Just one word would suffice. My father’s name is Kang Mu-yeol. That single sentence was all Ah-shin needed to hear.

“What is your father’s full name? I don’t want to hurt you, so be honest.”

“Kang…”

Ah-shin noticed that her lips were trembling slightly.

“My father’s name is Kang Seung-gyu.”

“Kang Seung-gyu?”

The name was unfamiliar to him, a name he had never heard before.

“Not Kang Mu-yeol?”

Unable to suppress the wave of disappointment that washed over him, Ah-shin pressed her further.

“Who is that?”

“Wasn’t your father Kang Mu-yeol? The one whose entire family was killed for treason ten years ago?”

“My father’s name is Kang Seung-gyu. It’s true that my family was killed for treason ten years ago, and it’s also true that my family has been a lineage of warriors for generations. But I’ve never heard the name Kang Mu-yeol before.”

“You’re not lying, are you?”

“Why should I lie about my father’s name when I’m already in danger of dying? If you don’t believe me, bring my husband and ask him yourself. Although I doubt if he even knows my father’s name.”

She was right. A woman bold enough to call him a “worthless speck of an ant” would have no reason to lie about her father’s name.

‘I was just jumping to conclusions.’

He realised that he had been too quick to associate her boldness and defiance with Kang Mu-yeol. It was foolish to assume a connection based on her behaviour alone.

Whether Kang Mu-yeol even had a daughter was something he didn’t know for sure, but a misplaced sense of familiarity had led him to make such a mistake.

How laughable it would be if anyone found out.

If those who called him the Butcher of Men could see him now, fumbling over a traitor who had died ten years ago, they would surely mock him—if only silently.

“Well, now that your mouth is moving so freely, your body seems to be completely thawed out.”

Ah-shin remarked, his gaze falling back on Yul-hye, still cradled in his arms.

“So what am I supposed to do with you now?”

A spark of life flickered in his eyes again.

It no longer mattered who her father was. What mattered was that he had found the woman who had dared to run from him.

And now she was in his grasp, right there in his arms.

What mattered now was how he would break and devour this insolent woman from this moment on.

“I should call for your husband.”

“W-why would you do that?”

“Isn’t your wedding tomorrow? It’s customary to consummate a marriage on the wedding night. Since I have already tasted and tamed another man’s bride, wouldn’t it be appropriate for me to teach your husband how to make his new bride whimper properly?”

“Even animals would not stoop to such depravity!”

Yul-hye shouted, her voice trembling with indignation and fear.

“In front of your husband,” Ashin continued, a wicked gleam in his eyes, “I want to see you moan lewdly for me. It’ll be quite a spectacle.”

The amusement in his gaze deepened, feeding on her panic.

She deserved at least that much punishment, didn’t she?

Yes, after forcing him to climb a mountain in the middle of a blizzard, this was nothing more than light retribution. It would only cost her a moment of shame.

“Bring the woman’s husband here!”

Ah-shin’s voice thundered, his command echoing through the room. In the distance, the hurried footsteps of the maids could be heard, scurrying away in fear.

As he held Yul-hye tightly in his arms, he caught the trembling in her wide, frightened eyes. The terror reflected in them made him lick his lips.

This woman stirred something deep inside him – a primal, animal hunger. Just looking at her made his mouth water, an insatiable appetite rising uncontrollably from within.

“Please, spare me! Just spare my life!”

Do-yoon, dragged in like a dog, was unceremoniously tossed onto the floor of the room.

Lifting his head weakly, the first thing he saw was the towering figure of a man whose presence was overwhelming even while seated.

And in that man’s arms – or rather, on his lap – was none other than Yul-hye.

She was completely n*ked, wrapped tightly in the man’s strong arms as she sat upon his knee.

“Y-Yul-hye!”

He couldn’t tell whether she had returned of her own accord or had been captured and brought here.

But seeing Yul-hye back stirred a faint flicker of hope in his chest. Perhaps this meant he had a chance to survive. A small, relieved smile crept onto his face as the thought took hold.

“Your bride has returned.”

His voice slow and deliberate, carrying a weight that hung heavy in the air.

“She came back unharmed, so as promised, I’ll set you free tomorrow morning. And the day after that, you’ll have your wedding as planned. I’ve heard that the invitations have already been sent out, such an event should not be cancelled. After the wedding, I’ll keep my word and send you to the capital. You’ll have to settle down and securea position there, won’t you?”

Ah-shin’s piercing gaze locked onto Do-yoon, the sheer intensity of it making his blood turn to ice.

Unable to withstand that gaze, Do-yoon quickly lowered his head, his fear palpable.

Watching Ah-shin hunt for Yul-hye earlier, Do-yoon had come to understand something terrifyingly clear—this man was far more dangerous than the rumors had ever suggested.

Dragged around like a dog, tied up and utterly helpless, Do-yoon had resigned himself to the thought that he was as good as dead.

His appearance was a complete wreck. His clothes, still soaked from being dragged through the snow, clung to him uncomfortably. He hadn’t even had a chance to change. His hair was dishevelled, his face smeared with mud and his hands and feet covered in filth. After being imprisoned in the barracks and dragged here, he looked so pitifully ragged that he could easily have been mistaken for a beggar.

“How pitiful the groom looks. Hold on a little longer—I’ll send you home soon. You can bathe yourself properly and put on clean clothes.”

At first glance, Ah-shin’s voice sounded almost compassionate. But Do-yoon knew better. There wasn’t a shred of mercy behind those words—only cold amusement.

Right now, all Do-yoon could feel was an overwhelming wave of regret.

Do-yoon had tried to ingratiate himself with the new governor, hoping to further his career and gain fame. Instead, he had ruined his life and now faced the possibility of losing it entirely.

Perhaps Ah-shin would release him as promised, but who knew when the man might change his mind? Ah-shin could easily put him through the same ordeal again. And even if he managed to escape, he would probably meet the same fate as Yul-hye – captured and dragged back in humiliation.

‘I should’ve just stuck with the position the previous governor gave me. Why did I let my greed get the better of me?’

But regrets were useless now. It was far too late to undo what had already been done.

“I feel a little guilty toward you. I’ve decided to give you a small gift.”

A gift? What kind of gift could he possibly mean?