Behind The Reckoning Shadows: Smile Awaits You
Chapter 1
• Whenever a transmigration happens, despite the hurdles every female lead leads a happy ending.•
•The answer to this question is...•
• But, I, Sung Joo-hee, an ordinary Korean student was on my way returning home....
—KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!—
«Collapse»
• When I opened my eyes...
• It wasn't anything I read in any novel about. Just like panorama, those memories came rushing into my head...
Na-ri [Lady-in-waiting]
"Milady! I'm coming in..." <She putting down a tray>
• Na-ri, my lady-in-waiting whom I first met upon waking up in this world put down my breakfast.•
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"Oh, you are here, Na-ri." ['Hm.. That same cold bread.'.]
• It's been two weeks since I transmigrated into the body of Lee Sora, a war lord's unfavored daughter in the countryside.•
• I have begun to realize that...this is hardly any novel.. Am I in some other world?
Na-ri [Lady-in-waiting]
"Milady, my lord's been calling you. When are you going to respond?" <Worried>
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"That man really has the audacity to summon me after I almost died..." «pondering»
Na-ri [Lady-in-waiting]
"Milady, you avoided his summons thrice now.. Are you still unwell? I'm afraid, he might get angry.."
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"Then let him wait. I'm in no hurry to please him." «yawns»
Na-ri [Lady-in-waiting]
"Milady?!!! What are you saying?!! ‹Super worried seeing her›
• The tragedy in Sora's life began with her father Lee Jeong-gi's decision. As far as my memory serves...
• Lee Sora was born into the Lee family between Lee Jeong-gi and Gyu-sun. Gyu-sun was Jeong-gi's favorite woman at one point. Sora's mother died shortly after childbirth. Sora was harassed by her family members and half-siblings for being an illegitimate child.•
• But, Sora's father, Lee Jeong-gi who never cared about her deciding to overlook the harsh treatment she received from his other wives. Even, he expressed dissatisfaction at her for Gyu-sun's infidelity.•
• Yet, foolish Sora kept being hopeful about receiving his attention someday having him as his family...
—'Dear Father?.. If....I become a good daughter to you, will you look at me?'—
• Lee Jeong-gi had arranged Sora's marriage with a rich merchant's ruined son. Sora's world was shattering before her eyes.•
⟨Outside of the patriarch's room⟩
—" I'll not marry that man!!! Let me meet father!! "—
—'You can't enter. Go back.'—
—'His lordship hasn't permitted a wretch like you. Scram!'—<Push>
⟨Desperate⟩—"Let me in. I can convince father!!"—⟨FALL BACK; Argghhhh!⟩
• Sora's eyes brimmed with hope as the door of the patriarch's room creaked open.•
•Those unkind eyes set on Sora who kneeled down to plead him.•
•She could no matter what accept marriage to that lout Ak Doongwok who's been married several times and his wives were mostly beaten to death.•
• Before she could say anything...
⟨GRASP⟩—'How dare you defy my decision?'—<tilting it up>
—"I-I.. Father—." —⟨Fear⟩
«Cold»—'If I tell you to die, you die. If I tell you to marry, you'll marry, you worthless child."—«Unkind»
• Sora was locked up in her room in the annex for a few days before the wedding date.
—Hahhahaaaahhaaa.. You trash, serves you right!—
• They cut off her food supply conniving with the servants.•
—Daughter of that bitch, you deserve death! —
—Marrying that lecher would bring you eternal hell, hahaha..!—
—Blame yourself for not dying with that wench!—‹bottle a vial of poison›
• Her siblings came one by one. The voices echo in the empty hall, in the end, driving Sora crazy.
«despair»—"Since ....you..... don't.......want ....me.....I'll..-" ⟨Collapse⟩
• Sora perished from this world in despair.....burdened by her heavy heart.•
⟨Sung Joohee⟩—"Now, I, Sung Joo-hee have transmigrated as Lee Sora."—
—"I'll change your fate, Sora."—
Chapter 2
• Lee family wasn't just famous for Lee Jeong-gi's major role in the war, it had its presiding history of rearing descendants well-versed in war-fare.
