Chapter 6: Lord Kim

Ethan's eyelids fluttered open, and he was met with an unfamiliar ceiling. The intricate patterns and vibrant colors seemed to dance above him, a stark contrast to the darkness that had consumed him moments before. Groggily, he sat up, taking in his surroundings. The room was lavish, adorned with ancient artifacts and furnishings that seemed to belong to a bygone era - the Joseon era, if his history lessons served him right.

Confusion clouded his mind as he scanned the room. Where was he? How did he get here? The last thing he remembered was Sooyeon's icy grip... and Minsoo's desperate cry.

A soft creaking sound broke the silence as the door slid open. A figure entered, dressed in traditional Korean attire - a hanbok - but it looked worn and simple, unlike the opulent decorations. Ethan's gaze followed the person, and their eyes met.

The servant - for that's what Ethan assumed the person was - immediately dropped into a deep, 180-degree bow. Ethan's confusion deepened. What was going on?

"Uh, get up," Ethan said, trying to shake off the haze. "No need to... do that."

The servant remained bowed, their voice barely above a whisper. "Forgive me, Lord Kim. It would be greatly disrespectful to not show the proper etiquette."

Ethan's eyes widened as the title registered. Lord Kim? What did that mean? He wasn't anyone's lord. He was just Ethan, a guy from the US who came to Korea to establish his business. Lord Kim? I like the sound of that.

"Wait, what's going on?" Ethan demanded, throwing off the covers and swinging his legs over the side of the bed. "Who are you? Where am I?"

The servant hesitated before slowly rising from their bow. Their eyes, though cast downward, seemed to hold a mix of reverence and caution.

"You are in the Kim Manor, Lord Kim," the servant replied, their voice measured. "This has been your family's estate for generations."

Ethan's mind reeled. Generations? Kim Manor? This was insane.

"I don't understand," Ethan pressed, standing up and taking a step closer to the servant. "My family... we don't have any manor."

The servant's gaze flickered, and for an instant, Ethan saw a glimmer of something - fear, perhaps, or warning.

"Lord Kim, please," the servant whispered urgently. "You must not speak of such things. Not here."

Ethan's frustration grew. What secrets was this person hiding? And why was he being treated like some kind of nobility?

Suddenly, the servant's eyes darted toward the door, and they bowed again.

"Forgive me, Lord Kim. The Lady has arrived."

Ethan's heart sank. Which Lady? Sooyeon?

The servant's words sent Ethan's mind spinning. "Your older sister, Lady Sejeong, has arrived."

Ethan's confusion deepened. Older sister? He didn't have a sister. This was insane.

The door slid open, and Sejeong swept into the room, her elegant hanbok rustling. Ethan's eyes widened as she fixed him with a glare.

"What did I tell you, Kim Eunho?" Sejeong demanded, her voice icy.

Ethan took a step back, intimidated. "Uh, I... who are you?"

Sejeong's eyes narrowed. "You dare forget your own sister?" She strode toward him, her hand reaching out.

Ethan flinched, but Sejeong merely grasped his ears, pulling them with a firm grip.

"Ow!" Ethan yelped.

"Kim Eunho, what were you thinking, trying to drown yourself in the river?" Sejeong scolded.

Ethan struggled to free himself. "Wait, what river? What's going on?"

Sejeong released his ears, only to chase him around the room.

"You foolish child!" she exclaimed, brandishing a wooden stick.

Ethan darted, dodging Sejeong's swipes. "Ah! Stop! What's wrong with you?"

Sejeong pursued him, laughing.

"You think you can escape me? I'll show you what happens when you disobey!"

Ethan stumbled, his confusion and fear giving way to amusement.

This was ridiculous.

"Okay, okay! I get it!" Ethan shouted, holding up his hands.

Sejeong halted, panting.

"Apologize for your foolishness," she demanded.

Ethan hesitated before bowing.

"I'm sorry... Noona?"

Sejeong's expression softened.

"Better. Now, let's get you ready for dinner."

Ethan's mind reeled.

Dinner?

