✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ:⏳ Time Has a Secret Door :･ﾟ✧:･ﾟ✧

In the bustling streets of modern Seoul, a girl named Hana weaved through traffic, late for her university exam. With her backpack bouncing and her phone in hand, she cursed under her breath.

“Ugh, stupid bus! I should’ve just teleported!”

Just then, something strange caught her eye…

An ancient-looking watch shop, nestled between glass buildings. It had no sign, no open door—just a glimmering pocket watch in the window, glowing faintly.

Curiosity tugged at her.

Hana stepped closer. The world around her seemed to slow down. Her fingers pressed against the glass—

CLICK.

The window melted away.

“W-What the—?”

Suddenly, the pocket watch sprang open. It floated in midair, gears spinning wildly. Before she could scream—

WHOOSH!!

A golden light engulfed her.

Spinning... faster… faster…

Darkness.

Then—

She gasped awake on soft silk sheets. Birds chirped. The scent of cherry blossoms filled the air.

“W-Where… am I?”

She sat up and blinked.

No buildings. No phones. No Seoul.

Just an open palace courtyard, traditional hanbok robes on her, and several court ladies bowing before her.

“Princess Hana,” one whispered, “are you feeling well?”

“Princess??!”

She looked into a nearby bronze mirror and nearly screamed.

That was her face… but with a noble hairstyle, glowing skin, and elegant makeup.

A voice echoed through her mind:

"Time has chosen you. Save the dynasty. Claim your destiny."

Hana stumbled back. “This… is a dream. Just a weird dream…”

But then, an older woman stormed into the courtyard, dressed in deep crimson robes and cold fury in her eyes.

It was Lady Myung, the Queen Dowager.

Her tone was venom. “I see our little ‘princess’ has finally risen from her useless slumber.”

“Excuse me?”

“You may have the title, but remember: this palace belongs to my bloodline. Don’t overstep, orphan.”

Hana’s eyes widened. That word… orphan.

It hit her like a slap.

Before she could respond, another girl stepped forward—beautiful, delicate-looking, with a mocking smirk.

It was Sook-Yi, her stepsister.

“I’ll be sure to help you get back on your feet, dear sister,” she purred. “As long as you remember who truly belongs on the throne.”

Hana clenched her fists.

Oh, this wasn’t just a dream.

This was war.

That night, she snuck into the palace library.

Scrolls, maps, timelines—she studied them all, trying to understand what era she had landed in.

It was the Joseon Dynasty. But… oddly different. This timeline had no known records of her.

That’s when she met Eunji, a young palace maid with a sharp mind and kind eyes. She became Hana’s confidante.

“You’re not like the other royals,” Eunji whispered.

Hana gave a crooked smile. “That’s because I’m from the future.”

Eunji’s eyes widened—but then she grinned. “Then maybe… you’re the one who can fix the broken past.”

As weeks passed, Hana learned swordplay in secret, memorized royal etiquette, and uncovered the twisted plans of Lady Myung—who had poisoned the former queen to elevate her own daughter, Sook-Yi.

“I won’t let them win,” Hana whispered one night, gripping her blade under moonlight.

Suddenly—

CRACK!

A branch snapped.

She spun around and pointed her sword—only to find a tall figure cloaked in midnight blue robes. His face was half-hidden, but his gaze… intense.

“You shouldn’t be wandering at night, Princess,” he said, stepping closer.

“Who are you?”

He smirked. “Just a man who finds you… interesting.”

Then he vanished into the shadows.

Later, Eunji whispered, “That was King Jiwoon... the most feared ruler of the northern empire. They say he can make entire armies kneel.”

Hana’s heart raced.

So that mysterious man… was him?

What had she gotten herself into?

But one thing was clear—

This kingdom was broken.

Her past was a mystery.

And her revenge… was just beginning.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

To be continued…

❀༶•┈┈୨୧┈┈•༶❀ Truth in Silk and Shadows ❀༶•┈┈୨୧┈┈•༶❀

Morning sunlight streamed through the palace windows, casting golden patterns on the floor. Hana stood by the mirror, still trying to adjust to the weight of royal hairpins, the tight hanbok, and the bowing servants at her every step.

But she wasn’t the naive girl who first fell through time. Not anymore.

"You're not here to play princess," she whispered to herself. "You're here to survive... and take back what's yours."

Suddenly—

KNOCK KNOCK!

Eunji peeked in. “Princess Hana, Lady Myung requests your presence in the Tea Pavilion.”

Hana’s stomach tightened. The viper was calling.

—— ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: ——

The Tea Pavilion was quiet—too quiet. The fragrant steam from jasmine tea couldn’t hide the bitterness in the air.