•The Lee clan had its own martial arts manual. It was another reason why men from the Lee family were appealing.•
•Indeed, ambition runs in their veins. Over the generations, many Lees served the crown.•
• Lee family used to serve the previous emperor until a decade ago they went in the dark to observe the current emperor's capabilities after his ascension. •
—"After Sora's collapse, nobody has mentioned about my marriage with Ak Doong-wok. "—
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"Na-ri, am I still getting married?"
Na-ri [Lady-in-waiting]
"Erhmm.. Milady, it's unclear. My lord isn't pressing on this matter anymore since your outburst." «Worried but smiles»
•"Good, Am I even safe then? I don't think he has given up. I need to evade this.."⟨Sung Joo-hee⟩•
Na-ri [Lady-in-waiting]
"But, this morning, My lord's henchman Dar-kyung personally came to invite you into the ancestral hall tomorrow morning. I think you shouldn't anger the Lord any further. "
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"Hmm..." «pondering» "Okay. But, tell about my father and family.."
["First, I need to see what kind of guy this Jeong-gi is before I find a way to evade the marriage".]
Na-ri [Lady-in-waiting]
"My lady?!! Are you alright?!!"
«Panicking»
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"I can't remember much. I have a murky head right now, Na-ri. I'll get well soon...".
Na-ri [Lady-in-waiting]
"Then where would you like me to start from?"
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"Start with my father." [Give me Intel".]
Na-ri [Lady-in-waiting]
"Ahem. As you know, milady, our lord is Lee Jeong-gi. He's currently in his mid-thirties. He currently has five children. His 6th child is coming.
⟨SFX: Sweat|Mind boggling⟩
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"OMG...Five?!!" «gasp» "Another one?!!!!"
[How..potent is he?"]
«gulp»
["It would be a miracle if anyone had that many children in Korea......"]
⟨According to my maid Na-ri⟩
• The patriarch of the Lee clan, Lee Jeong-gi has 3 wives who were medium for him to consolidate his prominence.•
—"Darling, I'd like to have a taste of you." —
•Jeong-gi's principal wife is Sa In-na, duke Sa's daughter. His children; Lee Seung-ri, Lee Ari were born from her.
• Princess Jin Jung-hwa, the late emperor's lovesick cousin, who was bestowed upon Jeong-gi for contribution in the war. Later, she gave birth to his 2nd son, Lee Seung-jae.•
—"I desire you impatiently tonight, forgive me..,my lord."—
• Jeong-gi's eldest daughter, Lee Bo-ram and Lee Taejo were born from his 3rd wife Han Sian, General Han's daughter, who's currently proudly pregnant with Jeong-gi's 6th unborn son.•
—"..Dearest..?!- Jeong-gi..!!"—
•And, it leaves, Lee Sora, who was born from the deceased Gyu-sun, Jeong-gi's woman who died shortly after childbirth.•
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"Oh! So, I have 3.5 half brothers and 2 half sisters.." «Kinda counting the unborn»
[" Wait, I'm alone?.." ]
«blinks»
Na-ri [Lady-in-waiting]
"Absurd «Soft chuckle» but, Yes, milady. Among your siblings, lady Ari is heavily favored.. but you aren't. "
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"Oh my life...why do I see you out of the window?" .. «Mood juice»
Na-ri [Lady-in-waiting]
"What are you saying, milady?!" «startled»
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"Nevermind." «Straightforward»
"My bad luck." «Not thrilled at all»
Na-ri [Lady-in-waiting]
"My lady, you should be aware of everyone.."
"And, please, go to the ancestral hall tomorrow. It's a must." «Genuine concern»
• Joo-hee/Sora started preparing for her next strategy while slowly eating the chunks of bread, vegetable porridge and noodles.•
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
• The best way to find out about where one can receive help is to go outside and explore.•
• By the time she stopped in her tracks, she had secretly collected many intel from eavesdropping on the servants.•
•Like who's on patrol, what's being arranged for tomorrow's ancestral rites and what the patriarch would prefer to dine with his wives or guests, the list of guests etc.•
•Given it, she got familiar with the routes.•
—'Mr. Sin has called in the arena.'—
—'Darn it, I skipped lunch.'—
• Servants? Judging by the looks of their fabric pattern, they happen to be guards going to the arena.•
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"...." [I should sneak in and check—]
• The steps of someone towards me made me flinch. I quickly hid behind the hedge.•
???
