Her Highness

I was nervous, not knowing anything was making me scared. My mind raced with fear and uncertainty. I've never been this scared in my entire life. My legs felt weak as I followed the men, their cold, impassive expressions only adding to the mounting tension. The hallway stretched endlessly before me, and I felt like I was walking into something I wasn't prepared for, something that could change everything.

Still shaken and full of questions, I reluctantly nodded and followed the men out of the room. My heart pounded in my chest, my thoughts scattered like leaves in a storm. Who were these people? What was going on? And what did they want with me?

As the car rolled to a stop, I stared out the window, my heart still racing. The sight before me took my breath away. I could barely process what I was seeing. Yeonghwa Group was written in large, elegant letters at the entrance of what could only be described as a palace. A mansion so grand, it looked like something straight out of a historical drama, except it was undeniably modern, with sleek lines and a polished, timeless elegance. The towering structure loomed ahead, surrounded by manicured gardens and a tall gate, which made me feel like I had stepped into a completely different world.

I was stunned. This place was unlike anything I'd ever seen before, certainly not in my wildest dreams. I felt a cold shiver of uncertainty run down my spine. Why am I here?

The driver spoke, snapping me out of my trance. "We're here, Lady Han," he said, his tone respectful, yet distant.

Before I could react, the car door opened. I jumped slightly, not expecting someone else to assist me. I turned to see a woman in a black suit standing beside the door, her expression professional and calm. She nodded at me, signaling that I should step out.

I hesitated for a brief moment, trying to gather my thoughts. My head was still spinning with confusion, trying to make sense of what had just happened, of all the things Mihun said. But as soon as my feet hit the ground, the overwhelming scale of the mansion took my breath away once again. The whole estate was like something out of a dream.

Several women stood in a neat line at the entrance of the mansion, all of them dressed in similar black and white outfits, their faces showing no sign of emotion as they greeted me. Their presence felt almost... ceremonial. As I stepped out of the car, they all bowed their heads slightly in unison, acknowledging my arrival.

The air felt thick, heavy with expectations, and I couldn't help but feel like I was walking into something much bigger than I had ever imagined. What was I about to face?

With every step, my confusion deepened, but I followed the women into the grand entrance. The sight of the massive double doors opening before me, revealing the vast, ornate interior of the mansion, made my heart race even faster. The high ceilings, the marble floors, and the opulent decor, it was all so overwhelming, so foreign to me.

The man who had spoken to me at the hospital led me through a large garden at the back of the mansion. The air was fresh, and the scent of blooming flowers filled my senses, but I couldn't quite shake the unease in my chest. We walked for a moment until we arrived at a quaint coffee shop tucked away in the garden. It looked serene and peaceful, surrounded by well-kept greenery, almost like something from a dream.

There, standing near the plants, was a woman gently watering them.

Her presence was calming, and for some reason, her smile felt familiar. When she turned to face us, I couldn't help but notice how graceful she looked. She was younger than I expected. I had imagined someone older, more distant, perhaps in their 60s or even 70s, but this woman, she looked like she could have been around my mother's age, 48 at most.

The man with me spoke again, breaking the silence. "Her Highness, Lady Han is here."

The woman's smile widened at the mention of my name, and I felt a jolt of surprise, how did she know who I was? She looked at me, her expression soft and warm.

"Thank you, Mr. Jung," she said, and the man bowed slightly before leaving us alone. I stood there, a little confused, before she called me over.

"Come here, Hyorin."

My heart skipped a beat. "Hyorin?" I whispered to myself, stunned. How did she know my name? I had never met this woman in my life.

I instinctively bowed, noticing the way the others around her, servants or whatever they were, respected her with such deference. My movements were hesitant, but I walked toward her, still trying to process everything that had happened in the last few hours.

Before I could even say another word, she enveloped me in a warm hug. It caught me off guard, but her embrace felt strangely comforting.

"It must have been hard for you," she murmured, her voice gentle. Tears welled up in my eyes as I clung to her, not knowing how to react.

I pulled away slightly, wiping my eyes. "It might be rude to ask, but… what is this place? Who are you? What is going on?" My voice cracked, a mix of confusion and fear.

She smiled softly and guided me toward a nearby chair. "Take it easy. Have a seat."

I hesitated for only a moment before sitting down, trying to steady my breathing. The woman took a seat next to me and looked at me with understanding, as though she could sense the whirlwind of emotions inside me.

"Do you want anything to drink?" she asked, her voice calm and soothing.

"Just water," I managed to say, grateful for the simplicity of the request.

She nodded, rising from her chair and returning a moment later with a glass of water. As I took it from her, she continued, her voice now filled with a quiet nostalgia.

"This place used to be your mom's favorite place," she said, gazing at the surroundings. "We would come here after class, and we both learned how to bake and cook in this very spot."

I looked around, trying to process what she was saying. The place seemed so peaceful, so full of history. It almost felt like a second home, yet it was a place I had never even known existed in my mother's life.

"I didn't know my mom would live in a place like this," I said quietly, more to myself than to her.

The woman smiled again, her eyes distant for a moment. "Have you heard of royal families and nobles?" she asked, her eyes studying me with a quiet intensity.

I nodded, though my answer felt more mechanical than certain. "I know they exist, but I've never met one," I replied, trying to keep my composure.

A knowing smile spread across her face, and her eyes softened even more. "You probably have," she said, her voice almost playful. "But you just didn't know that person was a royal or a noble."

I stared at her, confusion etched across my features. "What do you mean?"

Her expression turned more serious as she continued. "The world has moved on. The era of kings and queens has become little more than a distant memory. For centuries, the royal families of Korea reigned supreme, respected as the ultimate symbols of power and grace. They were the true rulers of the land, guiding the destiny of the people with wisdom and benevolence.