My Treasure [ATEEZ Pirate AU] Chapter Three.
"Miss Lee, would you come inside, please?"
Upon hearing her summons, Sohee took a deep breath and entered the room. She wondered what someone like Lord Lee could possibly want with a simple woman such as herself—but she swallowed her anxiety as she stepped inside his elegant office.
Lord Lee was not alone. A cartographer was painting intricate details of some islands in the Pacific Ocean on the far side of the wall. Sohee watched fascinatingly for a moment before directing her attention to Lord Lee, who was, in turn, watching her.
"Miss Lee," he said, standing tall. He was barely taller than she, but the air with which the man held himself made him seem taller. "I have just had an interesting discussion with Master Choi. Shall I tell you about it?"
"If it is my place to hear of it, Lord Lee," she replied, knowing quite well that one wrong word could cost San his life.
He seemed amused by her cautious compliance and moved forward. "I offered him the freedom of his fiancée, Eunseo Kwon, if he were to bring me back an item of Kim Hongjoon's. Have you met the pirate before?"
Sohee shook her head. "I have not. I remained here, in Port Royal, when the band of pirates attacked us."
Lord Lee nodded. "That is good fortune for you, it would seem. I have requested that Master Choi fetch me a personal item of the pirate's—a compass. It is quite invaluable, and its deliverance shall ensure Miss Kwon's release. When I send Choi to Kim Hongjoon, he will have papers regarding a full pardon to give to him, so long as he swears compliance to the Eastern India Company."
"Somehow, I do not believe the pirate Hongjoon will appreciate those letters," mused Sohee, glancing at the mural of the map again. "He is a pirate for a reason."
"Perhaps you are right. But you have missed my point."
"I have guaranteed Kwon Eunseo her freedom in exchange for the compass. I am sending Master Choi letters of full pardon for Kim Hongjoon. I have not, however, promised Master Choi himself anything regarding his own freedom."
Hearing this, Sohee blanched. If San were to die, she would not know what to do with herself.
Knowing that she was expected to respond, she swallowed and asked, "And I suppose you would like something from me to guarantee his freedom? What can a woman such as myself give you, Lord Lee?"
Instead of answering immediately, the man gazed over the room. Seeing that the cartographer had finished his last few strokes on the map, he dismissed him—the door closed with a loud THUMP, which mirrored Sohee's heartbeat. She and Lord Lee were now alone.
After another moment of silence, Lord Lee said, "A simple girl like yourself is precisely what I would like. You are a woman of great beauty, Miss Lee, as well one of good manner. And when I handed you those parchments... forgive me, but I could not help but notice an absence of a ring atop your gloves."
Sohee blinked, a wave of uncertainty washing over her as she questioned, "Is this... are you proposing for me to marry you in exchange for San's freedom?"
"I am not blind. I see that you care for him deeply," said the Lord Lee, a light smirk upon his lips. "That is most unfortunate for you, I am afraid. But it might also be most opportune. If you accept my offer, you may grow to discover that there shall be advantages in your status and lifestyle because of our marriage. The same, of course, could be said for me. While this arrangement may be political today, one day, you may grow to truly love me, and I you. I would be... eager to show you that I could treat you better than any blacksmith ever could."
Sohee restrained from sighing. San was much more than just a blacksmith. "How can I be certain that you will spare him?"
"It is not you whom I do not trust, but the law."
Lord Lee seemed unable to restrain a chuckle. He glanced out of the windows of his majestic office to gaze across the ocean. He waved a hand towards her as if to summon her to follow—and so she did. They took a brief moment to watch the happenings upon the harbour, the waves gently lapping at the docile shore. And then, after a minute or so of contemplative silence, the man said, "I suppose that is fair enough, Miss Lee. I shall issue another official pardon for Master Choi upon his successful return."
This statement comforted Sohee more than she believed it would, although the prospect of accepting the offer of the Lord Lee's hand in marriage was still incredibly daunting. Of course she would accept—for San, so he would live and be happy with Eunseo—but she was uncertain about what her future would entail when she would say the words.
Her silence was noted. Lord Lee turned back to her, a light apprehension in his eyes as he questioned, "Would you be willing to accept my offer?"
Sohee let her eyes trail the man... he was not unattractive, although she did wish she could see what a smile would look like upon his face. His eyes were thoughtful, but still cold...
He reached out a hand and softly laid his palm against her face. She offered him a hesitant smile and, fortunately, it was returned. Oddly enough, that smile reached the depths of Lee's eyes.
It was this that prompted her to breathe in once... twice... and then reply, "Yes, Lord Lee. I will accept your generous offer."
Her words made the man's smile deepen. "Then I shall obtain Master Choi's documents, and begin marriage preparations." His hand moved from her face to brush a lock of her deeply brown hair behind her ear. They looked at one another for a brief moment—and then Lord Lee kissed her.
Sohee was shocked at the sudden gesture, and frankly, uncertain how to interpret it. His lips felt cold, and it was only a fleeting gesture. She could not help but fear that her acceptance meant nothing to him, and that she would never truly occupy a place in his heart.
Once he pulled away, Lord Lee smiled—though Sohee felt that this too was taciturn—and declared, "This has been a very fruitful chat, Miss Lee."
Sohee nodded to agree... but then, she realised something. She would not be able to bear it if San went away again, and she was left at Port Royal with no idea if he was safe. She would sooner die than endure that torture again.
She had to say something.
He nodded and waved a hand to let her know it was allowed.
