POV: Hae Na Ri
So I remain on the current topic. "I just hope Alice finds her way out of the wonderland or my years of education, certifications and degrees will still go down the drain" I twirl my noodles dejectedly.
"Who is Alice?"
"Me, who fell into a rabbit hole." I realise the fairytale doesn't exist here. So I explain, "It's a story of a girl Alice who falls down a rabbit hole, goes to Wonderland and experiences some really magical and extraordinary things."
"That's interesting. Like Milna in Crystal Castle. A little girl's adventures after she falls into a castle through a mirror."
"I have never heard of that," I tell him.
"What happens at the end of Alice's story?"
"She wakes up."
He frowns. "I don't like that ending."
"I would like that ending," I say but then I look at him. No, I don't want this to be a dream. "Or maybe not. I want to go back, but I also want this to remain real. I feel like this is a better version of my world."
"Why? Because I exist here?" He is joking. A playful grin on his face as he pours himself some soup.
"Because you exist here." I blurt out, a melancholic tone slipping in subconsciously.
His hand stops, the grin faltering.
Aiyo, jincha! I slap myself inwardly.
It sounded like some romantic confession–it sounded like I was flirting. That too with a man not even on the circumference of my league.
"That's not what I mean–"
His dark eyes have lightened up. It's a devilish, arrogant half-smile. "So I suppose you will miss me if you go back?"
"No–I mean yes–I mean no, there's a lot to miss." I am rambling, stumbling over my words. "Like this amazing food exists here," I point to the food on the table, then to the chandelier and anything and everything in sight. "And this is a beautiful chandelier, and I have never seen such an exquisite vase in my world before–and this sweater I am wearing! What fine fabric it is! And I am sleepy, goodnight Your Majesty!"
I get up, throw him a bow and waltz out of there like a scene from Gone With the Wind.
On my way to my room, I find myself smiling, embarrassed. He was just teasing me. I didn't have to run away like a blushing bride.
This smile leaves my face the moment I open the door.
Mrs. Kang is sitting inside.
On a couch, in the small sitting area. Jenny and her two friends are standing here, too. Just beside her. There is another maid, who had served us dinner. More like directed others to do it. She is the only one with a name tag–a number tag really. 543. No apron. She swears a green blazer over a white blouse and green skirt.
I decide I will call her Alice.
Mrs. Kang clears her throat. "Hae Nari'sshi, done with your dinner?" Her tone doesn't imply this is a good natured chitchat. "There is one thing I must make clear to you. Please come out."
She stands and elegantly walks out of the room, hands clasped under the drape of her hanbok. This reeks of trouble!
I hesitate before following her out. She stops right in the hallway outside.
She has a proud face, a chin held high and eyebrows that seem to be looking down upon me. "Women are trying to seduce His Majesty all the time. Becoming the queen is a lot of women's dreams. You will not be the only one," she says.
I want to rebuke her, but her stern glower stops me short. She doesn't like to be interrupted.
"But getting pregnant will not go in your favour. Getting into his bed will not make him marry you." Mrs. Kang changes into a queen dowager before my eyes and I become a lowly concubine in danger of getting flogged because the emperor visited my bed chamber.
The genre has changed from romance to historical makjang.
"What are you saying?" I stare at her. What did I do?
"Consider this a warning. Don't try any dirty tricks. At most, you will be a fun little thing for His Majesty to have a good time–though he isn't the kind to keep a mistress." A malicious smile creeps on her face, distorting her pretty features.
Her words are deliberately scornful; They are meant to humiliate me. That is why she brought a quiet audience with her.
But neither she is queen dowager nor I am a lowly concubine.
I try to keep a poker face. "I think His Majesty is too smart for any tricks. A grown up man who rules a country and commands an army. I doubt anyone can cover his eyes and say meow."
"I know," she snaps.
"But to warn me like this, doesn't that mean you don't have faith in His Majesty's judgement?" I blink innocently. I stole that line from a historical drama in my world.
How ridiculous we sound!
A crimson tinge rises in Mrs. Kang's cheeks. "YOU!" Some curse word is likely at the tip of her tongue.
Maybe I went too far. I should have kept quiet. Queen dowager or not, she definitely has power here. The palace politics gets people like me killed.
But it's too late to think of all that.
I have already humiliated her in front of her subordinates.
She huffs in fury but doesn't say anything. However her silent fury suddenly calms down. It makes it look like she has come to some chilling decision.
With her chin held high, she leaves the room. Everyone else follows. I see Jenny glance at me, then away.
Jincha, Nari'ya, you should have held your tongue! You aren't cut out for this palace politics.
"Anyways," I mutter to myself and collapse into the bed without changing. "Please let it be my world when I wake up…"