The morning in Goryeo Palace began peacefully and softly. Sunlight seeped through Areum's bedroom window, gently caressing her face as she slept, dreaming of fried chicken and Wi-Fi. But her sleep was interrupted when the door was gently knocked from outside.
Tok! Tok!
"Princess… if I may, Miss Areum…?" a foreign voice called politely but firmly.
Areum winced and half-opened her eyes. That voice… who's this at this early hour? She quickly sat up and opened the door, tousled hair and half-closed eyes. Standing before her was a graceful young girl dressed in a palace lady's uniform.
"Who are you? Soa?" Areum asked groggily.
The girl bowed politely. "I am Yu Jin. I was specially assigned to replace Lady Soa, who has been called back to the Queen's residence for official purposes. Starting today, I will take care of the princess… I mean, Miss Areum."
Areum rubbed her head. "Huh? Why change the lady-in-waiting like changing a phone?"
Yu Jin didn't laugh. She remained standing straight, her face serious and slightly tense. "This is an order from the palace authorities. I will ensure all your needs are well taken care of."
Areum raised an eyebrow. "Alright, then… but please don't wake me up so early again, okay?"
Yu Jin nodded, but her expression remained unchanged. Inside, Areum could only sigh. 'This new lady-in-waiting has no emotion! How can I stand her?!'
*In the palace gardens — noon*
Areum walked slowly through the garden. Today, her heart felt strange… for some reason. Since her incident with Wang Joon yesterday, she felt like…
"Salting?!" she shouted softly while slapping her own cheek.
Yu Jin, who was accompanying her, looked at her with surprise. "Miss Areum talking to herself?"
Areum chuckled shyly. "Eh, no… I was just… practicing for a theater dialogue!"
Yu Jin still didn't understand but continued to follow her. Inside, her mind jotted down something. This girl was too odd. But… an intriguing kind of odd.
*Meanwhile, inside the palace*
Wang Joon was standing on a palace balcony, gazing toward the garden. A gentle smile played on his lips.
"She's really peculiar… but why do I feel lonely when I don't see her for a day?" he whispered softly.
*That evening, in Areum's chamber*
Yu Jin was helping Areum prepare herself because Prince Wang Joon had invited her to a special dinner with a royal guest entourage from the western provinces. As Areum tried to comb her own hair, Yu Jin gently stopped her.
"Miss Areum, let me help. That's not how palace ladies do their hair."
Areum huffed. "Ugh… it's just hair. Not like I'm entering a beauty queen contest…"
Yu Jin shook her head softly. "Miss Areum is a honored guest of the prince. You are now a focus of attention in the palace. Your actions and appearance… will be watched."
Areum fell silent. Her heart fluttered. Attention? Who's paying attention? Prince Wang Joon? Suddenly, her chest felt tight with feelings she couldn't quite understand.
She looked at herself in the mirror, clutching the small pendant Wang Joon gave her during their chat by the lake last night. She gripped it tightly.
'If this really is a dream… why does it feel so real? And why don't I want to wake up more and more?'
Outside, Yu Jin waited with a calm face — but inside, her heart had already begun to change, subtly affected by the sincerity and honesty of the girl from the future.
To Be Continue...