Soyoung's POV

As the carriage stopped and the door opened, I went out and saw the seven of them standing outside the mansion.

How funny that I don't even know all of their names! I scanned the area and saw a few servants too.

Since I couldn't spot Lord Cha, I went in front of the knights and bowed. They bowed too. Iseul bowed at them and they nodded.

"Lord Cha is at the palace feast so in his absence, his eldest son, Master Jin, will greet you.....my lady!" A servant explained and the man looking like a Greek God came forward.

"Welcome, my lady!" Jin said

"Thank you!" I said.

"Please bring her things inside!" He ordered.

"Yes, master!" The servants bowed and went towards the carriage to unload my stuff.

"Please come inside!" He ushered me in. Iseul followed me.

As soon as I entered the mansion, a middle-aged woman was standing there.

"You can leave!" She said to Jin. He bowed politely and left.

She came near me and smiled, "I'm your mother-in-law!"

"Oh!" I bowed.

She hugged me, "You're so beautiful! I'm so glad to see another woman here after all these years!"

"Ahh-" I was surprised by his kindness.

She broke the hug and looked at me, "I've always wanted a daughter....but he......." She sighed as I stared at her face for her to continue.

"Ahh...why am I talking about the past. Anyways, let me show you your room!"

"Something is fishy," Iseul whispered, I nodded before following my mother-in-law.

She guided us through the magnificent living room towards a corridor, decorated with flowers. We passed by many doors before she stopped in front of one, "This is your room and your lady-in-waiting can take the room beside yours!"

"Thank you so much, mother!" I bowed and so did Iseul. She smiled at us.

"By the way, there is a tea party today that the noble ladies have arranged in your honour, but before going there, you must sort things out with your husbands!"

"Pardon?" I asked

"Come with me!"

I obeyed but as Iseul was about to follow us, she stopped her.

"Not you! You can arrange the rooms while we are gone!"

Iseul looked at me and I nodded.

She guided me towards the living room.

"Call my sons!" She ordered and a servant bowed and left. I took this moment to look around the room. There was a huge chandelier hanging from the ceiling, paintings were hanging on the wall, a huge tea table was placed at the centre and chairs were placed all around it. Beautiful flower vases were placed on the table and the room had a huge window overviewing the beauty of the garden.

"Is it to your liking, daughter?"

"Oh? Ahh...yes, mother!" I bowed and she nodded.

"I hope you can live with us comfortably. Your father-in-law can be a bit harsh but my sons know how to respect women properly!"

Well...can't deny that.

"Please take good care of my sons.... especially my youngest son, Jeongguk...he is the most precious to me!"

"Ahh....y-yes, mother!" I nodded and she smiled.

"Mother, did you call us?" Jin came in and asked followed by the others.

"Hmm....it seems that since the wedding was a rush, none of you knows each other well. So I would like you all to get to know each other better...ahh and since there are seven days in the week and I've seven sons, each day one of you will spend time with her....today being Monday, Jin will spend time with her."

My eyes widened as I stared at her.

"MOTHER-" Jimin was cut off.

"I don't want to hear anything...I want healthy relationships in this household. I don't want to re-watch the tragedy that happened 15 years ago." She sighed and looked at me and then at her sons, "I shall leave you all now! Make sure to get along with each other!"

Saying that she left.

"Ugh...I can't believe this!" The man with feline features rubbed his temples, while Jin turned towards me.

"Since we will live under the same roof, I think we should at least know each other a lit bit anyways?" He asked and all of them turned around to face me.

I nodded, "Right!"

"Let's have a seat first!" He said and all of us sat down. All seven of them were sitting across from me.

"Let's start by officially introducing ourselves...I'm Cha Jin, the oldest, age 29 years." He said.

"I'm Cha Yunki, age 28." He said with an expressionless face.

"My name is Cha Hosung, 27 years!" He smiled.

"I'm his fraternal twin, Cha Namjun!" He pointed at Hosung.

"Cha Jimin, 25!" He said looking towards the window and I rolled my eyes.

"Cha Taehyun and Jimin and I are fraternal twins!" He said with a faint smile.