As Sejeong dragged him toward the door, Ethan wondered:

Was this some crazy dream?

Or had he truly entered a different reality?

As they walked to the dining hall, Ethan struggled to wrap his head around this bizarre reality. Sejeong chatted effortlessly about their family's affairs, mentioning names and events that meant nothing to him.

"Eunho, you must apologize to Father for your reckless behavior," Sejeong said, her tone firm but playful.

Ethan nodded, pretending to understand.

"Who's Father?" he asked, hoping to glean more information.

Sejeong's eyes sparkled with amusement.

"Our father, Kim Jongseo, the esteemed lord of this manor."

Ethan's mind whirled.

Kim Jongseo?

He had never heard of this person.

Upon entering the dining hall, Ethan was struck by the grandeur. The room was filled with people, all dressed in traditional attire.

Sejeong nudged him.

"Remember, Eunho, etiquette."

Ethan took a deep breath and bowed, trying to mimic the others.

As they sat down, Ethan found himself between Sejeong and a stern-looking older man.

"Father," Sejeong whispered.

Ethan bowed his head.

"Apologize, Eunho," Sejeong prompted.

"Ah, yes... Father, I'm sorry," Ethan stammered.

Kim Jongseo's expression softened.

"Very well, Eunho. But next time, think before acting."

Ethan nodded, still lost.

As dinner progressed, Ethan navigated conversations, pretending to be Kim Eunho.

But his thoughts lingered on:

How did he get here?

How could he return home?

And what was Sooyeon's connection to this era?

As dinner concluded, Ethan breathed a sigh of relief. He had survived the ordeal without major mishaps.

However, his reprieve was short-lived.

While standing to leave, Ethan accidentally knocked over a candle, setting the nearby curtains ablaze.

The room erupted into chaos.

Sejeong rushed to help, shouting orders.

Kim Jongseo's face darkened.

"Eunho, what have you done now?" he thundered.

Ethan frantically helped extinguish the flames.

As the fire was brought under control, Ethan noticed a figure watching from the shadows.

A ghostly woman with piercing eyes, her face eerily familiar.

Sooyeon.

Ethan's heart skipped a beat.

Was she here to help or harm?

The tension in the manor escalated.

Kim Jongseo summoned the guards.

"Find out who is responsible for this incident," he commanded.

Sejeong approached Ethan, concern etched on her face.

"Eunho, be careful. Father's patience wears thin."

Ethan nodded, his mind racing.

How could he escape this era?

And what role did Sooyeon play in this tangled web?

As the last wisps of smoke dissipated, the dining hall returned to a sense of normalcy. The servants busied themselves, cleaning up the remnants of the chaos. Sejeong, however, seemed eager to escape the stifling atmosphere. She pushed back her chair, her movements fluid and graceful, despite the hint of restlessness in her eyes.

"Excuse me, Father," Sejeong said, her voice poised.

Kim Jongseo nodded, his expression softening.

"Go, Sejeong. Attend to your matters."

Sejeong's face relaxed into a brief smile before she turned to leave.

As she reached the doorway, Kim Jongseo's voice stopped her.

"Sejeong."

She turned back, her brow arched in inquiry.

"The Crown Prince will visit you later tonight," Kim Jongseo announced.

Sejeong's countenance transformed in an instant. Her eyes narrowed, and her lips compressed into a thin line.

"Must I receive him?" Sejeong asked, her tone laced with annoyance.

Kim Jongseo's expression turned stern.

"You will, Sejeong. It is imperative."

Sejeong's jaw clenched, her frustration evident.

"Yes, Father," she said, her voice tight.

With that, she spun on her heel and departed, leaving the dining hall behind.

As she walked, Sejeong's stride lengthened, her long legs devouring the distance. Her slender figure, usually hidden beneath the elegant hanbok, was evident in the way she moved.

Reaching her chambers, Sejeong slammed the door shut, her rare display of temper evident.

Why must she entertain the Crown Prince?

She knew the answer, of course.

Marriage.

Alliance.

Politics.

