The Spin-Duck Chronicles

The evening had settled into a rhythmic pattern of rain against the stone walls of our temporary quarters, a comforting yet alien sound that seemed to encapsulate the duality of our existence in Valeraine.

The storm outside was relentless, its fury mirrored by the turmoil within me. With Grandma Hyejin resting under King Kael's vigilant care, I decided to tackle the laundry—an oddly grounding task amidst the chaos of our new life.

The makeshift laundry area was a modest space, a corner of the room repurposed with a makeshift clothesline and a collection of washing tools. I-seo had borrowed some soap from the servants who do the laundry that Prince Lucien and Damiel had invented to mimic the laundry detergent we had in Korea, and together, we began scrubbing our garments.

The rhythmic motion of washing was therapeutic, the repetitive strokes of my hands easing my frayed nerves. The cool night air mixed with the dampness from the rain, making the clothesline sway gently as I hung the garments to dry.

"I wonder if these clothes will start smelling like home after all this washing," I-seo mused, her hands deftly working the fabric.

"If only," I replied with a sigh. "I'd trade these herbal scents for some garlic kimchi any day."

Damiel wandered into the room, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. "Hey, have you guys tried singing to the clothes? Maybe they dry faster with a bit of your song? That K prop?."

I-seo laughed, shaking her head. "What did you just say? K what?" She retorted, which made Damiel's ears and cheeks flush.

"Only if you promise not to start a dance-off while we're at it." She said while doing some stretching as if she was really about to dance.

Damiel struck an exaggerated dance pose, eliciting chuckles from both of us. "No promises!"

Prince Lucien, who had been quietly observing from the doorway, joined in with a playful smirk. "You know, I think I heard the washer humming a melody before when we stayed at your house. Maybe if we sing along, it'll help speed things up."

I raised an eyebrow, amused. Now that I recall, I wasn't able to explain how the washer works. Well, they didn't bother to ask as well. "Oh really? So, what's the song? 'Spin Me Right Round'?"

Damiel grinned. "Close! Maybe something with a catchy chorus like 'Dry, Dry, Dry Your Clothes Away!'"

I-seo couldn't resist adding her own twist. "It would be even more effective if you two do the duck walk with some chicken wings dance moves."

Prince Lucien laughed, the sound echoing off the stone walls. "Imagine us waddling around with our arms flapping—Valeraine's new dance sensation!"

Without warning, Damiel launched into an impromptu verse, swaying exaggeratedly. "Dry, dry, dry your clothes away, make them light, make them bright today!"

I-seo clapped her hands in delight while watching Damiel demonstrate the duck walk with arms flapping similar to the chicken dance we have back in Korea. "And don't forget the duck-walk, quack-quack, flappity-flap!"

I couldn't help but join in encouraging them to dance more, albeit more hesitantly. "Dry, dry, dry your clothes away—okay, I admit, this is ridiculous."

Prince Lucien took a deep breath, clearly enjoying the moment. "Alright, here goes nothing... Dry, dry, dry your clothes away, flap those wings and sway today!"

We all laughed as we saw Prince Lucien demonstrate his own dance. With the stiffness of his body, everything took a sharp turn that made us laugh so hard.

"Slay!" I-seo shouted while Damiel joined in with Prince Lucien. This is literally chaos, considering we're not in Korea anymore. This will surely go viral.

As I joined in with I-seo with this ridiculous dance chronicle, we all attempted the duck walk with flapping arms, the room filled with laughter. My attempts were particularly awkward, causing Damiel to burst into even louder laughter. "Look at you, Sena! You make that dance look so… elegant."

I-seo laughed, nearly falling over from giggling. "Graceful as a swan, right?"

Lucien, trying to maintain his composure, managed a chuckle.

"Perhaps we should patent this dance. 'The Valeraine Spin-Duck.'" Damiel tried to mimic a chicken stomping his foot. I just can't handle the chaos this person has. I-seo is so amused to see what Damiel is doing while I stay beside Lucien.

Damiel, ever the prankster, wiggled his hips theatrically. "Who needs a dryer when you have our dance moves?"

As the storm outside intensified, the laughter within our quarters created a stark contrast, filling the space with warmth and camaraderie.

Just as I was about to bring in the last of the laundry, Prince Lucien walked in, his expression a mix of confusion and concern.

He held up a soaked garment, eyes wide. "Is this some kind of armor or flag?" he asked, holding up a bright pink bra with genuine puzzlement.

My face turned bright red, a mix of embarrassment and amusement bubbling to the surface. "Just… put it in the basket, Lu!"

Lucien blinked, clearly embarrassed, and quickly placed the garment where it belonged. "Apologies, Sena."

Despite my initial embarrassment, I couldn't help but laugh a little. "Armor or flag, huh? Maybe I should start a new fashion trend here."

Damiel peeked over Lucien's shoulder, unable to contain his amusement. "Hey, do you think these come with a built-in air conditioning system or is it something we raise if we surrender during battle?"

I-seo giggled. "Or maybe they double as tiny umbrellas for your neck."

The tension of the day seemed to melt away in that moment of shared humor. Rolling my eyes, I continued bringing in the rest of the laundry, grateful that the storm was starting to let up.

The steady sound of rain and the swishing of fabric made the room feel calmer as I worked, a small sense of peace settling over me despite the hectic day.

As I folded a particularly stubborn shirt, Lucien reached for a set of garments from his own collection. "Need some help with these?" he offered, holding out a dress that looked comically oversized on him.

Curious, I took the dress, noticing the vibrant colors and playful patterns.

