Joseon 1510

I woke up to the sound of people whispering. I want to open my eyes and see those faces but I can't help but to listen more.

"Is she awake yet?"

"Obviously not"

"Shut up you two! Your sister is sleeping!"

"She's always asleep"

"If I'm only older than you I would've punched you the face right now"

"Try it"

"I will-"

"She's awake!"

"Hyera, go tell mum and dad she's awake"

"Ugh fine"

I fluttered open my eyes and met with concerned faces.

"Hey sis, you alright?" The guy said and gave my shoulder a light squeeze

"Who are you? And why are you touching me?" I said with a disgusted expression on my face and took his hand off my shoulder. The guy looked hurt and looked at the other guy.

"You really don't remember us?" The other guy asked and I shook my head confused. The door burst open and came in a young girl and a man who was holding hands with my mom. What? My mom?!

Mom walked over to me dressed in golden embroided hanbok and accessories in her hair. She hugged me tight and I hugged her back. 

"Seyi-ah, we were all worried for you! You passed out for 3 days. Thank God you're okay" She cried and kissed my forehead

"Where am I?"  I asked her

"What do you mean? You are in your room." She said and I looked around to take a good view. This was nothing like my room. The bed was made of soft burgundy fabric. The study table was stacked with piles of books and an ink and a quill. The whole room was royally furnished. I faced the other four unfamiliar faces and all of them were looking at me sadly.

"How come she only remembers mom?" Asked the guy from earlier

"Honey, do you really not remember anything?" Asked my mom

I shook my head

"I've never been here before." As I said that the girl widened her eyes in shock

"We are always here!" The girl tearfully said and the man comforted her

"I think Seyi needs time to remember things. She needs to rest for now." The man said calmly

"Yeah, let Hyera and Sejeong help her remember" Mom said

"Hyera? Your name is Hyera?" I asked the girl and she nodded happily

"I'm your sister!" Hyera said and I gaped my mouth open

"I don't have a sister" I replied

Hyera looked like she was about to cry and slammed the door.

Now I feel bad

"What bite her?" Asked the guy

"She seems upset Seyi doesn't remember her" 

"She needs to have emotional control theraphy" The guy snickered

"Jingoo! Don't talk about your sister like that!" The man scowled at him

"Sorry" Jingoo apologized

"Let's just let her rest for the day. Come on" The guy tugged at Jingoo's arm and exited together

"We will let you rest for now. Take a walk around the palace if you like. Don't worry you'll get used to this enviroment" The man said warmly and smiled.

"And just ring the bell if you need Junghye" Mom said and walked out arm in arm with the man. I opened my mouth to ask her who the hell is Junghye but the door closed. I sighed and layed down the bed, taking in the events that just happened.

"Did I time travel?" I asked myself. My head was filled with thoughts.

Someone knocked on the door and entered

A girl bowed and entered. Her hair was neatly bunned, her face was glowing white but her clothes was those of commoners you see in k-dramas. Yeah, I watch a lot of them.

She was holding a cup of tea and placed on the table beside the bedside. The air was filled with a smell that makes your insides calm. 

"Apple tea for you Princess" The girl bowed

Did she just called me Princess? I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion

"Princess?"

"Yes, please drink it before it gets cold." The girl said and bowed but I stopped her before she walks away

"Wait!"

"Anything else you need?" She asked in a sweet polite voice

"Why are you calling me Princess?" I asked her and she finds it funny

"You are Princess Seyi of Joseon" She said with a small laugh

Princess of Joseon?! As in Joseon Dynasty?!

"You mean Joseon Dynasty?" I asked her even if I know I already know

"Yes" She said

Suddenly the guy who was with Jingoo earlier barged into my room. His gaze landed on the girl and the girl looked down shyly. Then his cold gaze landed on me and it softened. He walked to me and sat down on my bed. He helped me sit up.

"I'm fine" I said

"At least drink apple tea. I made it, it's your favorite" He said

"Really?" I asked and he nodded

"I don't even know your name yet you are being kind" I said feeling ashamed of myself

"Never take an act of kindness for granted" He replied wisely

"Are you some old wise man?" I joked and both of us laughed at my joke.

"No, but I'm your brother. Crown Prince Minjae of Joseon." Minjae didn't seem happy when mentioning he was Crown Prince. 

"Where's the Crown Princess?" I asked and he chuckled

"I'm looking for my wife. Perhaps you could help me find one." He offered

"Sure, I would love to." I accepted

"Great, I want to stay but I got work to do in preperation of becoming king. Junghye, take care of my sister" Minjae's voice would get ice cold when talking to her. He kissed my forehead and is off to work. I sipped my apple tea and drank the whole cup. I finished drinking it and gave the cup to Junghye.

"So you're Junghye?" I asked the girl wiping my mouth

"Yes, I'm your personal maid. And I'll help you start your new life in the palace." She smiled happily

"Can we go out now?" 

"Aren't you tired?" 

"No" I shook my head

"Then I'll help you get ready" 

I jumped out of the bed happily and changed into something nice.

***

"So where do you want to go first?" Junghye asked while she fixes my long black wavy hair into a crown braid. 

"Uhm, I don't know" I bit my lip to prevent myself to hide my excitement. 

"Library? Throne Room? Garden? Kitchen? Training field?" She asked as she looks at my face in the mirror and puts some flower hair pins in my hair.

I sigh "You make it sound like there's so many rooms in this place" 

"There is" Junghye gets a small brush and dips in light red liquid. Then she applies it on my lips and my lips turn glossy. She dips and applies it on my face, and she rubs circles on my cheeks. I look at the mirror and touch my face. This was nothing like me. I don't recognize myself at all. 

"You look beautiful, you will capture every guys heart like always" Junghye said

"Thank you" I thanked her and looked down