Chapter 8: Elegant.

CHAPTER 8: Elegant.

Waking up to the sound of humming birds is the best good morning gift I've ever gotten from nature.

By: Unknown.

Chin Bada explained their situation, her voice regaining its composure as she spoke. She told him about their village, the hardships they faced, and their decision to seek a better life in the Eastern Region.

Joon-woo listened intently, his expression unreadable. When she finished, he remained silent for a moment, his eyes fixed on some distant point. Chin Bada held her breath, unsure of what was going through his mind.

Finally, he spoke. "The Eastern Region is a vast and unforgiving land," he said, his voice serious. "The journey is fraught with danger, especially for travelers as unprepared as yourselves."

Chin Bada's heart sank. Had she made a terrible mistake?

"However," Joon-woo continued, a hint of a smirk reappearing on his lips, "perhaps I can offer some assistance."

His words sparked a flicker of hope within Chin Bada. Could this chance encounter with the Minister be a stroke of good luck? Could he be the key to a bring good fortune for her and her daughters?

He was about to ask if they where going to be his guest but swallowed his words when he heard the most sweetest and angelic voice he had ever heard.

"Mother", Chin Ari called when she noticed her mother wasn't beside her anymore. She rubbed her eyes gently before opening it. It was then she realized their predicament. "Mother!", She immidiately got off the carriage and ran towards her mother then stood beside her.

Lee Joon-Woo couldn't ignore the beauty standing not too far from him, she managed to steal his concrete heart with just her look and voice.

"Bow down, Hurry", Chin Bada said and pulled her wrist so she would act fast. Chin Bada could feel the man's gaze on her daughter and it made her feel unrest.

"Rise", he said and the three of them raised their head at the same time. He noticed Chin Ari was shievering slightly so he signalled to one of his men who went and returned with a very big and thick duvet and a cloak.

Chin Ari didn't understand what was going on but she could sense unrest in the atmosphere. She knew something was wrong somewhere, even when there wasn't.

Lee Joon-woo was surprised by her sharp reaction. But decided not to say anything instead choose to watch them.

"Young Lord, we aren't criminals, we are travellers and we're from another village as well", The carriage man hurriedly spat out not wanting to risk his life.

Joon-woo knew they weren't from that village cause he hadn't seen Chin Ari anywhere here before since he has been posted here two months ago, though his tenure is almost over, he only has a month more to go.

"Please, don't hurt us. We are just travelers, if only we had known that this is an illegal route we would have known better and taken another route"

Chin Bade pulled Chin At is wrist gentle but Chin AI freed herself thinking her mother was only stopping her from talking so as to keep them safe.

"You can take me. Don't hurt my mother and sister", Chin Ari didn't mean it but at this moment she thought a little bit drama was needed to ignite the speed of their freedom.

Joon-woo was enjoying this mother-daughter's drama displaying in front of him but the drama had to come to an end sooner or later. "I'll take all of you in. If you don't mind, you can be my guest", Joon-woo said.

The carriage man immidiately laid on his belly. "Live long young lord". He was glad. He thought his hope already shattered like that of a glass stick by a bolt of lightening. The grief feelings and voices that kept telling him that would be the last time he would ever be free vanished into thin air.

"We don't mind accepting your request my Lord, coincidentally we are also looking for somewhere to stay", Chin Bada sounded so grateful as she bowed deeply, Chin Ari also followed the lead.

He signalled his men to hand the duvet over to them to warm them up in this harsh weather. The weather had been unfriendly lately and this only happens when a natural disaster is not too far from occuring.

Chin Ari walked towards the carriage and carried the sleeping beauty who didn't know all what just happened now. She carried her so gently so she won't wake. She knew how annoying it is when ones dream gets interrupted by some being.

"Ah, you are becoming heavy", Chin Ari complained lightly.

Joon-woo's men lead them to the mansion which was not to far from them. Chin Bada and her daughters took the carriage while Joon-woo's men used their horses.

"He's a nice man, don't you think?", Chin Bada was the first person to raise a topic on their way to the mansion.

Chin Ari didn't have much to say so she just nodded while staring balnkly into the silent night, listening attentively to the creepy sounds of howls.

"Do you like him?", Chin Ari didn't expect that question coming her way so it caught her by surprise.

"Mother!", She complained. This is a man she had hardly met. She didn't even see his face clearly earlier. How could her mother be so forward.....She suddenly felt like coming down from the carriage cause she knew this would become another round of endless topic.

"What?". Chin Bada on the other hand felt nothing was wrong with her simple question. "It's just Yes or No. Not misjudge me. It's not what you are thinking, I only thought of asking".

Chin Ari sighed and looked at her sleepy sister who was hugging her neck tightly. "We just met mother, and.....I don't even know him. Look at him, he's so rich and influencial, there's no way we can match. Please don't bring this up again". She sounded exhausted. The topic drained all the energy left in her.

"There you go again. You are twenty already!. Every man that came to ask for your hand in marriage, you say the same thing", Chin Bada looked away not wanting to remember those moments. Those moments where so embarassing and the most painful fact was the fact that Chin Ari never felt bad and kept on refusing all of them like they were a roll of food that she's allergic to.

"Oh mother, can we just close this topic?. Do you want me to get married into a family I won't be able to meet up with their standards. They won't even welcome me and that would be a huge problem for me in my marriage, I'm happy with you and Sun, I'm got complaining". She was trying to hold back her emotions. Her mother was nice to talk to but when it comes to marriages...it's sometimes ends horribly.

Chin Bada didn't utter a word about marriage anymore instead she changed the topic."If your father were to be alive today, we won't be lacking this much....I miss him". There was longing in her eyes. Her emotions were brewing and she was at the verge of breaking down. It's been six years and it looked just like six days. Still so fresh in the memory.

"I miss him too. Can we not talk about this anymore now, if Sun should hear about his death you know how she'll react", Chin Ari said, using Chin Sun as a perfect excuse.Why was their mother bringing up such emotional topics tonight, does she want them to breakdown again?.

*Creak*

The strecthing sound of the mighty gates being opened was heard, it was so loud Chin Sun jolted up thinking they were being attacked.

Chin Ari smiled when Chin Sun woke up with so much fear and confusion on her face. "Don't worry, we are alright, we found help, you can sleep back now", Chin Ari patted her head. Though Chin Sun didn't remove her hand away from her sister's neck nor did she sleep at all.

The men moving in front of them moved inside and they followed suit. The mansion was so big and tall, Chin Ari can swear she has never seen a house this big. This mansion is about fifty times bigger than their house. No exaggeration.

Joon-woo already left to do some other things but his people had already been informed about the guests they'll be welcoming. A few maids were outside, ready to welcome the Chin's when they move a bit closer to them. But they were surprised and shocked at the same time. Are they sure these are the right guests, these people don't look anywhere near wealthy at all.

But someone in particular caught their attention, she was carrying a girl. It was Chin Ari. She looked so beautiful and elegant, even in her below average mode of dressing.

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A/N

Happy Easter To All Of My Readers. I Made This Chapter Extra Longer Just For You. I Hope You Love It.