"And I'm the youngest one, Cha Jeongguk, age 23!" He said with an unreadable expression.

Is he ok with me or not? Does he hate me or not? It's just so difficult to figure out what he is thinking.

"Nice to know your names finally!" I smiled, "I am Seo Soyoung, 22 years old!"

They nodded before Namjun cleared his throat and spoke, "So....we heard that you are educated?"

I nodded.

"Who was your teacher?" Namjun asked.

"Why do you want to know? Do you want to give me a job based on my qualifications?" I asked. He was about to open his mouth when I spoke again, "But since you asked.....Master Lee...I got my education from Master Lee!"

This time Jimin asked me a question, "So do you also have some special power?" He smirked.

I thought he was going to ignore my existence but now he is interested.

I rolled my eyes and asked, "Special powers?"

"Hmm...Master Lee used to make us meditate for hours to increase our willpower and we all developed some special abilities....." He smirked.

Oh! So they are also Master Lee's students!

"....for example..." He continued, "Jin hyung can read minds..."

I straightened up and looked at Jin, "Really?"

"Yes...conscious, unconscious, sub-conscious...I can read it all...but only when I touch the other person's hand or put my hand on their forehead...want to try?" I raised his hand

"No thanks!" I turned towards Jimin to continue.

He still had that smirk on his face as he continued, "Yunki hyung can hypnotize people."

Yunki nodded slowly, "I will stare into someone's eyes for just three seconds and they'll be hypnotized!"

"Woah!" I was truly amazed.

"Hosung hyung can talk to animals...." Jimin continued as Hosung smiled proudly.

"Namjun hyung can see anything and everything within 12 km, just by closing his eyes," Jimin said and Namjun nodded.

"I can see and talk to ghosts and other supernatural beings." He proudly said.

"Taehyun can run as fast as a Cheetah." He pointed at Taehyun who shrugged casually.

"And our golden maknae, Jeongguk.....he is just multitalented...he has telekinetic powers, his sense of smell is very strong and his physical strength is greater than all of us." He said while looking at Jeongguk who just simply sat there without any reaction.

He seems to be good at everything but he is so quiet and mysterious.

"So this is what makes you all the greatest warriors of this kingdom!" I smiled at them.

"You can say that!" Jimin smirked and leaned forward, "Now...do you have any special power?"

"I do!" I said and they looked at each other. Each of them became curious at once.

"Really? So what is it?" Jimin asked.

"I can......" My eyes landed on Hosung, he was staring at me curiously, "I can talk to animals too!"

Jimin raised a brow as he turned towards the window, "Can you hear the birds chirping?"

"Hmm..."

"What are they saying?" Taehyun asked.

I looked at the birds and then back at Jimin who had a smirk on, "They are talking about their nest....they seem to be a couple!"

Jimin turned towards Hosung, whose eyes were open wide.

"That's right!" Hosung said and they were all surprised as if they didn't at all expect it to be correct.

"Ahem! So uhh...do you do anything else other than manipulating and mixing poison?" Yunki asked. "Your attitude somehow tells me that you are behind all those murders that are going on around lately!" He added with a mischievous smile.

"Do you all do anything other than break into people's houses at night?" I smiled, "Your attitude somehow tells me that you all are behind all those thefts that are going on around lately!" I finished with the same mischievous smile.

They shifted in their seats.

Jin cleared his throat and spoke up first, "Since it's my day with you.....I'll escort you to the tea party, my lady!"

"Thank you! I shall get dressed!" I stood up and left.

Iseul's POV

I was pacing around the room when Soyoung walked in.

"What happened out there?" I asked.

"Nothing special! I need to go to a tea party so help me to get dressed!" She said looking around the room.

I stared at her for a moment before speaking again, "Ok! I'll be at the herb store while you're gone!"

"You'll have to do that every day from now onwards. I'll have to lie low because it seems like the knights are suspicious of me.....I'll just stay indoors and spy on them because they are definitely up to something."

"Ok! Ahh and one more thing....what are you going to do about....umm you know...queen?"