Lady Myung sat gracefully, her smile poisonous. Beside her, Sook-Yi poured tea like a dutiful daughter.

“My dear Hana,” Lady Myung purred, “You’ve been… changing. Sneaking into libraries. Speaking with generals. That’s not behavior fit for a royal girl.”

Hana sat down slowly. “Is that so? I thought queens should be educated.”

Sook-Yi raised a brow. “We only need one queen, sister.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” Hana replied with a sweet, chilling smile. “I’m not here to play second.”

Lady Myung’s smile twitched.

⚠️ This was war in lace and porcelain ⚠️

“Such spirit,” Lady Myung said, sipping tea. “But you’d do well to remember—spirit alone doesn’t win battles.”

Hana leaned closer. “Neither does treachery. But I suppose you’d know that better than anyone.”

There was a pause. Sook-Yi’s hand trembled slightly on the teapot handle.

Lady Myung’s eyes narrowed. “You presume much for someone with no blood ties.”

Hana stood. “And you forget—I’m the one the people now whisper about. The one who walks like destiny itself.”

And with that, she left, her robes fluttering like the wings of a phoenix reborn.

—— ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: ——

That evening, Hana walked the training fields, watching the soldiers practice.

She wanted to understand war—not from books—but through motion, through instinct.

That’s when she saw him again.

King Jiwoon.

This time, he was not cloaked. He stood among warriors, sword in hand, his stance powerful and fluid.

He noticed her instantly.

“You again?” he smirked. “Are you following me, Princess?”

She folded her arms. “Hardly. You just happen to appear wherever trouble brews.”

He stepped closer, sword lowered, eyes amused. “You handle words like weapons.”

“I’m learning to handle both.”

He tossed her a wooden practice sword. “Then fight me.”

“What?” she laughed. “Here?”

“Why not? You want to rule? Show me your strength.”

🔥 And so, the duel began. 🔥

Wood clashed against wood. Her arms trembled with each blow, but she refused to back down. Jiwoon’s strikes were precise—but not cruel. He was testing her.

She dodged low and aimed at his side. He blocked, spun her around, and—

WHAM! She fell straight into his chest.

He caught her.

Too close. Too warm. Too fast.

Their eyes locked.

“You fight well… for a royal flower,” he murmured.

She stared back. “Even roses have thorns.”

He chuckled, stepping back. “Let’s see if your thorns can draw blood.”

—— ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: ——

Back in her chambers, Hana collapsed onto a cushion, heart racing.

“Who is this King Jiwoon?” she whispered to Eunji.

Eunji lit the lanterns. “A ruler feared across kingdoms. Some say he has never lost a battle. But others… say he’s searching for something deeper than power.”

Hana stared at the flame.

Maybe that’s why his gaze felt like it saw through her.

He wasn’t just a king. He was a storm in human form.

And part of her… wanted to tame that storm.

—— ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: ——

Meanwhile, in the shadows of the inner court, Lady Myung paced.

“She’s gaining popularity,” a spy whispered. “Even the king of the northern lands seems intrigued.”

Lady Myung’s eyes narrowed. “That girl must not sit on the throne. Prepare the nightshade. If she doesn’t fall to words… she’ll fall to poison.”

The game had begun.

And Hana was standing on the edge of a blade.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

To be continued…

✿❀༄༅༄༅༄༅❀✿ Let the Games Begin ✿❀༄༅༄༅༄༅❀✿

The moon hung like a silver blade in the velvet sky, casting soft light across the Royal Palace. Hana stood at the edge of her veranda, the cold breeze brushing against her long black hair. The scent of plum blossoms lingered in the night air, but the beauty of it all couldn’t distract her from the chilling truth—danger was already crawling toward her.

✨ “They want me dead… and they’re getting desperate,” ✨ she murmured.

Behind her, footsteps approached.

Knock knock knock...

“Princess Hana,” whispered Eunji, her loyal maid, “a gift from the Queen Dowager. She said it’s to help you sleep better.”

Eunji set down a golden tray. On it rested a beautiful porcelain cup, steam rising from the tea, and sweet rice cakes shaped like lotus petals.

But Hana didn’t move. Her eyes narrowed.

“A gift?” she echoed. “From the woman who once said I was nothing more than a dust-born girl who should’ve been drowned at birth?”

Eunji gulped. “I… I thought it was strange too, so I haven’t let anyone touch it.”

Smart girl.

Hana stepped forward slowly and knelt beside the tray. The aroma of the tea was strong—too strong. Jasmine and honey, masking something bitter underneath.

⚠️ Her instincts screamed. Something was wrong.

She turned to Eunji, an idea flashing in her mind. “Fetch the white cat from the gardens. Now.”