Taking a deep breath, Sohee interjected, "In order to be certain that San shall live a happy life, I would like to accompany him to locate Kim Hongjoon and be certain his mission succeeds. If he is to live, I would like him to live happily—and the only way he shall do that is if he marries Eunseo. This means he must not fail. I would like to oversee that he does not."
The Lord Lee's eyes widened somewhat at her request; whether that was due to fright or anger or both, Sohee could not tell. "Do you realise the danger this quest might hold? If the pirate Hongjoon were to—to sully you or anything of the sort—"
"San would never let anything happen to me," she promised, taking care to keep her voice calm. "He is more than capable of protecting me."
Sohee did not add that she could perfectly well defend herself, thanks to years upon years of training. Seeing that Lord Lee was unconvinced, she reached out for his hand at his side and gently grasped it, murmuring, "I promise you, no man will lay a hand on me whilst I am gone. Would you be able to grant me this as a wedding gift?"
The pleading with which Sohee spoke and portrayed seemed to weaken the Lord Lee's resolve. With a heavy sigh, he conceded. "Very well, Miss Lee. If it shall make you happy, I will allow it."
A great burden was lifted from Sohee's shoulders, although she took great care to mask it as she earnestly replied, "Thank you, Lord Lee. You are most kind. I shall return soon."
She squeezed his hand and released it before moving towards the exit—
"One last thing, Miss Lee," announced Lord Lee's voice. Sohee moved back to face him as he walked towards her. He held something small in his palm, but she could not yet see what.
With great care, he gently grabbed her left hand—
"No, not that one," she gasped, unable to help herself. "Please, use my other hand."
Lord Lee raised an eyebrow. "Why not the left, Miss Lee?"
Seeing that she had to explain herself, Sohee sighed and confessed, wringing her hands, "There is a scar... a jagged black bolt over the back of my hand. It has been there since I was an infant, and I do not know how I got it. It is no birthmark, and I worry that it shall... repulse you."
"Nonsense," scoffed Lord Lee, carefully removing the glove on her hand. He looked at the scar for a moment—it ran from one side of Sohee's hand to the other, and was as black as ever. It was like a darkened lightning bolt—she always attempted to cover it up, unless she was in the forge with San, and San alone.
But Lord Lee did not seem perturbed by the mark, which surprised her. It was almost as if he did not even see the scar as he slipped a gold ring onto her third finger. Softly, he said, "This is for you to wear and remember."
That was all he said, but the connotation was perfectly clear.
Sohee held San's life in her hands, and here was a tangible reminder of that.As it was, Sohee did not need any reminder. She had no intention of breaking her promise. "Thank you... it is beautiful."
"Quite like you," murmured Lord Lee, glancing at the ground. This was the first glimpse of true vulnerability that Sohee had seen from him yet.
Carefully, she slipped her glove back on before curtsying and declaring, "Farewell, Lord Lee I shall see you in a few months' time, with luck."
Without any further delay, she exited the room and left to intercept San before he could leave without her.
Sohee barely managed to catch San as he ran out of the jail, undoubtedly coming out of his last talk with Eunseo.
"San!" she cried, launching a hand on his arm.
He gasped and whirled around before sighing in relief. "Sohee, you startled me. Are you all right? What did Lord Lee want?"
"He wanted to tell me of your agreement," she said, though she was loath to address her own agreement. If she told San about her engagement, he would demand that she cancel the deal right away. She would need to tell him later on, when there was absolutely nothing he could do about her decision. "And he wanted for me to go with you on your journey, in case Kim Hongjoon gets any ideas."
San smiled uneasily. "Do you doubt me?"
"I cannot. These were Lord Lee's orders. You might get into trouble if I remain—Eunseo might get in trouble. Besides, I want to go. I would like to make sure you succeed, that you return here in one piece. Do not ask me to remain in the forge for another season while you sail around the world, facing rogue pirates and evil spirits on the high seas. I could not bear it."
San bit his lip, exchanging glances from his friend to the harbour and the gathered ships. Seeing that he was still unsure, Sohee gently put a hand on his shoulder and guided his eyes back to her own.
"Together this time. Remember? You promised me."
San sighed and stared into her chocolate brown eyes. Seeing the pleading within them, he murmured, "Sohee... it will be dangerous. The ocean can be tolerable at best, and I fear Captain Hongjoon shall be less so. You are a beautiful woman, but on that ship, I can only protect you so much."
Sohee restrained laughter and crossed her arms. She was not as beautiful as San might declare—certainly not as lovely as Eunseo, anyway. Her eyes were an entrancing dark russet, that was true, and her hair was dark and wavy, but her lips were thin, and her nose small.
And so she retorted, "Captain Hongjoon will not be a worry of mine. You have taught me how to wield a sword. And I know this quest shall be dangerous. Why do you think I am coming? I am coming to protect you."
"But—you have never been sailing before, what if you get seasick?"
"If seasickness is the best argument you have in your defence, Choi San, you are going to lose this battle," insisted Sohee, trying not to laugh. "I am coming with you. And I shall be fine."
He stared at her for another moment before raising his hands in surrender. "Very well, it seems you have made up your mind. Come with me if you like, but do not say I did not warn you about the dangers of the ocean and the pirates."
She giggled at his exasperation and retorted, "If anything, I look forward to it."
San looked at her with suppressed amusement before putting a hand gently on her shoulder and announcing, "Then we have no time to waste. Hopefully we can locate Hongjoon quickly—he is, after all, the famous pirate king."
