It was already 30mins past 12am and Ha-rin couldn't sleep that night. She laid on her bed, staring at the ceiling. Her thoughts refused to settle. Every time she closed her eyes, the dream kept coming back to her, over and over. But much clearer each time, especially, the Crown Prince turning, almost enough for her to see his face.
And, Jae-min's gaze. The way he had looked at her and how he said that name. The thought of it alone made her crumble. Her fingers instinctively tightened around the blanket.
"This isn't normal." She cried, abruptly sitting up. Her hand rushed through her hair in frustration. She had tried but hadn't been able to keep her heart calmed since leaving work. Everything felt tangled, confusing and overwhelming to process alone.
Without thinking further, she reached for her phone and dialed. The call connected after a few rings and then, a voice came through.
"Hello?" Min-Ji's sleepy voice invaded the silence.
"Are you awake?"
"I am now," Min-Ji groaned. "What happened? Did something explode? Did you get fired? Did you fall in love with your CEO already?"
"Min-Ji." She exclaimed. Her tone was serious and that alone was enough to wake her friend up.
"Okay, wait. That tone is not normal. What's going on?" Ha-rin hesitated for a second before going on.
"Can I come over?" There was a pause.
"Now?"
"Yes."
", Alright, I'll keep the door opened."
Ha-rin exhaled softly. "Thank you."
Soon, she headed over and arrived half an hour later. Min-Ji's apartment was quite similar to hers. She was already at the hall when she came in. After she'd settled in, Ha-rin told Min-Ji all that had happened and she couldn't believe her ears.
"You're telling me," Min-Ji said slowly, sitting cross-legged on the couch, "that you're having dreams about dying… in a palace… and your CEO somehow knows a name you don't even remember?"
"When you say it like that, it sounds crazy." Ha-rin lamented as she sat right across from her, tightly hugging a pillow.
"It is crazy," Min-Ji said bluntly. "But also, weirdly dramatic. I kind of love it."
Ha-rin groaned. "I'm being serious."
Min-Ji leaned forward. "I know." Her expression softened.
"Okay… jokes aside. This isn't normal, Ha-rin."
"I know," she whispered. Min-Ji studied her carefully.
"Do you feel like any of it is real?" That question made Ha-rin pause. Fidgeting with her fingers, she nodded with a yes. The answer came out quietly but firmly.
"That's what scares me."
Silence settled between them. Min-Ji reached out and nudged her lightly. "Then we figure it out." Ha-rin looked up, her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "You're not alone in this, okay?"
"Okay" She sniffed, a small smile tugged at her lips.
"For now," Min-Ji added, suddenly dramatic again, "you're sleeping here. Because if this turns into some horror story, I refuse to let you die alone."
Ha-rin laughed softly. For the first time that day—She felt just a little lighter.
The next morning came and it felt different. Yoon Ha-rin knew it the moment she stepped into the building. It wasn't just the stares, whispers or even the tension hanging faintly in the air but rather, something else. Something she couldn't quite explain. As if something had shifted and she was standing right at the center of it all.
"Good morning," someone greeted. She politely nodded as she made her way inside. Her steps slightly slowed while she approached the elevator. Her reflection stared back at her from the metallic surface.
Her eyes laced with tiredness and unsettled thoughts. Unconsciously, she touched the faint outline of the pendant resting against her chest. "…What's happening to me?" she murmured.
The elevator doors opened to the top floor and there, she noticed the atmosphere completely changed the moment she stepped out. It felt much quieter, colder and more controlled.
That definitely showed whose space it was. Jae-min's. Before she could fully process it, Hyun-woo appeared from nowhere. "Miss Yoon."
She immediately straightened. "Yes."
"This way." With no unnecessary words or explanations, he just directed to her new post. Ha-rin followed him down the hallway, her heartbeat picked up with each and every step.
After what felt like a long walk, they finally stopped in front of a large door. He just knocked once. "Come in." a voice responded, calm and steady, yet unavoidable.
The door opened and she stepped inside. Kang Jae-min stood with his back facing her, the sunlight filtered around him like a quiet halo. For a moment, she didn't speak neither did he.
"You're here." He turned and their eyes met. She felt her chest instantly tightened.
"…Yes." Her voice felt smaller than usual. Jae-min slowly walked toward the desk, controlled and measured. But his gaze never left her.
"From today onward, you'll be assisting me directly." He stated. There was no room for argument or space for refusal. Ha-rin swallowed.
"…May I ask why?" She asked. There was a brief pause as he studied her.
"As part of your training." The answer was simple but not entirely convincing. A fain frowned curtained her gaze.
"That's not how interns usually—"
"Sit." He immediately halted her and she sat. Jae-min moved behind the desk, placing a file in front of her. "Organize these." He briefly added. She looked down at it and froze.
Her fingers hovered over the file and it read; Joseon Palace Records. Her heart skipped and she looked up. "I heard you've ordered that I stay away from this."
He didn't respond but instead, stepped closer. One step after the other until he found himself beside her. Her breath remained caught in her throat. "I said you shouldn't handle it alone," he corrected quietly.
The words felt more intentional and personal than it should have been. Which made her look up at him, confused. "What does that mean?" She asked. His gaze dropped briefly to the pendant around her neck. Then back to her face.
"It means," he said slowly, "I'm not letting you out of my sight." The atmosphere was silent, heavy and charged. She seemed to had frozen in time.
"…Why?" The question came out softer than she intended. For a long moment, he held her gaze in his. Something unreadable flickered in his eyes.
"I don't know yet." He sounded but his voice said something else entirely.