“Princess?”

“Just do it. Hurry.”

Moments later, the fluffiest white cat in the kingdom was meowing in her arms. Hana dipped her finger into the tea and dabbed it on the cat’s tongue.

The reaction was almost immediate.

HISSSSS!!! The cat spat, pawed its mouth, and stumbled back, trembling.

Eunji gasped. “P-poison?!?”

☠️☠️☠️ “Nightshade,” Hana confirmed, her voice icy. “A slow killer. And very hard to trace.” ☠️☠️☠️

Eunji trembled. “Princess, you could’ve died if you drank that—”

“But I didn’t,” Hana interrupted. “They’ve made their first real move… and now it’s my turn.”

She stood tall, eyes glowing like burning embers. “Tonight, we don’t just sip tea… we serve revenge.”

———❀༶•┈┈┈•༶❀———

Midnight – Lady Myung’s Private Quarters

Lady Myung, Hana’s cunning stepmother, was enjoying her nightly wine surrounded by handmaids and luxuries. Sook-Yi, her daughter, played the gayageum nearby, her song soft and deceitful.

Then—

CRASH!!

The doors burst open. Hana walked in, regal and calm, holding the poisoned cup in her gloved hands. Her presence was like frost in a warm room.

“Good evening, Lady Myung,” Hana said sweetly. “I came to return your gift.”

Lady Myung’s lips twitched. “Such manners. I didn’t expect you to visit so late.”

“Oh, I was too touched to sleep. After all…” she held up the cup, “this blend is truly unforgettable.”

Sook-Yi froze. “Where… where did you get that?”

“The same place you sent it from,” Hana said, placing the cup on the table in front of them.

Lady Myung’s smile began to crack. “You’re accusing me of—”

“I’m not accusing,” Hana interrupted coldly. “I’m informing. This tea nearly killed my cat. A drop more, and it could’ve been me.”

The room fell into a suffocating silence.

“I had it tested,” Hana continued, her voice like silk over steel. “Nightshade. Confirmed by the palace apothecary. A plant so deadly… only someone desperate would use it.”

Sook-Yi stood quickly. “This is a setup!”

“Oh, then drink it,” Hana offered, pushing the cup toward her. “Just a sip, if you’re so sure.”

Sook-Yi flinched. Lady Myung’s eyes narrowed like a serpent.

“You think you’re clever,” she hissed.

“No,” Hana replied with a smile. “I know I am.”

She turned away. “Sleep well, My Lady. Tomorrow, the entire court will know what kind of queen you really are.”

⚖️ The game had begun. And Hana made the first strike. ⚖️

———❀༶•┈┈┈•༶❀———

Next Morning — Royal Court Assembly

The grand hall filled with nobles, generals, and court officials. Whispers echoed like wind through trees.

“Poison?”

“Princess Hana survived?”

“She dares accuse the Queen Dowager?”

Hana entered dressed in a crimson hanbok, embroidered with golden phoenixes. Her head held high, her eyes unwavering. She walked to the center of the court and bowed.

“I stand before you today as the true daughter of the late Queen Nari,” she declared. “And I accuse Lady Myung of attempted murder.”

Gasps rang out.

Lady Myung stepped forward, her face pale. “This is treason! You dare slander the royal matron?!”

Eunji handed the Minister a scroll. “The poison was verified. Nightshade—rare and restricted.”

The Minister raised it. “The seal of the palace apothecary confirms this. A deadly substance was delivered to Princess Hana in the guise of tea.”

The court fell into chaos.

“This cannot be!”

“An attack on a royal heir?”

“She must be punished!”

King Jiwoon sat at the edge of the room, hidden behind a screen, observing it all. His eyes gleamed with respect.

“She’s fierce,” he whispered. “Fierce… and fearless.”

———❀༶•┈┈┈•༶❀———

That Evening — Hidden Garden

The stars blinked above, and a gentle wind rustled the cherry blossoms. Hana sat by the koi pond, watching the ripples in the water.

Jiwoon stepped from the shadows, quiet as a panther.

“You were brilliant today,” he said.

She didn’t turn. “It was only the beginning.”

He came closer. “You’ve made enemies. But also admirers.”

She glanced up. “Are you one of them?”

He smirked. “More than you know.”

Hana stood. “I will take back what they stole from me. My mother’s honor. My title. My future.”

“And I will help you,” Jiwoon said solemnly. “Not as a king… but as a man who believes in you.”

Her heart skipped.

He reached out. “Let us burn away the old world… and build a new one together.”

Their hands touched. A promise was made.

❤️‍🔥 In that moment… fire met fire. And nothing would be the same again. ❤️‍🔥