Ice Island Palace Chapter 17

"Tonight I will ask her to run away! That is the only way!"

The night was very dark. Rain had been falling in a drizzle since the afternoon, making the air cold, the weather gloomy, and the surroundings utterly silent. In the inner room of the Thio noble's mansion, Minister Kam Liong was being hosted with full honors by the noble Thio, the brother of the bride-to-be—a widower already fifty years old—and accompanied also by Ciok Khun. The Minister Kam Liong was invited not only to be hosted and as a sign of the family's gratitude, but also because the Minister was fulfilling his promise to prevent Suma Hoat from disturbing Ciok Kim Hwa in her room. Guards had been prepared, hiding around Kim Hwa's room, tasked with watching out in case Suma *kongcu* came to the room as usual.

He arrived like a ghost because the youth came through the roof tiles and moved as swiftly as a bird. They were only tasked with surveillance, as they certainly did not dare to capture him. For that duty, they hoped for the assistance of Minister Kam Liong, who was not only highly skilled in martial arts but also held a high position and was still the *pek-hu* (uncle) of the formidable noble youth. A shadow flashed past and the guards quickly ran to report to those who were still eating and drinking in the inner room. Hearing this report, Kam Liong's face flushed red and they all rushed toward the maiden's room. Noble Thio and his brother were in front, followed by Ciok Khun, and bringing up the rear was Minister Kam Liong, who maintained a calm demeanor even though his heart was burning with shame and anger.

No matter what, Suma Hoat was his nephew, and this act also meant tarnishing his own reputation. The shadow was indeed Suma Hoat, who quickly entered his lover's room through the roof tiles. While removing the tiles, he imagined how this time his lover certainly wouldn't greet him with the usual joyful kisses and hugs, and might instead greet him with tears, but he had already decided to take his lover away, comfort her, and make her happy. After having a loving relationship with Kim Hwa, he disliked looking at any other woman, as if he were disgusted by them. He had found his love! Don't worry, my love, we will live, he whispered, while closing the roof tiles again to prevent rainwater from entering, then opening the ceiling and lightly leaping down into the room.

He guessed that Kim Hwa must be lying face down on the bed, crying. After his two feet touched the floor, he approached the bed, opened the mosquito net, and... the bed was empty! His eyes searched, and as if something pushed him, he turned his body to the right and... he gasped in shock, his breath stopped instantly, his legs trembled, his eyes widened, staring at the body hanging in the corner, a motionless body, the body of Kim Hwa whose neck was bound by a belt and hung from a crossbeam. A stool lay overturned beneath her feet. Suma Hoat forced his legs to step forward, his legs shaking, his face pale, his lips trembling, moving but emitting no sound, his two arms stretched forward, ready to embrace, his heart screaming.

"My love, come here.... why don't you greet me....?"

But the body still hung motionless, and he staggered forward, his vision darkening, hoping this was all just a dream. He bit his own lip until it tore and bled, yet his lover's body remained hanging, unmoving.

"Kim Hwa....!"

His scream exploded from the depths of his heart and the youth tumbled down, collapsing, unconscious beneath the feet of Kim Hwa's still-hanging corpse! The room door was kicked down by Minister Kam Liong, who rushed in upon hearing the scream from the room. They all entered and stood wide-eyed, looking alternately at Kim Hwa's corpse hanging by the neck and Suma Hoat's body lying unconscious.

"Kim Hwa, my daughter....!"

Ciok Khun cried out but was restrained by Noble Thio when he tried to rush forward, worried by the presence of Suma Hoat.

"Suma Hoat....!"

Kam Liong called out to his nephew in a heavy voice. Suma Hoat moved slowly, groaned, then looked up.

"Kim Hwa....!"

He screamed again, jumped up, and with one pull, the belt binding her neck and ending the girl's life snapped. He carried the body, cradled it, kissed her face, and held her head close.

"Kim Hwa....! My love.... My wife.... you.... you.... alas, Kim Hwa.... why did you kill yourself....?"

Suma Hoat wept, sobbing over the chest of his lover's corpse. Then he lifted his face, looking at his lover's face, whose eyes were closed like someone sleeping. Then he carried the body, slowly brought it onto the bed, laid her down carefully, then covered her with a blanket and said softly,

"My love, you must be tired, yes? Are you sleepy? Sleep sweetly, sleep soundly. Let me watch over you...."

Then his eyes widened, as if he had just realized that his lover, whom he thought was sleeping, was no longer breathing, and he moved his lips without any sound coming out! Then he groaned and whimpered, like a confused child, shaking Kim Hwa's shoulder, and his complaint was heard,

"Kim Hwa, you.... you died....? Ah, how can that be.... you.... ohhh.... are you really dead? Kim Hwa....!"

For the second time, his body tumbled down, collapsing unconscious while embracing the girl's body, which was still warm but lifeless.

Minister Kam Liong's eyes became moist. He nodded slowly, and much of his anger toward Suma Hoat subsided. So that's how it is, he thought. It turns out there was such a deep bond of love between them. When he glanced over, he saw Ciok Khun's face was extremely pale and tears streamed down his cheeks. Noble Thio and his brother were also stunned, moved by Suma Hoat's behavior. Kam Liong felt uneasy, and he stepped back, unsure what to do. Suma Hoat regained consciousness, then wept, sobbing, and kissed her lips, whimpering and begging his lover to speak, to open her eyes. He kissed her eyes and lips until finally, he was certain that those lips did not return his kiss, those eyes no longer looked lovingly but remained closed.

"Kim Hwa, you are dead! You killed yourself.... no! You were murdered!"

Suddenly Suma Hoat turned around and looked at the three people with wild eyes. Apparently, only now did he notice the presence of Noble Thio and his brother, and Kim Hwa's father. His anger surged.

