“Se Ri?” Bo A breathed out in concern as she came upon her silent friend. Weeping in a corner of her room. She knelt next to the younger girl. “What’s wrong?”
The child shook her head and used the back of her hand to wipe the tears ruthlessly off her face. “Nothing.” But she couldn’t still her shaking.
“No,” Bo A countered, “this is not nothing.”
She studied her friend’s demeanor and the rigid way she held herself. And she instantly recognized the signs. Knowing for certain that her worst suspicions had just been confirmed. “Someone is abusing you, isn’t he?”
Alarmed, Se Ri gasped as her eyes flew to Bo A’s face. Was it that obvious? Could people tell just by looking at her?
She glanced down at her body. Looking for evidence. Marks that would announce to the world that she was free for the taking. But she saw nothing.
Was this why it kept happening to her? Was there some fatal flaw in her design that simply invited those of the opposite gender to peruse her person without her permission?
“Se Ri,” Bo A whispered, glancing around. “Who is it? I shall see to it that Oppa Soo Ho flays him alive.”
Her gaze now flew to her fierce friend’s face. Se Ri was thankful for this girl, but she didn’t want anyone to know. Soo Ho would never flay one of his own friends. He would simply become cognizant of her fatal flaw. And turn on her too. It was what always happened.
She’d tried to tell the elder of her brothers about the abuse last year. Only, he had done nothing to protect her. Instead, he had cornered her himself one day. And done worse things to her than the younger boy had ever done. She cringed as she recalled them. Thankfully, in the case of that young man, he’d been called away shortly thereafter. She hadn’t seen him since. So he’d had only the one chance to abuse her.
First, a boy had touched her. Then an adolescent on the cusp of manhood. But now, it was so much worse. She was completely powerless. This man was over a decade older than her and ensconced in her grandmother’s household. He held a position of power among the servants. He could go wherever he wanted whenever he wanted. And he kept seeking out her company.
She glanced down at her shaking hands. She couldn’t seem to still them. No matter what she did.
“I’m fine,” she claimed, but she couldn’t stop her teeth from rattling.
Last night had been just awful. She had hidden in her room all day. She was fairly sure she was safe from him now. He had never visited her during the day.
She’d told her mother that she didn’t feel well and had stayed home from school. Hoping to avoid Bo A. And her perceptive eyes. Se Ri had known that she wouldn’t be able to conceal her pain today. Not from her sweet best friend. And here the girl was, peering down at her with compassion flowing from her gaze and indignation burning in her heart.
“The only way to stop the abuse is to tell someone, Se Ri. I know he must have threatened you. But his threats are empty. The men I know are kind. And more powerful than he. Please tell me. And together we will stop it.”
Bo A stared down at her quaking friend. Her heart was breaking right now.
“There’s nothing to tell. I just don’t feel good today.”
“Where are the bruises?” Bo A asked as she examined her friend’s body. But everything was covered up. “Please, Se Ri. Tell me.”
“I am fine. I will be fine. Once I feel better.”
Bo A considered her for a moment. “Would you like to stay at my house tonight?”
“No!” she gasped. She couldn’t possibly leave Se Yeon alone.
“What if we invited your mother and sister to come too?” her cagey friend suggested.
Se Ri wrinkled her brow. “Why would my mother stay over?”
“She and Unnie Jung Sook are good friends. I’ll tell her that I would delight in having a house party. That I want a friend to stay over, and she should have one too. Oppa Soo Ho is away overnight on a mission. So Unnie Jung Sook is going to be all alone tonight. I bet she’d delight in your mother’s company.”
Se Ri remained silent.
Bo A frowned at her pale friend. “But your mother will probably only agree if you can convince her that you feel better.”
Se Ri’s heart lifted as she considered escaping this horrid house tonight. She bobbed her head. “Is Unnie Jung Sook here?”
Bo A nodded. “Let me go ask her. I’ll be right back.” She headed for the door before turning back to gasp, “Wash your face. Blow your nose. Put on some clean clothes. Do what you can to convince your mother.”
