3rd Person POV

At Jeolla province,

"......I'll write a talisman. You must burn it using a fish oil lamp and dump the ashes on the ring while thinking about her. If you both have feelings for each other, she should appear in front of you!", Jeongguk recalled the Shaman's words as he saw the talisman burning. As soon as it turned into ashes completely, he dumped them on the wedding ring while thinking about Soyoung....when he first saw her....when she tended to his wound. He didn't realize that he was smiling while thinking about her.

But after waiting for sometime his smile disappeared as nothing happened, "I knew this was not going to work!" Jeongguk laughed and took out his ring from the ashes. He was about to leave the room but suddenly it filled up with smoke. He sensed someone else's presence. He grasped his sword and turned around to put the sword on the trespasser's neck

"Jeongguk?!" Soyoung gasped looking into his eyes with confusion. Jeongguk dropped the sword as his eyes widened. She had her long hair reaching below her waist...he looked into her eyes taking a few steps closer to her....their faces were inches apart and they both were surprised.

Jeongguk narrowed his eyes at her, "So you're really a nekomata!"

Soyoung scanned the room and then raised an eyebrow at him, "Did you just summon me?" She asked as her claws became and fangs became visible. Jeonnguk noticed it and simply shrugged it off as if it wasn't a big deal.

"I thought we had a deal that you 7 won't interfere in my business and I won't interfere in yours!" She clenched her jaw and attacked him with her claws but Jeongguk grabbed her wrist and looked straight into her eyes.

"And we had another deal too that we are not supposed to catch feelings for each other!" Jeonnguk paused and then continued, "You know what was the condition for summoning you? Only if both of us had feelings for each other, we could be summoned."

Soyoung's eyes widened as she tried to free herself from Jeongguk's grip, "Y-you must have been mistaken!"

He came closer to her, "Is it so?" He smirked and opened his coat

Soyoung stared into his eyes being speechless as he smiled at her and covered her with his coat, "I don't know why you are without your overcoat....its pretty cold you know?!" He said while while trying to tuck  her locks behind her ears but she grabbed his arm and looked into his eyes.

"I think you look better with open hair!" He smiled.

"I-umm... y-you....YOU SUMMONED ME WHEN I WAS GETTING READY TO TAKE A BATH....AHEM! NOW SEND ME BACK!!! I'VE THINGS TO DO!" She pushed him away a bit and cleared her throat awkwardly.

Jeongguk looked at her, "I don't know how to send you back!"

"What do you mean by you don't know how to send me back??!! You're the one who summoned me!" Soyoung raised a brow at him.

"Yes but aren't you suppose to disappear on your own?! Like that's how it happens, right?! I've read in novels that you summon a supernatural being....get done with your business with them.....they disappear.....until and unless they want to stay for evil reasons!" Jeongguk narrowed his eyes at her, "Are you evil?!"

Soyoung rubbed her temples, "You are so problematic! I can't believe you...Oh God!" She glared at him, "Sir Jeongguk, you've got everything wrong about me! I'm a human who can turn into a cat not a cat who can turn into a human."

Jeongguk raised a brow, "That's the same thing!"

"YAA HOW'S THAT THE SAME THING HUH?! I'M NOT A SUPERNATURAL BEING, I'M A HUMAN BEING WITH SUPERNATURAL POWERS JUST LIKE THE SEVEN OF YOU....THERE'S A DIFFERENCE!!!!"

"Ok Ok! I got you! Why are you yelling at me...aish! I'll go and meet the shaman to find out a way to send you back-"

"FORGET IT! I'VE WORK HERE ANYWAYS!"

Jeongguk stared at her being dumbfounded.

"What?! What are you staring at?!"

"Nothing! I was just regretting my life choices....AHEM! I'll write a letter to the hyungs informing that you're here!" He said and sat down to write a letter.

.......................

At Cha mansion,

"Soyoung are you done?" Iseul knocked on the door of the bath chamber but got no reply.

"Soyoung?! Are you sleeping?!" She knocked again.

"I'm coming in!" She opened the door and went inside only to find no one except the smoke inside the room.

Iseul's eyes widened as she looked around for Soyoung's traces.

"S-she won't go out without telling me! There isn't even a window here that would prove that she has been kidnapped or something. D-did she vanish into thin air? A-and what is all these smoke?!" She picked Soyoung's overcoat from the floor. "Her clothes are not here either!" She looked around carefully for more evidences but couldn't find anything else.

"Ahh Soyoung....where did you go?!" She sat on the floor and rubbed her temples, "Ugh no no...pull yourself together, Iseul! I must let the knights know!"

Iseul went to find the knights and heard their voices from a room, she knocked on that room's door and heard Jin's voice, "Who's there?!"

"It's me...Iseul. I need to inform you something important, sir!"

"Come in!"

Iseul went in and bowed....everyone was there except Yunki, "My lady is missing!"

The knights looked at each other and then Jin asked, "What do you mean?"

"She was taking a bath but when I went to call her, she wasn't there anymore!" Iseul explained.

"Are you sure that she didn't transform into a cat and then went out or something?!" Jimin asked Iseul with a smirk.