"Kim Hwa, you were murdered! They are the ones who killed you! I will avenge your death, my love Kim Hwa. I will have my revenge!"

Suddenly he lunged forward, his two hands moving to strike a powerful, deadly blow toward Noble Thio's brother.

"Bressss!"

Suma Hoat's body was thrown backward and tumbled down. The strike from his two hands was parried by Minister Kam Liong, who now stepped forward with a fierce gaze. Suma Hoat was extremely shocked, quickly rolling his body on the floor and leaping up, ready to charge the formidable opponent! But when he saw that his opponent was Minister Kam Liong, his legs instantly went weak. He looked at his *pek-hu*, tears streaming down his face, and his knees gave way, causing him to fall to his knees, his mouth speaking hoarsely.

"*Pek-hu*, please just kill this wretched me...."

Minister Kam Liong stepped forward, his hand gripping Suma Hoat's shoulder, and with one pull, Suma Hoat's body was standing again.

"What kind of man are you? Is this the attitude of a brave and mighty person? Weaker than a woman! Whiny and misguided!"

Suma Hoat was still crying, looking toward the bed, and his sobs grew heavier.

"*Pek-hu*...."

He gasped.

"....I would rather die.... I... loved Kim Hwa.... why did *Pek-hu* forbid it? Why did everyone forbid it? She and I loved each other, even Heaven did not forbid it! Why did you all interfere with us....? Huhu-huuukkkk!"

Suma Hoat cried like a small child, bowing his head before his uncle. Kam Liong hardened his heart and moved his left hand to slap him.

"Plakk!"

Suma Hoat's right cheek was struck, startling the youth greatly, who widened his eyes full of resentment. Kam Liong felt relieved because that was exactly what he wanted—to reignite the youth's spirit.

"Listen to me, Suma Hoat! A true man prioritizes truth over life and everything else in this world! What does love mean if it violates the truth? This disaster that has struck is due to the weakness of your heart! They are not the ones who caused this young lady's death, but you are! You killed her with your actions. Understand?"

The youth stared wide-eyed at his *pek-hu*, full of resentment.

"But, *Pek-hu*! She loved me...., we loved each other and swore to...."

"Silence! Love cannot grow without a response from both parties! The bud of love cannot blossom without the nourishment of the opposing side! You already knew she was engaged to someone else, yet you, the weak one, responded to her love! If you had not indulged her, I am certain she would not have loved you! Your actions constitute a great transgression, staining our family name! And more than that, you are the one who caused the death of this young lady who had fallen deeply in love with you! And you still want to blame innocent people? Hmph, let this event be a bitter lesson for you so that you do not indulge your desires too much, learn to restrain your desires, and channel them through truth, not blindly and misguidedly! Leave before this matter spreads widely. Go!"

This final shout contained a severe threat, and Suma Hoat groaned, then weakly leaped out through the ceiling and the roof tiles. Everyone in the room was still stunned watching the event, and Suma Hoat's voice could be heard on the roof—a voice containing sobs, a hoarse voice mixed with the sound of the drizzling rain.

"Women....! I hate them....! All women's love is fake! Only Kim Hwa was pure, but even she left me! Aihhh, I hate them....! I hate them....! Hate....!"

The voice faded into the distance. Kam Liong sighed deeply, his heart filled with worry when he thought about Suma Hoat's condition. He secretly wondered why a youth whom he knew to be a womanizer and fond of showering love among high-class courtesans could now fall in love like this with one girl!

Seeing the family grieving and mourning, Minister Kam Liong also took his leave, regretting his family's fate all the way home. Upon arriving home, Suma Hoat fell ill. He was struck by a high fever, delirious every day, calling out Kim Hwa's name, sometimes cursing all women, calling them unfaithful, falsely loving, and so on. For more than a month, Suma Hoat was sick, unaware of his surroundings. His father, Commander Suma Kiat, who deeply loved his only son, naturally became confused and invited all expert physicians to treat his son. One night, Suma Hoat awoke from his sleep. He had begun to recover and regain consciousness; without opening his eyes, he recalled all the events that had befallen him, remembering Kim Hwa again. He sighed deeply and said softly,

"All women's love is fake; even the pure one was unfaithful, choosing instead to die and leave!"

Suddenly, a soft voice was heard near the bed.

"Not all women's love is fake, Suma Hoat. How easy it would be to ask for a youth like you. I, too.... if given the chance....!"

A delicate finger touched his forehead affectionately, and a fragrant handkerchief was used by those fingers to wipe the sweat from his chest.

Suma Hoat opened his eyes, staring wide-eyed at the face of an extremely beautiful woman, a woman who was around thirty years old, but whose beauty was extraordinary! More beautiful than Kim Hwa! Her delicate face was flushed, her eyes moved lively, full of understanding, her mouth seemed to constantly challenge a kiss! A mature, exciting woman, whose movements indicated she was a martial arts expert! A beautiful, enchanting woman whom he did not know, but who was clearly now seducing him with her attitude and words, especially with the lustful gleam in her eyes, which seemed intent on stripping him bare!

"You.... who are you....?"

Suma Hoat asked, secretly admiring that face.

"Me? My name is Bu Ci Goat, I.... have only been here for half a month. I am your father's newest concubine."

"Oohhh....!"

Unconsciously, this exclamation contained disappointment.

"Why? Aren't you happy to have a new young mother like me?"

Bu Ci Goat moved her face closer until it almost touched Suma Hoat's nose, who smelled a very fragrant scent. His heart pounded and he rebuked her.

"If you are Father's concubine, why are you here? What do you want?"

The woman smiled and held Suma Hoat's hand.