*splash* Kim Haneul heard. The trotting of horses passing her radiated through her ears as she was drenched in water and mud for the third time in two weeks. Her task was simple; retrieve water from the well. But of course, this had to be made difficult by the entitled palace guards and their horses. The young girl held a deep hatred towards the men of the palace. Her hate was not directed towards the individuals, but rather their abhorrent behavior towards the villagers and anyone else selected to work at the palace. They carried themselves with an air of superiority, as if they were the seven beasts themselves, masquerading as "princes." Every year, the palace selects three men and three women from the village through a lottery to perform their "village duties." However, it's always a formality. It's not common for anyone under the age of 20, the "mating age," to be called. Just as the calling had ended a palace man on his horse arrived and whispered something to the head. "The king has made a new request of two men, one lady, and one maiden by noon." "Given this information, we will pick 3 people from the previously chosen pool and commence the lottery once again." Silent whispers began. How could this be? Why would the palace be willing to give up three workers for one maiden? But what Kim Haneul didnt expect was to her name to be called. 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 : 𝟏𝟎/𝟎𝟗/𝟐𝟑 𝐄𝐧𝐝 :