Iseul's eyes widened with shock.

"JIMIN!" Hosung elbowed Jimin in his 

"Oww...what?? I was just checking with the possibilities!" Jimin said in his defense as Jin, Taehyun and Namjun looked at Iseul for an answer.

Iseul gulped and replied, "I see that you all have found out who she is but no I certain that she didn't go out like that....she never does that without informing me!"

"I'll go and look around if I find something suspicious!" Hosung informed before leaving the room.

Jin looked at Namjun, "Can you check using your power?!"

Namjun nodded and closed his eyes, "She's nowhere near the range of 12 kms!"

That's when a knock was heard on the window. Taehyun went towards it and pulled back the curtains to reveal a dove knocking on the glass with its beck. He quickly opened the window and the dove flew in to sit on his shoulder, "Who are you, little birdie?" He gently grabbed the dove and found out a letter tied to its leg.

"That must be letter from Jeongguk!" Jin said.

"I didn't find any traces of lady Soyoung!" Hosung returned and declared. Iseul became more anxious upon hearing that.

"Lady Soyoung is with Jeongguk!" Taehyun said.

"Huh?!" Everyone looked at Taehyung.

"This is Jeongguk! Lady Soyoung is with me and she is safe...I'll explain everything later!" Taehyun read the letter out loud for everyone to hear.

"Huh?! How on earth did she go there?!" Jimin wondered.

"We can ask that once Jeongguk returns but at least she is safe!" Hosung said as Iseul sighed with relief.

"We must keep this a secret from mother and father because we won't be able to explain how she went to Jeongguk!" Jin said as everyone else agreed.

"Ahh I heard that mother wants you to spend tonight with lady Soyoung, what are you going to do about it, hyung?!" 

"We need a substitute!" Jin looked at Iseul.

.............................

At Jeolla province,

"Oh Lord! So much has happened since I left the mansion!" Jeongguk rubbed his temples and then looked at Soyoung, "But you shouldn't have followed father to the courtesan house alone....it was too dangerous!" He looked concerned.

"Don't worry about me. You know what I am, no one can harm me easily." Soyoung gave him a reassuring smile and got up, "Now....you better help me!"

"Why should I help you?!" Jeongguk asked while getting up too.

"Because you're always creating problems for me?! First you brought Donghyung and now- Ahh right! Donghyung! Where is he?!

"A nobleman adopted him!"

"Oh Thank God! At least he can be happy now!"

Jeongguk nodded, "What are you planning to do now?!"

"We've to take that kisaeng out of the house first!" Soyoung said.

"I've a plan!" Jeongguk smirked.

"You do?! What is it?!" Soyoung's eyes twinkled.

"It'll be like killing two birds with one stone!" Jeongguk smirked, "It's about time I pay back my father!"

"What are you planning to do?!" Soyoung narrowed her eyes at Jeongguk.

"Let's go...I'll explain on the way!" Jeongguk grabbed her arm.

"Before that....can I borrow your clothes?!" She asked

"Why?!" He looked at her.

"Because it's hard to run expeditions in these clothes!" She tilted her head at him.

"But why should I give you my clothes?!" He raised an eyebrow.

She frowned, "BECAUSE YOU SUMMONED-"

"OK OKKK!" He opened the cupboard and gave her a set of his clothes. "I'LL BE WAITING OUTSIDE!" He went outside, closing the door behind him.

"He never listens unless and until I yell at him!" She shook her head.

...................................

At Cha mansion,

Jin made sure that no one was around his room before closing the room and turning around to face a woman, "You can remove your veil now if you want!"

The woman was dressed in a red silk gown, she removed her veil.

Jin looked at her face for awhile before clearing his throat and breaking the eye contact, "You're looking beautiful in that, miss Iseul!"

"T-thank you, sir!" She bowed awkwardly.

"Umm....you can sleep on the bed! I've work to finish...I'll be in my study!" He said and was about to leave.

"Sir!!"

He looked at her, "Yes?!"

"I don't think its my place to be here!" She looked down.

"What do you mean?!"

"I-I don't feel so comfortable in doing this, sir!" She knelt down. "It feels like I'm betraying Soyoung. You're married to her...even though you both might not be in a relationship, you both are still husband and wife and as her friend and lady-in-waiting, it is like a sin I'm committing by being here!"

Jin listened to her carefully and proceeded to pull her up before hesitating and pulling back his arms, "Iseul, get up!"

Iseul got up slowly.

"I understand where your point is coming from but this is to help Soyoung so you're not betraying her. If you won't do this, then we'll have to deal with multiple problems....we're already having enough problems. Please try to be considerate?!" Jin requested.

She looked at him for awhile and measured her options before nodding with a sigh, "I will obey your order, sir!"

"It's not an order...its a request!" Jin smiled and pointed at the bed, "Take some rest...you must be tired!"

Iseul nodded and bowed as Jin went to his study!

........................................

At Jeolla province,

Jeongguk was standing outside waiting for Soyoung when the mistress of the village came towards him, "Why are you standing outside in the cold, young master?!" she asked.

"Oh I was waiting my wife!"

"Huh?! Wife?!"

