Since the magical afternoon session with Wang Joon, Areum felt like her world had turned upside down. Her heart no longer followed normal rhythms. Sometimes it pounded fast when she remembered his smile. Other times, it slowed when she thought about the 'future' and... leaving everything behind.
In her room, she stood before the mirror wearing a soft-colored hanbok.
"Soa… do I look okay today?"
Soa smirked mischievously. "Every day, Agassi looks 'okay' when you're about to meet Your Majesty."
Areum pinched her cheek. "Please, heart… don't embarrass me again in front of him…."
Meanwhile...
Wang Joon was standing in the palace garden — the same spot where he and Areum used to sit together. His hand held something — a delicate chain with a finely carved flower-shaped pendant.
The guard: "Your Majesty… is that for…?"
Wang Joon only smiled.
"Not for the nobility. Not for politics. But for someone who keeps my heart always busy."
That afternoon, Areum was called to the palace's back garden. But this time… there was a little twist.
She suddenly saw… a "strange mission" hanging from a tree, written on a large cloth sign:
> "If you want to know what's in my heart, solve this first, the strange girl from the future."
– Wang Joon
Areum's eyes went wide. "Is this a prank?? Are we doing a scavenger hunt from the Goryeo era or what?"
Soa laughed. "Your Majesty told me to follow and help… but I barely understand what this activity is about. Only you, Miss Areum, can 'get inside' His Majesty's head right now."
Wang Joon's game began.
Areum needed to find clues leading to a secret place — and each clue was full of playful puzzles in a "Goryeo x BTS style" vibe:
- **First clue:** Hidden in her own bedroom pillow pile (hidden there by the palace servants on Wang Joon's orders).
- **Second clue:** Inside her food tray — beneath a heart-shaped rice ball.
- **Third clue:** Between the books… in the secret library room at the palace.
As she searched, her heart pounded more and more. One by one, she found notes from Wang Joon — all with insanely sweet words:
> "You disturb my life… but I'm starting to like this chaos."
> > "You… are truly different, Areum. Like you come from a world I've never seen. But for some reason… when you smile, I feel at peace. As if all my burdens and past… just vanishes."
> "Areum, I'm not good with words. But through this game, I hope you'll know — I'm not playing around."
Areum touched her chest. "I feel like I'm about to explode right now…"
Finally, she reached a small room at the end of the garden — decorated with tiny lanterns and flowers Wang Joon planted himself (with the help of the guards, of course).
Wang Joon stood in the middle. No formal attire. Just a simple, soft-colored robe.
Areum walked slowly… her steps seeming to float. When she reached him — Wang Joon only extended a small, red velvet box.
> "This is for you. I don't know how long you'll stay by my side. But I don't want to be late. I don't want to regret silent years too long."
Areum opened the box — revealing a flower-shaped chain.
She froze.
Wang Joon looked into her eyes. Slowly, he spoke:
"Since you came… I've started to understand… sometimes, it doesn't take long to fall in love. Just the right person."
Areum bit her lip. "I… can't handle this if you keep saying things like that…"
Wang Joon smiled — and then did the wildest thing that night…
He chuckled softly, slapping his forehead.
"This is all crazy… but maybe I'm going crazy because of you."
Areum couldn't hold back — she laughed with tears welling up. She gently hit Wang Joon's arm.
"Ouch! Why are you so sweet today?!"
Wang Joon held her hand.
"I'm just being myself when you're around."
That night, Areum lay on her bed, clutching that flower chain… with a smile that never faded.
"Soa…"
"Yes?"
"If my heart already starts to like… is it hard to forget?"
Soa smiled sadly.
"If love is real… we won't want to forget it either."
To Be Continued…