She turned towards me, "What about her? She is a cat who comes to us whenever she feels like it, isn't she?"

"H-huh? Oh! Y-yes!" I nodded.

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

At the palace,

Yeji poured wine into two glasses and presented them to both the kings, who were sitting alone in Sian's royal villa. Both the kings were already half drunk.

"I'm always pleased with your hospitality towards me, Sian!" King Wang raised his glass.

"My pleasure!" Sian clinked his glass against his and smiled.

"Allow me to end this feast with a special gift!" Sian looked at Yeji and nodded.

The lights went dim.

"What's happening?" Wang looked around and just then Yeji started to sing in her sweet voice and King Wang's eyes widened.

Wang, "Wow! Her voice is amazing!"

"I know right!" Sian smirked and sipped his wine.

Yeji cat walked towards Sian while singing and touched him seductively, to which neither he nor his body reacted. He just simply grabbed her waist and pulled her down to meet her eyes.

"Ahh-"

"I told you to impress our guest tonight...not me.....my dear!" He whispered in her ears, sending chills down her spine. She could smell the alcohol on his breath.....she was a bit taken aback.

As she was trying to process Sian's attitude, he pushed her towards King Wang's direction. She skillfully disguised her fall as a dance move. She went near Wang and started to dance around him. Wang smiled at her, taking her hand....he gently placed a kiss on her knuckles.

On the other hand, Sian sipped his wine and stared at the door.

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

Soyoung's POV

"Ahem! We're here, my lady!" Jin opened the carriage door and held his hand out for me.

I looked at his hand and then at him, "Ahh...thank you for escorting me here!" I bowed, lifted my skirt and got out of the carriage without accepting his hand. In front of me, was standing an elegant-looking building.

Jin closed the door and turned towards me.

"This is where the noble ladies gather for a get-together sometimes." He said.

"I see!"

"Be careful! I just heard a few rumours on the way!"

"Like what?"

"Like.....the nobles are planning to kill you?!"

"Hah!" I turned towards him, "Doesn't my husbands want to kill me too?"

He stared at me for a while and then replied, "Please try to place your trust in us! We are not as bad as you think!"

"Trust you all? After you all broke into my house? After threatening to kill me? I don't even know what you all intend to do! And....even if I wish to trust you, I can't....because what do you expect from a lady who has grown up while witnessing other women getting tortured by men?"

He looked down and sighed before nodding, "I understand where your emotions and personality are coming from but still....be careful!" He looked at me and added, "I'll leave now....the carriage will be here to take you back after you are done!"

I just nodded unable to form any words....he nodded too before mounting his horse and riding away. I watched him disappear before approaching the entrance of the building.

3rd person POV

"Lady Cha Soyoung is entering!" The guards announced

"Oh finally!" The ladies stood up as the door opened.

"Woah...s-she is pretty...but isn't that a way too bold colour?" The lady wearing a pink gown whispered to the lady wearing a blue gown.

"Stop that! Don't forget our real job!" The lady in a blue gown whispered back.

"The knights are so handsome and she is so pretty...they are a match made in heaven!" The lady wearing a grey gown whispered and all the other ladies stared at her in disbelief.

Soyoung gracefully walked towards them.

"Welcome to the tea party, lady Soyoung! Please have a seat!" They welcomed her. Soyoung smiled and sat down at the round table, followed by the others.

"Let's introduce ourselves, ladies!" The lady in blue said. "I'm Mrs. Kim, the wife of the minister of treasury and the highest in status among all of them...hahaha!"

Soyoung just tilted her head at her and smirked.

"I'm Areum, my grandfather was the father-in-law of the former king!" The lady in the pink gown replied and Soyoung nodded at her.

"I'm Chayoung, the widow of the former minister of education!" The lady in grey introduced herself and Soyoung nodded at her too.

"I-I'm Deiji, t-the magistrate's wife!" The lady wearing a purple gown said in a low voice. Soyoung looked at her...the woman looked young and shy...she had her head bowed.

"Her status is the lowest among all of us...hahaha!" Mrs Kim laughed while pouring tea. "Areum, please pass the cup to Deiji!"