That's when Soyoung came out wearing Jeongguk's clothes, "Here take your coat....its cold!" She gave him back his coat and noticed the lady, "Who's she?!" She asked.

"She is someone I'm grateful to...whenever father exiled me, she took care of me!" Jeongguk explained.

"She's your wife?! She is really pretty!" The lady smiled.

Soyoung looked at her for a moment and then smiled back, "Thank you for taking care of him....he is so problematic, right?!"

"FOLLOW ME BEFORE I DECIDE TO LEAVE YOU HERE ALONE!" Jeongguk said and stormed off towards his horse.

Soyoung giggled and ran after him, "Wait for me....."

The lady looked at them with a smile and teary eyes till they were out of her sight.

Jeongguk hopped on his horse and held out his hand for Soyoung. She ignored it and hopped on the horse by herself.

"Hold me tightly!"

"I don't want to!"

Jeongguk pulled the reigns of his horse and the horse reared.

"AHH...." Soyoung quickly grabbed his waist as she was about to fall.

He chuckled as the horse started to run.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!"

"I told you to hold me tightly!" He giggled.

"You're seriously so problematic!" She hit on his back playfully.

"They say that you shouldn't hit your husband!"

"Shut up and tell me about your plan!"

"Ok so....."

.............................

At Cha mansion,

Jin came out of his study and saw Iseul standing near the window staring at the moon.

"What are you doing?! I thought you were sleeping!" He went near her.

"Oh I couldn't sleep...I'm worried about Soyoung!" She sighed looking at the moon

"Lady Soyoung and you're really close huh?!"

She nodded, "We're like best friends....we grew up together!"

"You grew up together?"

"Yes! When I was 5 years old, my father sold me off to Lord Seo's mansion as a slave. Lord Seo took care of me as his own daughter ever since then. Soyoung considers me as her best friend and sister and that is why I am forever indebted and thankful to both Soyoung and Lord Seo. And that is why....." She paused to look at Jin, ".....I will never do anything that would hurt her in any way!" She completed her sentence.

Jin nodded, "I understand! So did you also study alongside Soyoung?!" He asked.

Iseul shook her head no, "Lord Seo did arrange for my studies but I wasn't interested but I know the basics like I can read certain letters and write my name. Also I've picked up knowledge on herbs from Soyoung."

"If I teach you then will you be interested?!", Jin asked out of nowhere.

Iseul looked at him with surprise, "I respect your offer, sir but I don't think that I should dare to do that!" 

"I personally think that you should study!" Jin went towards his book shelf, picked a book and gave it to Iseul, "This was the first novel father gave me when I was a child! The language isn't tough....you should read it!"

Iseul took the book and looked at the cover, it read 'the great warrior'. She looked at him and asked, "I dare to be so bold then may I ask why do you think I should study, sir?!"

"I actually think that each and everyone in this country should study and I believe that we should start from our own house first to bring a change in the whole country." Jin explained with a smile and went to his bed, "I'm tired, miss Iseul!" 

"I-I will go to the comfort room, please excuse me!" Iseul bowed and quickly left before he could reply anything.

Iseul was flustered so she covered her face with the veil and walked down the corridor to get some fresh air. That's when she came across Lady Park...she was about to bow but recalled that she was in Soyoung's disguise.

"Lady Soyoung is that you?! I heard you were sleeping with Sir Jin?! Did he kick you out?!" Lady Park scanned her from top to bottom before her eyes landed on Iseul's hands. She narrowed her eyes...Iseul noticed it and quickly hid her hands behind her back.

"Lady Soyoung?! What are you doing here?! Come let me escort you to Jin hyung's room!" Hosung appeared in right time and took Iseul with him.

"Huh! Her 7 knights in shinning armour!" Lady Park rolled her eyes.

...........................

In the village where Lord Seo was staying,

"My Lord, please drink it!" The maid in-charge of Lord Seo gave him a bowl of tonic.

"I will! Keep it there!" He pointed at the table.

The maid did so and then left the room.

He took the bowl, went towards the window and poured the entire tonic on the grass, "I hate drinking it!"

He blew out the candles and then went to his bed.

.

.

.

"FATHER!!! SAVE MEEEEEE!!!!!!" Soyoung yelled.

"NOBODY CAN SAVE YOU!" Sian grabbed her arm.

"YOUR MAJESTY, HAVE MERCY!!!!!!!!" Lord Seo begged.

"GUARDS!!!! PUT HER TO DEATH!" The guards came and started to drag Soyoung away.

"FATHERRRRRRRR...."

"SOYOUNGGGG!!!" Lord Seo woke up and sat on his bed while sweating and breathing heavily.

He looked around with wide eyes only to see an unfamiliar surrounding!

"W-where am I?!" He tiptoed towards the door and heard some voices.

"Did you give him the tonic?!"

"Yes! I did!"

"Good! We can't let him regain his memory!"

Lord Seo's eyes widened, "D-did His Majesty lock me up here using an amnesia causing drug?!"

"I-I have to save Soyoung!" He went near the window and carefully went out from it, making sure not to make noise.

"I must reach the capital at any cost! Don't worry, my child. I'll save you...." He started running with his bare foot.

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