"Who's there?" «Trudge Trudge»
•A baritone reached my ears.•
• He came closer and closer. Sora was beginning to palpitate. Inwardly praying the man to go away.
‹Hiding›—"Running outside was a bad idea! I don't wanna get hit by any servant.."— ⟨Sung Joo-hee⟩
???
"I can see you, you know." ⟨Obvious look⟩
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"Meow,Meow,Meow~"
[Befooled please, please..please..!!!]
• I didn't pay attention. The clueless me thought he was leaving until...
• As that hand compelled me to turn around, I saw....
Ryu Tae-sung
"Meow now." «Gaze»
—A baby faced boy who was a bit taller than me, with dazzling jet black hair like the night, eyes black with a tint of silver.•
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"W-What?" «Confused|Caught off-guard»
⟨«Eyes slightly widened»⟩
Ryu Tae-sung
...[—What?]
⟨Seeing her⟩
"I told you to start meowing." ⟨Amused⟩
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"Why the hell would I?!!!!" «I pulled my hand away»
«Embarrassment level:10000%»
Ryu Tae-sung
"You were meowing just fine earlier.' "
"Now, meow again."
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"—Gaaah!!!NOOO!!! AAA! GO AWAY!!!" «Embarrassed»
• I sat behind the tree hiding my reddened face. How can I meow? He's playing with me. I'm so stupid..!!!
Ryu Tae-sung
⟨Smug⟩ "Hahahaaaa..." «Ends up cracking up into a smile» "Kitty.."
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"Stop laughing.." «slightly teary» "I'm not a kitty! I was born from a human! "
Ryu Tae-sung
"Ahhh.." ‹?????› "Hey..-Hey, kid, what's your name?."
• I looked at him. I was still reeling from the shame I was covered in. Since he quit his jokes...
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"I'm Lee Sora.." ‹slightly pouting› "And, you, boy? I'm 14."
• He crossed his arms looking directly into my eyes invading my space, and said:
Ryu Tae-sung
"I'm not just a boy. It's Ryu Tae-sung. Age is irrelevant. So, you are a member of the Lees."
• I raised my eyebrows in suspicion. He was being unfair by not divulging that information. I slightly tittered:
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"You talk as if you are an old man." «smiling»
• But, here he let out a gruff huff, tilting the corner of his lips up before throwing out venom.•
Ryu Tae-sung
«Smug» "Oh please, it's better than sneaking around like a were-cat-girl in the board daylight."
• That sarcastic tone just bled my ears. Causing my blood pressure to rise up quickly.•
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"What did you say?!" [This jerk-!]
«Murderous»
• Before I knew it, I decided to take the matter into my hands chasing after him to smash that arrogant face of his.•
—You can't catch me, kitty—
–Just, you wait, I'll catch you......... and when I do that,..I'll fry you in a boiling hot oil pan.—
Chapter 3
• The next morning, when Sora was sleeping peacefully in the bed, suddenly Na-ri pulled away the blanket.
Na-ri [Lady-in-waiting]
"My lady! Wake up!! No sleeping today!"
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
«Grumbling» "Let me sleep.. I'm.. tired.."
Na-ri [Lady-in-waiting]
"Please freshen up..!!"
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
• I grabbed the blanket back..
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"It's cold, Na-ri..- wait ...5 more minutes.." «dozing off»
Na-ri [Lady-in-waiting]
"I can wait 5 minutes but today's ancestral ceremony can't! My lady, everyone has to participate! You can't miss it! "
• She pulled me up by the arm after snatching away my banklet•
" if only it wasn't for that jerk who made me chase him!!(ノಠ益ಠ)ノ...!! I wouldn't have gotten so tired.."
• When Na-ri turned away, I was about to doze off but she came back with a try...
"My precious sleep..( ≧Д≦)!!.⟨Joo-hee|Sora⟩
•In a jiffy, I had my bread, got my clothes changed to something less tattered in white And clearly out of the room.
• A few minutes later.....
Na-ri [Lady-in-waiting]
"Miss, you should head 20 steps in the left to the East, then 12 steps in the South in the left then 15 steps in the right then go straight in the left for 30 minutes until you see a shift (of guards)..."
