The Devil's Bride
It was the early 18th century. The earth trembled, the sky darkened, and thunder rumbled. The Devil was raging once again. Due to his insatiable desires, natural disasters struck the village every year, and people lived in constant fear, desperately clinging to survival.
During these dreadful years, one thing was certain: every six months, a girl had to be sacrificed! Beautiful girls aged 17, 18, or 19 were taken to the Black Abyss at night, their eyes blindfolded, their hands tightly bound behind their backs, and they were abandoned there.
But none of them ever survived for a year. They either disappeared without a trace or their lifeless bodies were found at the outskirts of the village. The Devil was not in love. That was why he was never satisfied, always demanding more and more sacrifices.
Just as the people were beginning to lose all hope, a wise old man arrived in the village. He had spent many years traveling and knew countless secrets. The villagers gathered around him and told him everything they had endured.
The wise man stroked his beard, deep in thought. Then, looking into the eyes of the people, he spoke in a melodious voice:
— The Wise Man (smiling):
— There is a way… but it requires patience.
The villagers stared at him intently.
— The Wise Man (serious):
— The Devil has not yet found his true bride. He does not accept the girls you send because it is not beauty that will melt his heart—it is something else.
— Village Elder (shocked):
— What do you mean?
— The Wise Man (calmly):
— The Devil does not know how to love. You must send him a bride who can give him love. But she will not be an ordinary girl…
The villagers began murmuring among themselves. What did this mean? What kind of bride did the Devil need?
The wise man looked down and took a deep breath. Then, raising his finger, he pointed toward the most terrifying place in the village—the Black Abyss.
— The Wise Man (firmly):
— A temple must be built here!
The villagers froze in horror. Build a temple at the Black Abyss? But that place was cursed!
Yet, the wise man had already made his decision. From that moment on, everything would change…
Despite three months of relentless earthquakes and powerful storms, the villagers completed the temple. Its foundation was built on unstable ground—directly above the Black Abyss. A massive iron gate was installed in place of the abyss itself. The gate was heavy and fortified with thick seals. This was no ordinary temple. It was a cage designed to restrain the Devil.
During those three months, the wise man finished writing a thick book. Within its pages were special prayers that could temporarily pacify the Devil, words that could lull him into sleep, and methods to seal him away. As the villagers made their final preparations, the wise man, clutching his book to his chest, made his way to the temple.
Inside, garlands adorned the chamber. The entrance to the sacred place was draped in white cloth, and thirty-six candles burned within. The wise man approached the door, took a deep breath, and began his solemn prayer.
— The Wise Man (softly):
— Lord of Darkness, sleep in peace. Be still. This place is your sanctuary; here, you shall rest like the spirits…
Raising his hands, he began reciting prayers as if awakening the forces between heaven and earth. The candles flickered violently, and an unnatural chill spread through the temple.
For forty days and nights, the wise man spoke to no one. He only prayed. Hunger and exhaustion weakened his body, yet he never faltered.
One night, the Devil's voice echoed through the chamber.
— The Devil (whispering):
— You cannot silence me… You are merely deceiving me…
At that moment, the massive gate trembled. The wise man, steadying the flickering candles, closed his eyes. He ignored the voice and continued his prayers.
On the ninth night, a powerful sound rumbled from within—as if some colossal being was breathing deep inside the abyss.
By the twenty-second night, the storms had ceased. The villagers noticed an eerie stillness. The earth no longer shook.
And on the fortieth day… the entire village was swallowed in silence.
The Devil had finally fallen asleep.
The wise man's lips never ceased their prayers. As the final words left his mouth, an unexpected light began to radiate from the massive gate. It was so brilliant that it seemed as though the sun had burst forth in the middle of the night. Slowly, the light shrank into a small spark. The spark floated in the air, weaving around the seals that were now crumbling into tiny fragments.
The wise man slowly rose from the ground, his gaze following the spark. His eyes were calm, yet his heart trembled with an unexplainable sorrow. The spark hovered above the temple for a moment before suddenly soaring into the sky.
— The Wise Man (softly, with satisfaction):
— It has set out… It has gone to seek the chosen bride…
This was no ordinary spark. It was a sign that the Devil was searching for his fate. Now, it was only a matter of time—when and whom he would choose remained unknown.
The wise man gathered the villagers in the temple. Everyone stood with reverence, ready to listen to his words. He spoke with tranquility and certainty:
— The Wise Man (in a solemn tone):
— The Devil has been put to sleep, but not forever. Now, he must be cared for. Every week, for two hours, the prayers in this book must be read. This will keep his spirit at peace.
The villagers exchanged uneasy glances. The wise man continued:
— The Wise Man (placing his hands behind his back, speaking firmly):
— The Devil will choose his bride himself. And one day, she will come to him of her own free will. All you must do is wait.