Sejeong's thoughts swirled, her mind racing with the implications.

She had always known her duty as a member of the Kim family.

But the Crown Prince?

He was arrogant, self-absorbed, and suffocating.

Sejeong's rebellion simmered, threatening to boil over.

Just then, a soft knock interrupted her tumultuous thoughts.

"Enter," Sejeong called out.

Her maid, Ji-ah, slipped inside.

"Lady Sejeong, shall I prepare your attire for the Crown Prince's visit?" Ji-ah asked.

Sejeong's gaze locked onto Ji-ah's.

"Make me look...tolerable," Sejeong said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Ji-ah's eyes sparkled with understanding.

"Yes, milady."

As Ji-ah busied herself, Sejeong's thoughts strayed to Ethan.

Kim Eunho.

Her troublesome younger brother.

A faint smile played on her lips.

Perhaps, just perhaps, Eunho's antics would provide a welcome distraction from the impending visit.

Sejeong dismissed Ji-ah with a wave of her hand.

"Summon Eunho," she instructed.

Moments later, Ethan entered, still bewildered by the evening's events.

Sejeong's eyes sparkled with mischief.

"Eunho, I need your counsel," she said.

Ethan's brow furrowed.

"What's going on, Noona?"

Sejeong paced, her agitation evident.

"The Crown Prince. I refuse to marry him. Help me escape."

Ethan's eyes widened.

"Run away," he suggested. "Come back in a few days, apologize, and pretend it was a childish tantrum."

Sejeong's face lit up.

"Brilliant!"

"But," Ethan cautioned, "it's risky. Are you sure?"

Sejeong's determination hardened.

"I'd rather die than marry that self-absorbed prince."

Ethan shrugged.

"Okay, I'm in. But we need disguises."

Sejeong grinned.

"Already prepared."

Together, they donned humble clothing and masks, blending in with the commoners.

Under the cover of night, they slipped out of the manor.

The cool air filled their lungs as they navigated the winding streets.

Laughter and excitement mingled.

For the first time, Ethan felt at home in this era.

As they reached the city gates, Sejeong turned to him.

"Where shall we go, Eunho?"

Ethan thought.

"Somewhere safe. Somewhere we can clear our heads."

Sejeong nodded.

"I know just the place."

With the city behind them, they vanished into the darkness.

Freedom.

As they rode through the woods, the moonlight casting dappled shadows on the ground, Ethan marveled at his unexpected horse-riding skills.

Sejeong laughed beside him.

"You're a natural, Eunho!"

Their carefree banter filled the air until Sejeong's horse suddenly swerved, nearly colliding with a young woman.

Sejeong expertly reined in the horse, averting disaster.

The woman stood frozen, her eyes wide.

Sejeong and Ethan quickly dismounted and approached her.

"I'm so sorry," Sejeong said, concern etched on her face.

Ethan echoed her apology.

The woman's cheeks flushed.

"It...it's alright," she stammered.

Sejeong's eyes sparkled.

"You look adorable when you're flustered," she teased.

The woman's face deepened in color.

Ethan chuckled.

"Noona, don't embarrass her."

Sejeong grinned.

"Can't help it. She's charming."

As they helped her gather her scattered belongings, Ethan's gaze locked onto the woman's face.

Something familiar.

A spark of recognition.

"Wait..." Ethan's voice trailed off.

The woman's eyes met his.

"Sooyeon?" Ethan whispered.

Sejeong's head snapped toward Ethan.

"You know her?" Sejeong asked.

Ethan's mind reeled.

Park Sooyeon.

The one who brought him here.

Sooyeon's expression transformed.

From shy to curious.

"Sorry, how do you know my name?" Sooyeon asked.

Ethan hesitated.

How could he explain?

Sejeong intervened.

"Eunho, what's going on?" Sejeong sternly demanded.

Ethan took a deep breath.

"I'll explain later, Noona."

Sooyeon's eyes sparkled.

"I'd love to hear the story."

Sejeong's gaze narrowed. "This isn't over, Eunho."