It's Time to Take Revenge

The clock Strikes backwards

✧･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?