The villagers listened in heavy silence. For them, this was both a new hope and a new fear.
— The Women (whispering among themselves):
— Who will it be? Whom will he choose?
No one could answer these questions.
That day, the wise man set off on his journey. He had fulfilled his mission, and there was no longer any need for him to stay. The villagers gathered along the road to see him off.
— The Villagers (bowing respectfully):
— Be safe, wise one. You have saved us…
He looked back only once. Tiny particles of light still floated in the sky.
— The Wise Man (whispering):
— Fate will now take its course…
A single family was chosen to be the Devil's caretakers. They took the book into their hands and began studying it from the very first page.
Outside… the fate of the chosen bride was already being written…
The moderate climate of the village was as pleasant as always. Light rain barely touched the ground, and a cool breeze gently swayed the branches of the trees. It was no secret to anyone that fortune had been smiling upon the people here for quite some time. The harvest was abundant, the animals were healthy, death was rare, and wealth was increasing. However, the reason for all this prosperity remained a mystery to all.
At that time, the Hvan family was still fulfilling their duty. The heavy responsibility passed down from generation to generation weighed on their shoulders. This duty brought neither fame nor a prosperous life. On the contrary, for them, it was a curse.
This evening, the Hvan family gathered at their home. Their courtyard was larger than most, though it was not the grandest place in the village. Inside, the lights were burning, smoke filled the air, and a heavy silence hung over the room.
— Hvan Kekun (the head of the family, speaking in a serious tone):
— The Devil... is not obeying.
The members of the family sitting around the table watched him attentively.
— Hvan Yoshin (his older brother, taking a deep breath):
— The prayers aren't working. Even though they are recited for two hours every week... sometimes, he awakens.
Upon hearing this, the Hvan family exchanged worried glances. This was a major problem. The Devil had remained silent for a century, but now he was showing signs of discontent.
— Hvan Yumin (the eldest woman, looking down):
— Perhaps... the bride has already been born?
Everyone silently processed this thought.
— Hvan Kekun (frowning):
— Perhaps. But... if she has been born, why have we not been given any sign of it?
— Hvan Yoshin (thoughtfully):
— Maybe she is not ready yet? Or... maybe she is still young?
These questions weighed heavily on their hearts. If the bride had already been born, who was she? Where was she? How could they find her?
The family did not want to act hastily. But they knew one thing: the Devil was not one for patience.
Meanwhile... in another village...
In a distant village where the people lived in happiness and prosperity, there was a truth no one knew. Since the day a girl had been born there, fortune had been showered upon the land. The soil was fertile, the climate moderate, disease was absent, and nature was beautiful.
And no one knew... that her fate had already been written.
The 15-year-old girl walked so lightly that it seemed as though there were no earth beneath her feet, but clouds. With every step she took, flowers bloomed, a soft fragrance filled the air, and swarms of sparrows fluttered around her like butterflies.
The villagers called this girl the "Fortune Blossom" and considered her a sign of divine grace.
She was the bearer of a remarkable fate. Since childhood, the village's ruler had raised her as his own daughter. She was full of kindness, delicate, and refined, yet she possessed a strength of character unique to her.
As for the imperial princes...
They attempted to capture Yulbi's attention with precious gifts, gold-embellished jewelry, and the finest silk fabrics. However, the girl never allowed any of them to get close.
Today, Yulbi walked around the orchard, the gentle wind playing with her hair, while birds fluttered low around her. Just then, from afar, a prince in imperial attire rode up on a noble horse…
His gaze was fixed solely on Song Yulbi.
Yulbi shuddered, as if her breath had been stolen from her. She quickly tried to step back, intending to escape, but the prince didn't give her a chance.
In a swift motion, he grabbed the delicate girl, her thin silk dress fluttering in the wind. Yulbi let out a soft gasp, her eyes wide open. She tried to step back again, but the prince moved quickly, lifting her off the ground and pulling her into his arms.
— Prince Jun Min (whispering, near her ear): — Don't run away, Yulbi… Since I saw you, my heart has been restless… I've grown used to you.
Yulbi trembled, shaking her head. Her delicate hands pressed against the prince's broad, strong shoulders. She struggled to break free, but Jun Min tightened his hold.
— Yulbi (whispering, trying to catch her breath): — Let me go, Prince… This isn't right...
Jun Min didn't listen to her. He placed Yulbi inside a carriage, then sat beside her. The girl gasped for air and tried to leave again, but the prince pulled her back. His hands held her waist firmly.
— Prince Jun Min (eyes shining, earnestly): — If your heart hasn't awakened yet, I'll wait… But don't deny me, Yulbi. I can give you more than the gifts that have come to you over the years… I love you.