•I wasn't an early riser myself. Definitely, I would call myself a night owl at most which I wasn't that proud of.•
•So, her instructions were hard to sync in my head when I'm low on energy. •
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"Ohhh.. O-Okay..." [I wish you wrote it on paper and gave it to me. Paper~ what a luxury..]
«After hearing it, trying to memorize»
• I walked a few meters away from the annex.. then..the still groggy I muttered:
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"So, it's left, left, left, right, right in the northern direction..in the right until I see sheep? Got it." «Confused»
• I dragged my feet trying my best to follow the instructions i recalled.•
•The place I reached was....
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"Ehhhh?!!?"
"Where's the ancestral pavilion?!!"
• It seemed she jumbled up the instructions Na-ri gave here. Instead of getting at the Ancestral hall she came across the horse stable.
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"Whaaaaaaaaa—Why am I here???"«Gasps stepping back»
"I must have mixed up the directions!! What'll I do?!!" ⟨Joo-hee|Sora⟩
???
"Is it your first time coming to the horse stable?" ⟨Sudden voice⟩
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"?!!!!"
• When my eyes followed where the voice was coming from...
Ahn Bo-hyun
"Are you a new maid here? Normally maidservants don't cross this path." «looks»
• A gentle voiced dude touching the creepy horses so casually.. talking with me..Seriously?•
•A stableman asking me if I'm a maid?? Seriously?? Do I look like a maid??!?💢My brain was malfunctioning to my dismay.•
•I forgot the local semi-joseon manners in this world till then my modern korean attitude exploded out when I said:
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"Who on earth are you again, buddy?" ⟨Baffled⟩
Ahn Bo-hyun
«Surprised»"Buddy? Are you calling me that? Don't you know who I am?"
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"☝🏻" [Seriously?💢]"No. Do you think you are King Sejong?"
Ahn Bo-hyun
"King Se— Who??" «confused»
•Of course, the great King Sejong, our pride doesn't exist here. No way, you guys would know about him. •
—Try hard. Don't you know me?—
Ahn Bo-hyun
"Well, Aren't you supposed to know me? I'm quite popular among the maids.."
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"No."
—Angel Joo-hee consoling—
"Joo-hee, be a good girl, control, control.. You can't beat him up like the kids you knocked their babyteeth out in elementary school. Relax.." «Deep breath»
Ahn Bo-hyun
"Hmm? You don't look smart for a new maid."
"Let's finish him off, Joo-hee."
—Devil Joo-hee whispering—
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"I never said I was one though." [Delusional Rascal. 💢]
Ahn Bo-hyun
"Then who are you? What business do you have in the stable? Are you here to clean the loo?"
•I SWEAR HE'S SO DEAD!!💢•
•But patience, patience.... •
• Here was my chance to clear his assumptions!•
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
«Smug»"I'm—«Pauses»
—"Sora might have many enemies. I can't remember much."—
—"So, I'll just keep it low. Involving with this 'Maids love me' freak won't do me any good."— «thinking»
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"It doesn't matter. But, I'm not a stable worker. I was heading to the ancestral hall. But, I got lost. "
Ahn Bo-hyun
"Wow. Are you amnesiac or here to consume my time with sweet chit-chat?(^ө^)♡"
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"No thanks. Just tell me the directions. I'll buzz off."
Ahn Bo-hyun
"How refreshingly straightforward. I like that."
•Then, this hedonist really told me the directions, though I was skeptically glaring a hole in his face. He was chuckling.•
• Yet then, that one white horse stared into my soul while others followed it. I tried to ignore it. He smiled:
Ahn Bo-hyun
"Just turn right and go straight blindly. You'll reach the hall." [How funny.]
• He leaned in slightly towards me, folding his arms with a cheeky smile. Furthermore said:
Ahn Bo-hyun
" You should at least give me your name. I'm Ahn Bo-hyun for your kind information."
"Is he trying to flirt with me?"
—"A squeaking Rodent is a better option."—
• I really didn't pay attention to his shenanigans, it takes more than that to sway me. Hence, not minding it, when I was trying to walk away, suddenly I felt a chill..•
• Meanwhile the horses were staring at me. I who has never been to a zoo for vacation could only get creeped out.
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"What's wrong with these horses? It's eerie." [Did they catch the madcow I mean, mad horse disease or something?]
Ahn Bo-hyun
«Displeasure»"Do you not like horses?" «Critical look»
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"I can't say I like them either. I don't dislike any animal particularly. But these horses are scaring me."