As Areum passed the cup to Deiji, and she accepted the cup, Soyoung saw her hands were bruised.

"Here's your tea, lady Soyoung!" Mrs Kim passed the cup to Soyoung with a smirk.

Soyoung looked at the cup, then at Mrs Kim and then her eyes travelled to all the other women present in the room. Areum had her eyes glued on Soyoung as she sipped her tea, Chayoung smiled at Soyoung, and Deiji was sweating for some reason.

"Why don't you introduce yourself to us officially, Lady Soyoung?" Mrs Kim asked while pushing the teacup towards Soyoung when she saw that she wasn't accepting the cup.

Soyoung grabbed the handle of the cup and smiled at them, "I'm Soyoung! Nice to meet you all!"

"Oh my! Lady Soyoung, your introduction isn't complete if you don't say whose wife or whose daughter you are!" Lady Chayoung put a hand on her mouth in surprise.

"Haha...probably she doesn't know the etiquettes of the nobles yet...after all, her father kept her confined in his mansion- oh wait! Or is it because you're embarrassed to say that you are married to seven husbands? Don't worry we won't call you a whore... hahaha!" Mrs Kim mocked.

Soyoung tucked a strand of her hair behind her ears, "Ahh...my bad! Let me introduce myself properly!" She smiled and crossed her legs.

"I'm Seo Cha Soyoung, the only literate woman existing not only in this room but also in this entire kingdom!" She smirked.

Mrs Kim clenched her jaw, Deiji lifted her head and looked at Soyoung with wide eyes, Chayoung had her mouth open, and Areum gasped.

Mrs Kim sat straight in her chair and cleared her throat, "Ahem! Please drink your tea, lady Soyoung....or else it'll get cold! Let's just get this done with already...I've many works to do!" Mrs Kim grabbed her cup and sipped.

"Sure...I shall do that!" Soyoung smiled and lifted the cup to her lips.

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

In the palace,

"Siannnnnn!!!! Please get a hold of yourself!" Yeji grabbed Sian's arm, who was stumbling around

"HOW DARE YOU ADDRESS ME BY MY NAME? CALL ME 'YOUR MAJESTY!" Sian yelled, "AND LEAVE ME ALONE! I HATE YOU.....I HATE ALL WOMEN!" He pushed her away but then tripped and fell.

"MY KING!!!!!" Eunsang rushed towards the king and grabbed his arm.

"Leave him, Sir Eunsang! I'll take care of him!" Yeji grabbed Sian's other arm.

Eunsang glared at her, "You can never take care of him when he is drunk, you foolish girl!"

"STOP IT! I'LL FLY TO MY ROOM!" Sian pushed both of them away and started to float.

"H-HE...HE IS FLYING?" Yeji was shocked.

"MY KING!!!!! COME BACK TO YOUR SENSES!" Eunsang grabbed his leg and pulled him down.

"W-what i-is h-he?" Yeji asked while still in shock.

"That's none of your business! Did the Western king go back to his room?"

"Y-yes, s-sir!" Yeji bowed.

"Then you get lost too and forget what you saw here...else I'll kill you and leave no evidence behind!"

Yeji quickly stood up, bowed and ran away in fear and shock.

"That's right...kill that woman..." Sian said clumsily pointing towards her direction.

Eunsang sighed looking at Sian, "My king, I shall take you back to your room!" Eunsang put Sian's arm around his neck and grabbing his waist, he guided him towards his room.

"Eun! Why is it that no woman can make me happy?"

"Why don't you give me a chance, my king?!"

Sian pushed him away and Eunsang stared at him. Sian grabbed his collar and slammed him against the wall, "Lord Seo didn't show up.....WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?!"

"My king, your mood is fluctuating too much...let me take you to your room and you-"

Suddenly the lights on the corridor went out, the only available light was the light of the setting sun.

"My king....stop!"

"Sian grabbed Eunsang's neck with one hand and extended the other hand, suddenly a sword appeared in his hand.

"SIAN!" Eunsang's eyes went wide.

Sian lifted the sword as Eunsang shut his eyes.

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