The evening sky appeared calm, but within the lavish and secretive palace, the tension was becoming increasingly apparent. Areum walked slowly through the palace corridor, her eyes fixed on the gleaming floor. Every step she took was shadowed by a tension she couldn't quite explain. A strange feeling came and went in her heart, as if something bigger was waiting to happen — something that would change the course of her life in this palace.
Ahead of her, Yu Jin, the handmaiden who had arrived just a few days ago, walked gracefully, accompanying Areum. Since her arrival, Yu Jin had begun to take an important place in Areum's life. Not just because of her polite demeanor, but also due to how Yu Jin constantly reminded her of the rules and protocols that needed to be followed in the palace.
"Lady Yu Jin," Areum spoke softly, "Is something bothering you? You seem a little… off today?"
Yu Jin paused for a moment, turning to Areum with a mysterious smile. "Everything is fine, Miss. Just… a bit of concern about what's been happening in the palace lately."
Areum raised an eyebrow. "What's going on?"
Yu Jin sighed gently. "There are rumors spreading. Some nobles are growing restless. They're talking about the throne… about Prince Wang Joon's future."
Areum froze for a moment, her heart racing. Although she didn't fully understand the world of palace politics, she knew enough to realize that the throne was an extremely serious matter. "What do you mean? Are they doubting Prince Wang Joon?"
Yu Jin nodded slightly. "They don't doubt his strength. But some believe he's not yet ready to lead. There are whispers suggesting alternative candidates for the throne."
That strange feeling returned to Areum's chest. She looked at Yu Jin intently, trying to digest every word. "So… someone wants to take the throne?"
Yu Jin took a deep breath. "Perhaps. It's all speculation, but no one really knows what's happening behind the scenes."
Areum remained silent. The thought of palace politics was a far cry from the life she once knew. Yet she realized, if there truly was a power struggle behind closed doors, she couldn't just stand by and do nothing. But what could she do? She was just a girl from the future, trapped in a foreign world.
And in an instant, her thoughts turned to Wang Joon. Was he involved in this tension? Did he know what was going on around him? Or… would he become a victim in a much larger game?
That night, in a grand chamber, Prince Wang Joon sat on a chair adorned with luxury, his eyes focused on the documents before him. His hand moved slowly, reading each line with great care. Though he appeared calm on the outside, his heart had never felt so uneasy.
"Your Highness," Yu Jin greeted, bringing along Areum, who looked slightly nervous behind her.
Wang Joon looked up and smiled faintly, a trace of exhaustion in his expression. "You came at the right time. There's something I need to discuss."
Areum lightly touched Yu Jin's arm, feeling a bit awkward. "Is this something important?" she asked, trying to sound confident despite her anxiety.
"It seems like a bigger problem is growing. There are whispers of discontent about my leadership in the palace. They say I'm not mature enough," Wang Joon said bluntly, his voice not entirely steady.
Areum was taken aback but tried to hide her reaction. "What will you do?"
Wang Joon smiled, but this time, it lacked his usual brightness. "I don't know, Areum. All of this is spiraling out of control. What matters most now is protecting this palace and ensuring everything runs smoothly. I don't want anyone affected by… politics."
He looked at Areum for a moment, as if searching for answers he couldn't find himself. Areum returned his gaze, and to her surprise, something deep stirred inside her. She wanted to help—but what could she do? She was just a girl trapped in the past, in a world that didn't belong to her.
Yet, with a small but confident step, Areum walked closer. "Prince Wang Joon, I don't know what the future holds, but I know one thing. We're here now, and I'll always be here to help you."
Wang Joon looked at her with such feeling, and for the first time, his usually cold eyes softened. "Thank you, Areum. I think… there's something very precious about you that I can't explain."
Areum was startled, and almost instantly, her face flushed. "W–what do you mean?" she asked, trying to suppress the smile forming on her face, but failing.
"It's nothing," Wang Joon replied in a low voice. "I was just thinking… maybe there's more than just the throne that I have to protect."
Areum fell silent, her heart pounding. She knew one thing for sure — this was more than just ordinary conversation. Wang Joon, this man, had already begun to change her life in ways she never imagined. But was she ready for that?
One thing Areum was sure of — she no longer wanted to return to her original world. Her heart now belonged here, in this mysterious world… and with Wang Joon, who was growing closer by the day.
The small banquet that night proceeded with joy and laughter. But behind the smiles and the cheerful atmosphere that filled the palace, a secret lingered. A secret that loomed ever closer… and one that Areum had no idea how to face.
But one thing was certain: everything in this palace was far more complicated than she had ever imagined.
To Be Continue...