𝑩𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆 | 정원

29

Birds chirped outside, and bright sunlight streamed in through the tall windows. The white curtains billowed gently, and a soft breeze blew Ji-ah's hair into her face. She brushed it aside, squinting as she noticed a figure standing before her.

Jungwon.

He stepped toward her, his lips curling into a sweet smile, dimples appearing in his cheeks.

"Thank you, Your Highness," a voice said. Another figure stood nearby, and Ji-ah realized she seen him before. He was the artist who painted her portrait.

Is she dreaming again? She must be.

The artist bowed slightly and exited the room, leaving only her and Jungwon in silence.

This time, the dream felt even more vivid. She glanced down and moved her hands, feeling too aware in the dream.

Jungwon reached out, gently holding her hand, his eyes soft and warm.

"Jungwon..." she murmured, uncertain.

"Yes?" he replied, his voice soothing.

"Why am I..." Ji-ah trailed off, confusion swirling inside her. These dreams were becoming overwhelming.

"Don't worry. I can assure you that the portrait is as beautiful as you." He smiled, unaware of Ji-ah's anxious heart.

"That's not what I meant-"

A strong gust of wind blew into the room, cutting off her words.

Ji-ah let go of his hand, shielding her face as the sudden wind whipped around her, throwing her off balance. She struggled to steady herself, trying to make sense of everything.

"Jungwon!" Ji-ah called, panic rising in her voice. A crash echoed behind her, and the wind howled as debris and fog burst into the room, clouding her vision.

The force of the wind was overwhelming. Ji-ah instinctively reached out for Jungwon, her fingers brushing empty air before something hard struck her leg.

She yelped in pain, collapsing onto something soft. She blinked, disoriented, staring down at what should have been the wooden floor. 

But it was snow.

Slowly, her vision cleared, and the room around her dissolved. The grand walls, the windows, the billowing curtains—all gone.

Now, she was outside. The palace loomed in the distance, and the world around her was blanketed in white. Snow swirled in the air, biting at her skin as the cold wrapped around her.

Ji-ah looked up, heart pounding. The forest stretched out ahead, dark and ominous, and Jungwon was nowhere to be seen.

The same dream. Again.

Fear crawled up Ji-ah's spine, their hands clutched around her mind and body. 

"Ae-ra!" a voice yelled from behind.

Ji-ah spun around to see a girl she didn't recognize running towards her. Dark hair, vintage dress—like something from centuries ago.

Before Ji-ah could react, the girl grabbed her arms, pulling her up from where she'd fallen in the snow.

"Run towards the forest. Go!" The girl pushed her, her voice stricken. Soot covered her dress, and her hair was a mess.

Ji-ah froze, still trying to process what was happening.

"Why are you standing there? Run!" The girl shoved her again, glancing anxiously over her shoulder at the palace.

"Who's Ae-ra?"