There were countless rumors about the newly appointed Governor of Gangseo Province. 

Some said the Emperor had sent him to this remote region to keep him in check. Others claimed that he had killed so many people that public outrage forced his temporary relocation to this distant province until the anger subsided. 

Among the rumors, the most infamous was his nickname: The Butcher of Men.

Some said he earned the name by killing countless people, while others claimed he slaughtered people as mercilessly as one would butcher cattle. 

The truth behind these rumors was unknown to anyone. 

However, Yul-hye had encountered the new Governor only once—just that single time.

A towering man of imposing stature, his stern and piercing eyes carried an air of menace that was impossible to ignore. Simply watching him ride his horse was enough to send shivers down her spine, as he exuded an aura of sheer intimidation.

And that man had seen her. 

Yul-hye had been among the crowd that had gathered to catch a glimpse of the newly appointed Governor. She blended in seamlessly, indistinguishable from anyone else, yet somehow his gaze found her. She could hardly believe it.

Unfortunately, standing beside the Governor at that moment, serving as his guide, was one of the notorious men Do-yoon frequently kept company with.

That man had observed the Governor’s interest in her and reported it to Do-yoon, triggering the chain of events that led to this entire disaster.

When Yul-hye later heard that the Governor had asked, “Who is that woman?” she couldn’t forget the expression that crossed Do-yoon’s face. 

That look of triumph, as if the opportunity he had been waiting for had finally arrived. 

And Do-yoon didn’t let that opportunity slip through his fingers. 

He had sold her off like a mere object. 

‘There’s probably no way to escape.’

Yul-hye stepped back, her gaze locked on the shadow looming beyond the door, deep in thought.

If this truly was the Governor’s residence, escape was impossible. Soldiers were stationed at every corner, guarding the premises with unwavering vigilance. How could she even hope to flee?

Even if she somehow managed to push the Governor aside and make a dash for freedom, capture was inevitable.

‘And I’d only make a fool of myself.’ 

Biting her lip hard, Yul-hye forced herself to think. 

‘If I can’t avoid the worst….’ 

Her mind sharpened, cutting through the fear and anxiety that surged through her. In a situation like this, giving in to panic would only make things worse.

Crying or begging would not move the Governor or win his sympathy. This was a man feared by many, known as the Butcher of Men. He wouldn’t care about their tears or pleas. 

She had to stay calm and think. 

Would pleading and clutching at his trousers even help? Not a chance.

‘Even if I beg him not to do this, it’ll be useless.’ 

This man, fully aware that she was engaged to someone else, still wanted her. How could she ever expect him to have a conscience?

Conscience? Morality? Humanity? Such things were likely meaningless to someone like him. 

To a man who saw destroying another person’s wife as a game, and who showed no mercy in ruining the lives of others, there was no hope that he would set her free.

If escape was impossible, she would at least refuse to be reduced to something pitiful in this situation.

‘I won’t be afraid. I won’t be humiliated. I won’t grovel or beg.’

She wasn’t going to beg for mercy, only to be trampled upon and left to drown in shame, ultimately leading to a tragic end where she might even contemplate taking her own life.

This wasn’t something she wanted. It wasn’t something she chose. 

And she certainly didn’t get anything out of it – nor did she want to. 

She had fallen into a trap, and it was beyond her control. 

‘I just have to forget.’

There is nothing in this world that cannot be forgotten. When her parents died so tragically so many years ago, it felt like the pain of that moment would never go away. The horrible screams, the fear, the grief, the pain and the sense of loss – it felt like those feelings would never leave her. 

But ten years had passed, and in that time, she had already forgotten the pain. 

The pain of losing Jung Dae-in and his wife also felt like something that would never go away, but now those feelings were gone. 

So, this situation was no different. The humiliation would only be temporary. 

Creek. 

The door creaked open, and the shadow it cast stretched long, falling over Yul-hye’s feet. Then, the tall man stepped inside.

‘Big feet…’

Just by looking at his feet, Yul-hye could tell how big the man who had entered the room was. Without lifting her head, she stepped back, lowering herself to the floor and lying down. 

She heard the door close behind her, but the man remained silent for a moment. Yet, she could feel his gaze. 

It wasn’t just the way his eyes scanned her body. It was also the same cold, commanding aura she had felt a few days ago – so vivid, so sharp. 

It was the kind of presence that made every hair on her body stand on end.

The fear she felt was instinctive, a primal reaction to facing something terrifying, compelling her body to protect itself. 

Yul-hye felt as if she were facing a wild, menacing beast, unable to shake the feeling of dread. 

Was this how a cow would feel when it was led to the slaughterhouse, facing the butcher? 

“Stop lying down. Get up and take off that cumbersome dress.”

The Governor’s first words were crude and vulgar. 

‘You insane bastard.’

But the moment she spoke those words, she knew it would be her last. 

The Governor was no ordinary man—he was the one who ruled over all of Gangseo, a figure whose power in this region was equal to that of the Emperor.

Moreover, this new Governor didn’t just control Gangseo; he also ruled over the provinces of Myeongbuk and Unhan. Three cities in total, each under his command.

To the new Governor, a man with unprecedented power, she was nothing more than an ant beneath his feet—an ant that could be crushed without a second thought.

‘I can’t let myself be crushed.’

She hadn’t survived to be trampled by a man like him. 

She had escaped the tragic death of her parents and family only to meet her end like a mere insect in this man’s hands. That wasn’t why she had fought so hard to stay alive.

“I guess I need to see if your body is as useful as your face. Your husband seems to think I should pay well for you, but to get a proper price, I need to see if you’re worth it first.”