W O R K 
Chapter Four

She nibbled carefully at her fruit, knowing well that if she ate it all she wouldn't have a fresh one until the next day. Her hair was a mess, she had to change into an awful looking white night gown, which was so not couture if you asked her. Her blanket was ruffled and in the corner of the room. She would look around, but there was nothing to look at. It was just a plain old, four cornered wooden home. 

"I'm still hungry.." Jinah felt her stomach growl, and she resisted the urge to continue eating, leaving 3/4 of the fruit carefully on her blanket. She gripped her stomach as she thought of her mom's scrambled eggs and pancakes that we always ready for her and MinYoung when they woke up. She could almost smell it. Then, she felt an ache in the pit of her stomach.

"Omma..." she whispered, "are they looking for me?" 

Moments later, her door flung open, and standing there was Prince Luhan. Pampered, sharpened, and ready for the day. "Morning Sunshine," he rolled his eyes, throwing a carefully sewed dress with detailed lace and embroidery in her lap, "Get dressed. You have work to do. Ew, and fix your presentation while you're at it."

Her eyes rounded at the sight of the dress. "Why can't I just wear my own clothes? Who does labor work in a dress?! And for your information, there isn't a single mirror in here, so you can't blame me." She turned her back, hoping that if she counted to three he would finally go away and this stupid dream she had would be gone for good. 

Luhan could only laugh as he pulled out a tiny pocket mirror from his jacket and carefully fixed his hair with it. "You can't wear your own clothes because people would know you're not from here. Too bad you're not royalty, though. You would've had this and a ier selection of clothes." 

She fake gagged at his comment and stood up, entangling her hair with her fingertips, because having a brush was not in the question. "Just get out you ! I'll be out soon." She pushed him out the door and slammed it shut, making the wood vibrate just enough for her to feel it on her hands. She sighed, pressing her back against the wall as she slid down. 

She couldn't help but give a bitter laugh. To think just yesterday she was over her best friends house while their little sisters were playing downstairs...

There were women all around her, practically wearing the same dress, almost as if it were a specific uniform they had to wear to do chores. Some women were doing laundary, by hand of course, some pumping wells, and others sewing clothes for families. *Is this what it's really like for peasants?* 

Jinah bit her lip, standing in the middle of the village confused as to what she needed to do. *Aish. Where's that stupid prince when you need him?* 

"Wahh~ Unnie! So pretty!" A tiny voice chirpped out from under her, and Jinah couldn't help but look down. 

The little girl resembled MinYoung in a way: she had a bright smile, long dark hair, and her attitude at first impression seemed...happy. SoEun smiled at the little girl, not being able to help the hearrt ache of already missing MinYoung. "And what's your name, little one?" She grinned. 

"I'm Ara! And I'm this many!" She waved one hand in the hair, with her tiny fingers spread apart and her smile reaching her ears. Jinah laughed and ruffled her hair, standing up. "Nice to meet you, Ara." She winked at her little sister figure, and within seconds, a woman appeared from behind. 

"Ara! What have I told you about talking strangers!" The woman wasn't too old, but the wrinkles and bags and dark circles under her eyes didn't help her age. Jinah felt pity for this woman, and for the others who have to live like this while that stupid Prince lives in a gold castle. The woman's dress was torn at the bottom, her shoes were worn out, and she looked like she hadn't showered in days. 

Ara's voice brought Jinah out of her trance. "Omma! She's really nice!" The woman stopped, and studied her really hard. She didn;t recognize her at all, which was strange because everyone in the village knows everyone. 

"Where do you come from?" She asked suddenly. Jinah's eyes widened, not prepared for this question. "I-I um.." 

"She came from a town hours away, Ahjumma," Kai's voice from behind called out, "no need to worry. She's safe. Honest." He gave her a reassuring smile as he approached the two, resting his hand on Jinah's shoulder. 

"AHH! Kai Oppa!" Ara held her palms out infront of her, her big chocolate eyes looking up into him. Kai chuckled, pulling out a small piece of candy and dropping it in her hands. "Now work hard and listen to your mother, neh?" He patted her head as the little girl nodded and cheered, happily skipping away with her mom. 

Jinah let out a sigh of relief, pressing her palm to her chest. "Kai...honestly...I just want to go home. I don't know how I'm gonna make it in here." She hiked up her dress a bit, only to sit down on the small bricks that were going to be used to build a church. He sighed, taking his cap off. "There's not much we can do. Just pray that Luhan meets his princess soon." With that, he bowed his head and walked away.

Yeah, she scoffed. As if any girl is going to even show a shred of interest in him. She stood up, looking over at the women pumping the wells and sighs. *They're not gonna pump themselves* 

"Luhan, if you will, I'd love some red wine." Called the first man. 
"Oh! And some fresh clothes would be spectacular!" Added the second.
"Don't forget to polish my shoes!" Finished the third.

"It will be ready, Master Sehun." 
"Yes, your majesty." He replied to Chen.
"No worries," he grabbed Kyungsoo's loafers and rolled his eyes the second his back was turned. Luhan may be a prince, but he's a servant to the three rulers. 

That is, for now. 

*All I need to do is fall in love and then this land is mine, and everyone can live their free and happy lives that they deserve* He has to play pretend and be nice so the three don't suspect anything. He practically growled in his head as he vigorously scrubbed on the loafers. His fingers were getting raw, so he took a break. 

Sehun took a sip from his gold cup, and laughed. "The mirror is not magic, Chen. That is simply a tale." 

Luhan's eyes narrowed as he heard their conversation from the other room. He held the brush in his hand and the loafer in the other, being dead silent so he could hear everything. *They have that mirror?* 

"Nonsense, Sehun. You know very well that mirror can take you into any demension or time frame you would like." 
"Oh yeah? Then why hasn't it worked on me?" He retaliated. 

Kyungsoo leaned back on his throne, his fur cape slowly and smiled. "Because you don't have a real reason to. The mirror knows when you need to leave, and the mirror knows whether or not you should." 

Luhan's eyes rounded, dropping the shoes and bucket of water, making the whole room flood with soap and creating a slippery sensation. *CRAP!* He thought, covering as much as he could with towels and even his own clothes. 

"Luhan? Everything alright in there?" Kyungsoo called. He would murder him if he found out his loafers were completely soaked. 

"Y-Yes sir! No worries!" Luhan cursed under his breath looking at the mess he created. But for some reason, he suddenly didn't care. He now knew a secret no one else in Elipse did. 

*You stupid girl, now I finally now how to get you back to your dull old hometown* He smirked.

Hello lovelies! Yes, I updated like I promised. Sorry if it's so late! 

But yes! There's a chance Jinah can return to her family! But so soon? Hmm...