"Are these Princess Aeliana's old dresses? They look like she was preparing for a royal costume party or something." Damiel asked while checking out the dresses as well. Princess Aeliana? I think if my memory serves me right, she is Prince Lucien's younger sister.

I-seo snorted with laughter. "She was just 10, Sena. Look at this one—she must have thought it was a superhero cape."

Lucien chuckled, clearly amused by the memory. "Yes, she did believe that every dress gave her magical powers. One day, she tried to fly off the balcony with this one. She said she remembered what she saw on what you called a TV back in Korea, she saw a movie with a hero wearing a cape."

We all burst into laughter, the image of a young Princess Aeliana attempting to soar like a bird bringing a lightness to the room. Even Damiel couldn't resist joining in. "I guess every hero needs their own cape—or in this case, their own over-the-top dress."

As I-seo carefully folded the dress, I added, "Maybe we should keep these around. They could inspire our own heroic deeds in Valeraine."

"Or scare the locals with our outdated fashion choices," Damiel quipped, earning another round of giggles.

Their support was invaluable, a reminder that we weren't alone in this strange world. Even with different foods, customs, and unexpected challenges, our friendship provided a cornerstone of strength and hope. The laughter we shared was a testament to our resilience, a way to find joy amidst the uncertainty that surrounded us.

While I was busy, I noticed I-seo and Damiel talking quietly in the corner. Their hushed tones suggested a private conversation, but the weight of the day was too heavy for secrets to remain hidden for long.

"Is everything okay?" I asked gently, walking over to them.

I-seo looked up, her eyes soft and filled with a mixture of fatigue and determination. "Yeah, just thinking about our old adventures. It helps keep our spirits up. This should keep my sanity as well since we're still adjusting to their customs here."

Damiel grinned mischievously, his eyes twinkling with unspoken mischief. "Yeah, like that time we accidentally dyed all the palace robes pink instead of red. Oh wait, that was just today."

I-seo laughed, shaking her head. "At least it wasn't as bad as your slipper chase, Sena."

"Hey, those slippers were fast! And Damiel, you know I'm right behind you!" I retorted.

Damiel chuckled. "Right behind me? More like you were sprinting in circles like a madwoman."

I-seo added with a grin, "Next time, use your own slippers, Sena. Or maybe a broomstick. Anything but that!"

"Very funny," I shot back, though a smile tugged at my lips. "Maybe I should lend you my high-speed chase techniques."

Damiel raised an eyebrow playfully. "Oh, I'd love to see that. Maybe a masterclass on slipper agility?"

I-seo giggled. "Or a tutorial on how not to trip over your own feet while running."

The camaraderie was a much-needed respite from the day's challenges, reinforcing the bonds that held us together in this unfamiliar land. Our ability to joke and laugh amidst adversity was a beacon of hope, reminding us that even in the darkest times, there was light to be found in each other's company.

As the night progressed, the storm outside began to wane, the rain tapering into a gentle drizzle that tapped softly against the windows. The rhythmic sounds provided a soothing backdrop as I reflected on the day's events. From the frantic search for Vicks to the humorous incident with the bra, each moment tested our resilience and adaptability in unique ways.

The simple act of handling the laundry had morphed into a moment of bonding, showcasing our ability to find joy even in the most bizarre situations. The playful chase with Damiel and Prince Lucien was a welcome distraction, a brief respite from the challenges we faced. It highlighted the importance of camaraderie and the light-heartedness that could sustain us through difficult times.

As I hung the last of the garments to dry, I felt a sense of accomplishment and relief. The storm had finally begun to calm, its earlier fury giving way to a peaceful stillness. The clothesline swayed gently in the breeze, a symbol of our ongoing efforts to adapt and thrive in this new environment.

Prince Lucien approached me with a genuine smile on his face. "You handled that quite well, Sena. It's good to see everyone finding their footing."

I nodded, returning his smile. "Can I just call you Luke instead of Lu? Well.... We're all learning, Luke. It's not easy, but we're getting there."

His gaze lingered on me for a moment, a silent acknowledgment of the challenges we faced together. "Indeed. And who knows? Maybe one day, Valeraine will adopt some of our traditions as well."

I laughed, the idea both amusing and heartwarming. "Perhaps. Though I think Vicks will always remain uniquely ours."

Damiel, ever the joker, waved a slipper from across the room. "Speak for yourself! I'm starting a new trend with my rainproof footwear."

I-seo giggled. "Oh please, Miel. We all know those slippers are your lucky charm."

Damiel retorted with a mock-serious tone, "Lucky? More like the reason we're always being chased. Maybe I'll invent slipper locks."

The group burst into laughter, the shared jokes creating a warm and inviting atmosphere despite the lingering challenges of the day.

As the final remnants of the storm faded into the night, I felt a profound sense of gratitude for the bonds we had forged. The day had been a whirlwind of emotions and events, but through it all, our friendship had remained a steadfast anchor. The laughter, the challenges, and the shared moments had woven a tapestry of resilience and hope, binding us together in ways that transcended our struggles.

Lying in bed later that night, the sounds of the storm now a distant memory, I reflected on the day's trials and triumphs. Grandma Hyejin's insistence on Vicks, our humorous yet frustrating search for rice, and the moments of shared laughter had all contributed to a deeper understanding of our place in Valeraine. Each experience was a step towards bridging the gap between our past and our present, creating a new sense of home amidst the unfamiliar.

With a hopeful heart, I drifted into sleep, dreaming of the day we might introduce a grain of our old world into Valeraine. Perhaps tomorrow would bring new opportunities to blend the familiar with the foreign, building a bridge between our past and our present in this strange new land.