The older girl slipped out into the hallway. And made a beeline for her benefactor.
“Unnie Jung Sook?” she queried as she entered the room where the two women were chatting. “Can I speak to you alone for a moment?”
Curious now, Jung Sook stood up. “All right.” She threw a quizzical glance at Sam Sook before following Bo A out into the hallway. “What’s this about?”
“I need you to trust me,” Bo A whispered. “If I tell you that I need something from you, will you believe me and help me to get it?”
Truly intrigued now, Jung Sook furrowed her brow. “What is it?”
“Can you please invite Unnie Sam Sook and her girls to stay the night at your house tonight?”
“What?” the woman gasped. “Why?”
“I cannot tell you now. But after they arrive at your house, I think I will be able to.”
Bo A wasn’t the only one to recognize trouble when she smelled it. “Bo A. Does this have something to do with Se Ri? With the reason that she missed school today?”
“Yes,” Bo A answered truthfully.
“She’s in some kind of trouble, isn’t she?”
“I think so,” the girl responded in a bare breath.
“The kind of trouble that you and I both suffered?”
The girl bobbed her head.
“I will do my best to convince her mother.”
“Wait until I bring her out for tea. I want Unnie Sam Sook to see that she’s feeling better first. Otherwise, she may say that she can’t come.”
Jung Sook was impressed by the girl’s intelligence. She nodded her head and returned to her friend.
A couple of minutes later, Bo A and Se Ri entered the room.
Sam Sook glanced up in surprise. “Se Ri? You’re feeling better?”
“Much, Eomma. I’m just…hungry,” she lied. But her stomach backed her up a moment later by emitting a fierce noise.
“I’m glad!” Sam Sook brightened. “I was really worried about you.” She glanced at her friend. “She was so listless this morning. Like she hadn’t slept all night long.”
The girl’s mother turned back towards her. “Here, darling. Have some rice cakes.” She loaded a plate with them and handed it to her as Se Ri slipped into a chair.
“Well, now that you’re feeling better,” Jung Sook began smoothly before turning towards Sam Sook, “I was wondering if all you ladies would like to come stay the night at my house.”
“What?” Sam Sook asked in surprise.
“A sleepover?” Bo A played her part magnificently. “That would be wonderful!” She turned towards Se Ri. “Would you like to come?!”
“Me too?” queried Se Yeon as she bounced up and down in her seat.
“Why, yes, darling!” Jung Sook assured the tiny mite. “All three of you!”
Sam Sook furrowed her brow. “But isn’t Soo Ho going to be home? Don’t you want to spend the evening with him instead of with me?”
Jung Sook shook her head. “No. He’s been sent on an errand by the king. It’s just us girls tonight.” She further explained, “Ban Ryu was sent on the trip too. So Soo Yeon will also be home.”
“And Lady Bit Na and Lord Kim Seub, of course,” Sam Sook responded with a slight smile.
“Actually, no. They are visiting family in the north. It’s just us girls.”
“Oh, really?” Sam Sook’s face lit up. “That sounds like so much fun.” She turned towards Se Ri. “Are you sure that you’re up for it?” But she instantly noticed that her daughter’s color seemed to be returning, and she seemed peaceful for the first time today.
“Yes, Eomma! I want to go! Can I go pack my clothes right now? And Se Yeon’s?”
“All right, sweetheart,” Sam Sook smiled. “But take your rice cakes with you.” She turned towards Jung Sook after the two older girls left the room. “Thank you so much. This is the happiest I’ve seen her all day.”
Jung Sook pasted a bright smile on her face and tried to still the butterflies swirling around in her stomach. She was very nervous about the truths that were sure to come out tonight. But she was grateful to the king for sending the men of her household on a mission. Thereby setting the stage for the unveiling of Se Ri’s secret. And giving her the opportunity to protect yet another young lady from some terrible peril.
