Chapter 13: She's Been Sick.

CHAPTER 13: She's Been Sick.

Lee Cheong left the room silently, a dark tension emitting from his overly stable body. Su Mi, the ever-observant maid, couldn't help but notice his hurried exit and the way his eyes scanned all round corners, clearly trying to avoid detection. Curiosity dawned on her. Had he stolen something? Or was there something more interesting at play?

Driven by her uncontrollable curiousity, Su Mi entered the room. The sight that greeted her sent a jolt of fear through her. Chin Ari lay trembling on the bed, her eyes a chilling white, her breath coming in shallow gasps.

"My lady, what's wrong?" Su Mi rushed to her side, climbing onto the bed and gently shaking her shoulder. "Why are your eyes… oh my, you don't seem to be alright. Please wake up!"

Just then, Chin Sun burst into the room, her eyes widening in horror at the sight of her sister. "What happened to big sister?" she cried, climbing onto the bed beside Chin Ari.

"Quickly! Go and get someone to help!" Su Mi yelled, her voice laced with panic. "I don't know what happened to her, hurry!"

Chin Sun didn't hesitate. She raced out of the room, searching frantically for anyone who could help. Fate intervened when she bumped into Joon-woo, his face etched with concern as he emerged from another corridor.

"Something happened to big sister?" she gasped, barely able to catch her breath.

Joon-woo's heart lurched at the sight of her distress. "Calm down, Chin Sun," he said, his voice firm yet soothing. "Tell me what's wrong."

"It's Chin Ari," she stammered. "She's… she's not well. Her eyes are white, and she's shaking uncontrollably. We need help!"

Without another word, Joon-woo followed Chin Sun back to the room. Upon entering, he was met with the same unsettling scene – Chin Ari in a state of distress, Su Mi sitting helplessly beside her. He glared at Su Mi, suspicion clouding his face. "What did you do to her?" he demanded, his voice cold and laced with anger.

Su Mi recoiled, her eyes wide with hurt. "Nothing, young lord!" she exclaimed defensively. "I found her like this when I came in. I also saw Sir Lee Cheong leaving the room just before I entered."

Joon-woo's expression darkened upon hearing Lee Cheong's name. The pieces began to fall into place. Lee Cheong's suspicious behavior, Chin Ari's state – it all pointed towards something sinister. "Get the physician," he ordered curtly. Su Mi nodded frantically and went out of the room on a hurry.

Meanwhile, Joon-woo gently adjusted Chin Ari's position on the bed, rubbing her palms in an attempt to offer some comfort. Chin Sun, her eyes remained red from tears, mirrored his actions, rubbing her sister's other palm.

"Has this ever happened before?" Joon-woo asked, his voice laced with concern.

Chin Sun nodded slowly, a single tear tracing a path down her cheek. "Twice," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Once when… when father died, and the other…" she trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

Joon-woo's heart ached for Chin Sun and the pain she clearly carried. "The other?" he pressed gently.

Chin Sun hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "The other was when she was almost…" She clamped her mouth shut, unable to utter the horrifying truth.

Joon-woo understood. He didn't need her to finish the sentence. "Lee Cheong," he muttered, his voice a low growl. Everything now pointed towards a disturbing truth – Lee Cheong had attacked Chin Ari.

As they waited for the physician, Chin Bada and Ha-Joon burst into the room, their faces etched with worry. The sight of Chin Ari in such a state sent a fresh wave of panic through Chin Bada.

"Chin Ari!" she cried, rushing to her daughter's side. "Oh my goodness! What happened to her?"

Ha-Joon echoed Chin Bada's concern. "She was perfectly fine some minutes ago," she said, her voice laced with confusion.

Unable to contain her emotions any longer, Chin Sun threw herself into her mother's arms, tears streaming down her face. Chin Bada held her daughter close, offering silent comfort.

"She'll be fine," Chin Bada murmured, her voice shaky but determined. "Can I have some beetroot, fresh tea leaves, and red oil?"

"I'll inform the maids to get it all set up," Ha-Joon responded, her voice filled.

Ha-Joon bustled out of the room, her concern etched on her face. Chin Bada watched her go, a flicker of worry battling with the ever-present calmness. Joon-woo's question echoed in her mind: "Does this only happen when she experiences great shock?"

A cold fear settled in Chin Bada's stomach. It was a frightening possibility. Both previous episodes of Chin Ari's mysterious illness corresponded with moments of immense emotional trauma. The news of her father's death and the attempted assault – both events were so horrific they triggered.

As Ha-Joon returned with the maids and their supplies, Chin Bada set about preparing the concoction she hoped would ease her daughter's suffering. The familiar routine offered a sliver of comfort amidst the growing storm of worry. While she worked, she stole glances at Chin Ari, the sight of her daughter's pale white eyes sending shivers down her spine.

"This only happens once in a while, she'll be fine," Chin Bada murmured more to herself than anyone else. It was a mantra she repeated, a desperate attempt to ward off the fear consuming her.

However, the truth was far from certain. The physician's visits had always been frustratingly inconclusive. They offered no explanation, no cure, only confusion. "A special case," they muttered, leaving Chin Bada feeling helpless.

The thought of Chin Ari's future loomed large. What kind of life could she have with this weakened condition? Would any man be willing to take on such a burden? The answer seemed blank, and Chin Bada fiercely pushed it down. Her daughter deserved happiness, a chance at normalcy.

As Chin Bada finished applying the concoction, Chin Sun who had been forced to leave with Ha Joon burst back into the room, her defiance evident. "No!" she half-yelled, her voice trembling but firm. "I'm not leaving her. Someone did something to her, I know it!"

Ha-Joon tried to intervene but Chin Sun was resolute. Locking the door behind her, she sent a clear message – she wouldn't be swayed.

Joon-woo, who had been a silent observer throughout the ordeal, spoke up then. "I'll send some men to guard the door," he said, his voice hoarse with unspoken emotions.

Ha-Joon sighed, a heavy weight settling on her shoulders. "Once again, we have wronged you," she said to Chin Bada, her voice thick with regret. "It's all our fault."

Chin Bada, ever the stoic figure, surprised her with a gentle smile. "Madam Lee, you don't have to feel sorry. This isn't your fault."

Ha-Joon left, her heart heavy with the weight of the situation. Chin Bada was left alone with her thoughts, the silence in the room broken only by the soft gasps of her daughter.

Now, with the pieces slowly falling into place, a new question burned brightly in Chin Bada's mind: who, or what, was causing her daughter such immense emotional trauma? And how could she protect her daughter from it?...But the answer was yet uncertain, blank as usual.

--------------------------

A/N

Hey there 'Mighty readers', I hope You've been enjoying my book so far. Next update would be on Monday.

Do more by recommending my book,voting and commenting.