Ahn Bo-hyun
"Take it easy. Horses are gentle animals." «Experience: 8 years»
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"Uhh.. Are you sure?" «doubtful»
Ahn Bo-hyun
"Just go, try to caress its mane. A horse is a man's best friend. Try it out~." «Bwhahaha»
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"O-Okay.... Sorry?? Horsy?Mr. Horse??"«scared» [Friend, my butt. Definitely not a woman's bestie.] «Trying to placate the suspicious horse»
—NEIGH!! NEIGH! NEIGH!!!!!—
—"OHHHH GODDDDDDDDDD!!!!"—
•All on a sudden, Sora ended up jumping on Bo-hyun eventually wrapping her legs around his waist in fear of the neighing horses in the stable.•
•••••••••AWKWARD•••••••••••
•They blinked together in bewilderment until both parties were like:
Ahn Bo-hyun
"GAAAAAAAAAH—!!!!"
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"KYAAAAAAAAH—!!!!!!"
•I quickly got off him. I was drowning in shame for a big time!!!•
Ahn Bo-hyun
"W-Well...Horses are actually friendly..." «Cough»
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"Uhhhmm.. [Ugh..hell no, they aren't.]"
•Meanwhile, snorts were coming from the horse who scared Sora (Joo-hee) off.•
Ahn Bo-hyun
"😅Ahhh.." ⟨Awkwardly regretting⟩
[I swallow my words.]
—"This creepy horse is really enjoying this..!"—
Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]
"I'm outta here!!" [I think I really have Equinophobia now!]
Ahn Bo-hyun
«??»"Hey, you haven't told me your name—!!"
• After she left, Bo-hyun gazed towards her direction until her small back was no longer visible.•
•Only a smile crossed his face in reminiscence to the mysterious maiden who refused to tell him her name.•
—"What an interesting woman.."—
—This is getting interesting.—
•After rushing faster, I finally reached the vicinity of the ancestral pavilion..!!•
•While walking closer to the corridor hiding behind the wall, The place was bigger than my imagination. It was well decorated.•
•A poor girl like Sora (me) would hardly be permitted to enter from the front gate.•
—Glory to the Lee bloodline!—
•Despite going through the backdoor following the servants, ignoring everything wasn't easy at all.•
•All those servants gather at a spot to meet and go about their duties allocated to them with delligence.•
—We, humbly serve you, sirs & madams.—
—Someone bring in the side dishes.—
•Some serve wine, some serve delicacies with agility. Some standing beside the guest seats to felicitate the elite guests in and out of the clan.•
•A sense of pride was seen on the faces of the prude women of the other clans who were invited alongside their spouses.•
— 🎶The moon shines at the zenith over the lush madows.🎶—
—🎶 For, The glory we wished for, comes from the struggles in the battlefield..🎶—
•The poets, artists, courtesans, dancers and musicians, people of different talent had come to please the Lee family. But,it was somewhat age inappropriate in some parts.•
•The innuendo was in the air..•
⟨SFX: Seductive movement⟩
—Milords, keep eyes on us.—
•It was beautiful, dazzlingly wonderful but as the unfavored daughter, Sora, those weren't something I could indulge in.•
•I could only step back.•
•I have to worry about my life and how to escape this hellish family's influence. I'm not stronger than anyone.. •
•Anyone could kill me by snapping my neck in half. I have no useful memories, no special power, no allies...
•Moreover, this isn't a novel I read before dying. Even before I transmigrated here..•
•Who exactly is this Lee Sora? What was the point behind sending me here? When my life would end anytime?•
•My life isn't even mine....•
•If it wasn't mandatory, I would never come here today.•
•I have a fiery battle left to fight. For Joo-hee myself and Sora.•
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![Na-ri [Lady-in-waiting]](https://up-pic.mangatoon.mobi/contribute/fiction/9050687/avatar/50803155/1735914159680.jpeg-s200webp?sign=ad9620bffa09c6840845314bd739b95e&t=6837a380)
![Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]](https://up-pic.mangatoon.mobi/contribute/fiction/9050687/avatar/50803155/1734645756104.jpeg-s200webp?sign=5d25de9f54d44e00059962e72555b800&t=6837a380)
