Allure
Chapter 1
A little boy sat in the tub of water, his mother washing his golden blonde hair.
The woman filled the water with a battered mug, pouring water gently over his son's head.
7 years old Taehyung
“Mama,”
His eyes followed the length of his mother’s wrist to a fresh bruise.
Being attentive, his mother asked,
Taehyung Mother
“What is it, Taeh?”
7 years old Taehyung
“You hurt yourself…”
The boy's voice was sweet.
He gazed at his mother with his clear blue eyes.
His mother smiled at him.
To the little boy, his mother’s smile brightened the entire room even though it was dimly lit with the few remaining candles they had.
The woman placed her wet hand on the little boy's head,
Taehyung Mother
“It was slippery from the rain. Your mother tripped and got herself a little boo-boo,”
The woman assured his son,
Taehyung Mother
“It is nothing your mother can’t handle. Don’t worry!”
Taehyung nodded, believing his mother’s words without question, even though he saw a second bruise on his mother’s cheek.
The smile on the woman’s face faltered when her son was distracted by the water’s surface.
Most of the bruises that she received were covered by her dress, and the long sleeves that she wore outside was enough to cover up to her wrists.
But the bruise inflicted on her face was difficult to hide.
Her son was growing, and she knew that her child had come to an age where he was easily curious and able to grasp difficult subjects.
She did not wish to lie to her son, but at the same time, it was hard to explain what she did.
Taehyung Mother
“How was your day, my dearie?”
Asked the woman, watching her son.
7 years old Taehyung
“I helped Tommy with his sheep. He let me walk with him and watch them graze,”
The little boy replied fondly as if he had enjoyed it very much.
He turned to look at his mother before saying,
7 years old Taehyung
“He was taking their clothes off, mama! He said they would grow it back, but I felt bad because they looked cold. Mama, can we get a sheep one day?”
Taehyung Mother
“Maybe one day,”
Replied his mother, the look in her eyes gentle.
Taehyung Mother
“I hope you didn’t step on his toes.”
The little boy vigorously shook his head.
Taehyung Mother
“That’s good,”
Said the woman, picking up a jar off the ground..
Taehyung Mother
"Tommy is a generous and kind man.”
Kinder than many who lived in this town thought the woman.
Chapter 2
As she bathed her son, shimmering blue scales appeared on the little boy's legs.
The little boy's hand touched the scales that left a dazzling criss-cross pattern.
The woman turned the jar’s cap, and added two spoonfuls of white powder into the bathtub, letting it dissolve.
The little boy questioned,
7 years old Taehyung
“Mama…why doesn’t our soap have bubbles?”
His little eyebrows furrowed.
7 years old Taehyung
“Mrs. Evan told me we couldn’t afford soap.”
Taehyung Mother
“What were you doing talking about soaps? We use something that’s even better than soap. It keeps your skin smooth and silky. Don’t you like being smooth and silky?”
7 years old Taehyung
“It does?”
Asked the boy with an innocent expression, and his mother nodded.
Taehyung Mother
“It does. Plus, it’s important you use the salts during your baths, until you learn to hide your scales. This will keep you safe. Remember, Taehyung. No one can know about your scales, else it will be big trouble for both of us!”
Shortly after the salt dissipated into the water, the scales on the little boy's legs disappeared.
His mother came to sit behind his head, pouring water and rinsing his head and body before being brought out of the tub with a towel wrapped around him.
7 years old Taehyung
“Mama, will you come with me tomorrow?”
A hopeful expression hung on the little boy's face.
Taehyung was hugged by his mother, and the little boy was more than happy to hug him back.
Taehyung was still young and missed his mother whenever she had to work, as she was often gone for long hours, not returning till late in the evening.
There were some days where his mother was away for the entire night and early in the morning, leaving the little boy all by himself in the small house.
Taehyung Mother
“I am sorry that I haven’t been able to spend much time with you. But I promise that things will get better. Once we have enough money, we can move to a better place. Maybe one with a sheep or two for you to play with,”
The woman promised his son,
Taehyung Mother
“and I will be able to spend more time with you.”
7 years old Taehyung
“We’ll be able to play together all the time?”
Excitement apparent on the boy's face at the simple thought.
The woman pulled away from her son to stare at his sweet face.
Chapter 3
In the future, she would get her son a tutor who could educate him on etiquette and nobility so that he could become part of higher society.
And unlike her, her son would be respected and loved!
She would definitely accomplish this for her son's sake!
Taehyung's mother leaned forward, planting a kiss on her little one’s forehead.
Taehyung Mother
“Yes, all the time, you and me,”
Later that night, the woman put her son to bed, covering her with the bigger quilt of the two they owned to combat the harsh Winter outside.
She walked towards the bathtub, staring at the surface of the water for a couple of minutes.
She dipped her hand into the water, lost in thought before pulling the stopper out and allowing the water to drain.
When morning arrived, the sun’s rays failed to reach the town due to the clouds covering the sky.
A certain gloominess filled the air, the chilly breeze making those on the streets pull their coats closer to them as they walked.
In the house where little Taehyung slept curled in bed, his mother stood in front of the mirror.
She was dressed in clothes that had been borrowed.
Then again, most of her clothes were either handed down to her or borrowed from somewhere.
Her hair was tied in a subtle yet seductive knot that appealed to her target, and her lips were painted a provocative and bold red.
The bruises had become a little more prominent with this appearance, but she carried herself proudly.
When she left the house, closing the door behind her, she could feel the stares leering and judging her.
Kim Hye Kyo was not new to people staring at her.
And as demeaning and condemning as those gazes were directed at her, she walked with a steady composure.
But if one inspected her closely, they would notice her eyes never looked ahead.
Downcast, her gaze was trained on her footsteps, but whether this was to ensure she would not trip and fall or to avoid the shame felt from the eyes of others, only she knew…
When she reached the end of the road, a carriage stood waiting for her.
The coachman at the carriage door opened it upon seeing her.
Hye Kyo felt her legs stiffen, but she did not stop walking.
Though she had come here, knowing the carriage was waiting for her, she felt trepidation remembering what happened yesterday.
She stoked her courage and climbed inside the carriage with the coachman shutting the door behind her.
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