Choi Sang-u prided himself on two things: surgical precision and avoiding romance like a virus. He had no time for politics, fashion, or feelings. In fact, he barely had time for food. He lived in scrubs, slept in 20-minute power naps, and communicated mostly through sighs and coffee orders.
So imagine his reaction when he woke up in a silk robe, on a royal bed, in a palace that smelled like a flower shop had exploded.
"...What in the anesthesia-induced fever dream is this?" he croaked.
The room was absurdly grand. Gold-lined pillars, chandeliers bigger than his entire apartment, and a fireplace so big it could fit a whole city. Also, a butler was bowing in the corner like this was totally normal.
"Your Majesty," the butler said reverently. "You've finally awoken."
Sang-u blinked. "Your... what?"
The door burst open. A man in a crisp black uniform with a sword at his side marched in, kneeling.
"General Ku Do-won, Head of Imperial Security, at your service, Your Majesty."
"Okay, pause," Sang-u said, raising his hand. "I think you've got the wrong guy. I'm not a king. I'm not even on time for half my surgeries. Also, I think I might still be asleep."
Ku Do-won looked up, frowning. "You are Emperor Lee Hwa-jun. 30th ruler of Joseon. We were told your memory might be unstable due to the attack."
"Attack?!" Sang-u yelped, patting his chest. "Do I look stabbed to you?"
"No. But you were in a coma. You collapsed after the ceremony. Poisoning, we suspect. The traitor has been-"
"Whoa, whoa, traitors? Comas? Emperors?" Sang-u held up both hands. "This isn't just a fever dream. This is a K-drama."
Just then, the door creaked again. And in walked a woman who made Sang-u's breath catch-not because she was beautiful (she was), but because she looked like she wanted to strangle him.
"Ahn Yuna," she said coolly, "Empress of Joseon. Fiancée, technically. But if you keep delaying our wedding, I might just cancel it and marry my bodyguard."
Sang-u blinked. "Wait... you're my what?"
"Your problem," she said flatly. Then, with a flick of her hanbok, she turned to leave. "Try not to embarrass the empire on your first day back from the dead."
Ku Do-won cleared his throat and whispered, "She's... intense."
"You think?" Sang-u muttered. "I just got dumped by someone I never dated."
But before he could catch his breath, the palace secretary rushed in.
"Your Majesty! The Prime Minister awaits. Parliament demands your presence regarding the border treaty. The Japanese Empire's ambassador will arrive shortly!"
"Border? Treaty? Politics?" Sang-u groaned. "No offense, but I barely passed civics in high school."
The secretary blinked. "But... you gave the throne speech last month. You declared the modernization of the imperial medical board and insulted twelve nobles in under five minutes. It went viral."
"Wait-I insulted nobles and went viral?" Sang-u shook his head. "I think I kinda like this guy."
"But there's also a war tension," Ku added grimly. "Japan's Empire is mobilizing."
"Fantastic. War, weddings, and weird royal responsibilities." Sang-u exhaled. "If this is a dream, I really need to fire my subconscious."
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END OF CHAPTER 1