Heavenly changes and earthly anomalies,” an ominous portent. The reasons behind it were the subject of many speculations.
And that year, a woman who had been deceived for ten years and died tragically returned, carrying the fury and resentment of a soul that had finally discovered the truth—returning through time in the body of a young girl.
“Madam said yesterday that the doctor in the south of the castle should be brought here. But now, not only has the young lady recovered enough to get out of bed on her own despite a fever this morning, she even looks quite well. Isn’t that wonderful? You don’t know it, but I’ve been worried sick for days. The old lady was terribly concerned, and even Mr. Igonang couldn’t eat properly due to worry. Lady Pyo visited daily as well, yet Seol Inang seemed completely unfazed…”
Hongdu kept talking while combing Makri’s hair, chattering without pause.
Makri stared blankly at the young, fresh face reflected in the mirror. Still youthful and delicate—her sixteen-year-old face.
After lying in bed for three days, she could finally be certain that she had truly returned ten years into the past. It was clearly the end of summer, just past her sixteenth birthday.
‘In just half a year…’
Makri’s hands began to tremble.
In six months, her father would suffer a sudden accident, leaving him gravely injured and on the brink of death. By then, the Yang family would have already called off the marriage arrangement, leaving her without the protective prestige of a powerful family. Her relatives would begin to covet her father’s wealth, and even the head of the household would lead relentless persecution.
If her father died, her family would face extinction. She, her younger sister, her frail mother, and her elderly grandmother would be left destitute, with nowhere to turn.
It was at that moment that Hansado intervened.
With his wealth, influence, and strategies, he helped her. Thanks to him, her father entrusted her to him on his deathbed, even allowing the marriage to take place.
Looking back, everything had unfolded too quickly.
The young girl, unaware of worldly affairs, had believed she had found a fateful benefactor and destined partner.
But his true nature was that of a cowardly, cunning wolf.
“Miss? Eldest Miss?”
Hongdu called out urgently, realizing Makri was staring blankly into the air.
Her tightly clenched worry loosened slightly, but tension still gripped her.
“Hm? What is it?”
Makri finally snapped back to her senses, composing herself. She smiled faintly, picked up a golden hairpin inlaid with a southern pearl from the dresser, and handed it to Hongdu.
Hongdu hesitated for a moment but placed the hairpin in Makri’s hair, eyes filled with concern.
“Are you still unwell, Miss? Have you developed a fever again?”
“I’m fine. Just… thinking about something,” Makri replied lightly as she stood, adjusting her posture.
“By the way, has anyone come to visit in the past few days?”
“No…”
Hongdu shook her head, then remembered something.
“Just now, Madam Yang’s aunt came. I assumed she came to see you, but she went to Madam instead. Isn’t that odd? Madam hardly interacts with her.”
“The Yang family…”
Makri frowned slightly, swallowing a bitter sneer.
Rushing to such lengths… how impatient.
‘Hansado… so he had other intentions all along.’
She recalled the past, though the exact dates were fuzzy. Around this time, the Yang family had repeatedly demanded the marriage be canceled, their approach becoming increasingly forceful.
Makri’s parents had refused. The arrangement had been made by her grandfather and could not easily be broken. But the Yangs continued to apply pressure, secretly mobilizing relatives and spreading false rumors to tarnish her reputation.
‘In the end, Mother had no choice but to accept the cancellation. Her health deteriorated day by day, and only a few years after Father passed, she too left this world.’
The Yang family. Makri’s eyes turned icy as she stared at her reflection in the mirror.
Her grandfather had helped the Yangs when they were at their lowest, and through that connection, promised her in marriage to Yang Myung, the eldest son.
But after Yang Noya passed away, the Yangs gradually grew dissatisfied with the marriage. They never considered that their rise in status was thanks to him.
Although the Mak family was a significant merchant clan in Yongju, her father belonged to a branch line and was often mistreated by relatives. He was upright, gentle, and lacked business acumen, sometimes suffering persecution from his own family.
Makri’s grandfather had left mulberry fields to her father, but her relatives eagerly eyed them. Yet they would have long forgotten the family if not for their persistent greed.
‘What I did not anticipate… was that the Yang family’s push to cancel the marriage was not unrelated to Hansado.’
Makri’s gaze hardened as she lifted her head slowly.
Looking deep into her reflection, she whispered quietly to herself:
‘Thank you… I’m glad you told me that back then, Seollim.’
Straightening her attire, Makri stepped toward the door, eyes lifted to the sky.
The blue of the sky was sharp and clear.
‘Hansado, I’m sixteen now, but I am no longer the naive girl I once was. I will never be toyed with by your hands again.’
“Miss?”
Hongdu called out, worried, as Makri paused.
Makri lowered her gaze, face calm, and walked toward her mother, Mrs. Ju
How much can ten years of life harden a woman?
Hansado could never have imagined that the girl he had raised would become the most formidable opponent of his life.
In the past, he had been in the shadows while she was in the light.
Now, he would stand in the light, and she would move within the shadows.
When Makri reached the threshold of Madam Ju’s inner quarters, she unexpectedly came face-to-face with Seollim emerging from within.
Makri halted, expressionless, meeting Seollim’s gaze.
Seollim had been slipping quietly out of the house. She was used to investigating all matters of the Mak family, but she had not expected to encounter Makri at the door.
Seollim paused briefly, then took a few steps forward, worry evident on her face.
“Sis, are you feeling better? I was just about to come see you.”
Makri remained silent, watching her.
Seollim, meeting the heavy, intense gaze, felt a sudden twinge of unease.
After a long silence, Makri spoke quietly:
“I hear Madam Im has come. Is she in Mother’s room?”
Madam Im was Yang Myung’s aunt. She was the eldest daughter-in-law of the Im family, though a widow, as her husband had died young.
“Yes… she’s inside…”
Seollim nodded hesitantly.
Just then, a well-built woman in her late twenties, Madam Im, emerged. She froze at the sight of Makri standing perfectly well.
‘As expected, that frail girl had a scheme. Sending someone to call her daughter in such a hurry! But whatever she says now is futile.’
Madam Im smiled lightly at Makri.
Looking her over, Makri was tall, slender, with a willow-like waist and an egg-shaped face. Every feature was flawless, and her slightly high nose gave her face a striking depth. Though less soft and delicate, it added to her radiant beauty and unique charm.
Even the discerning Madam Im could not help but admire her inwardly.
‘I thought she would grow into a beauty from a young age. Indeed, she becomes more beautiful with each passing year. But sadly, born into the wrong family, her beauty will serve only others.’
“Eldest niece, have you recovered? I hear you’ve been bedridden for several days.”
Her tone was not exactly warm, but Makri bowed lightly in response.
“Thank you for coming. I’ve fully recovered. I appreciate your concern.”
“I’m glad you’ve recovered. But you are still too thin. You need to gain weight quickly, so even if a matchmaker comes, there will be no reason for criticism.”
