A Strange New World

Seungho stood frozen at the entrance of the hospital, staring at the strange, shiny object in front of him. It was black, sleek, and unlike anything he had ever seen before. The tall man in a dark suit gestured toward it impatiently.

"Miss Minji, please get in. Your parents are waiting."

Seungho narrowed his eyes. Get in? Into this… thing? He took a cautious step back.

"What sort of magic is this?" His voice was hushed, but his muscles tensed as if ready to flee. He had seen enough ancient scrolls to know that sorcery always led to misfortune.

Mrs. Kang sighed. "Minji, it's a car. Stop being dramatic."

Car? Seungho had no idea what that meant, but he didn't trust it. It had no horses. No visible way of moving. Just an unnatural smoothness to its surface that made him deeply uncomfortable.

Jisoo groaned. "Oh my God, Noona, are you serious right now?"

"I refuse to enter this… this moving box!" Seungho declared.

The driver and Mrs. Kang exchanged looks. Jisoo looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him.

Mrs. Kang massaged her temple. "Minji, you hit your head, but please, for my sanity, stop acting like you were born in the 1300s."

Seungho crossed his arms. "That is exactly when I was born."

Jisoo made a choking sound. "Mum, she's broken."

Mrs. Kang exhaled deeply, then walked up to Seungho and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "Sweetie, you trust me, don't you?"

Seungho hesitated. Trust was a heavy word. He did not know this woman, and yet, her warmth reminded him of something he had never received from his real mother. It was enough to shake his resolve.

"… Fine," he muttered.

He stepped forward cautiously, watching as Jisoo opened the strange contraption's side. The interior looked even stranger soft leather seats, buttons, and strange lights blinking on a board. He slid inside stiffly, hands curled into fists, ready to fight whatever magic controlled this beast.

When the car rumbled to life and began to move, he nearly screamed.

The ride home was long and uncomfortable. Every time Seungho tried to relax, the car would turn, making his stomach churn. When they finally arrived, he stumbled out as fast as he could, breathing in deep gulps of fresh air.

Then he looked up.

The house no, the mansion was enormous. Larger than any noble's estate he had seen in his time. The stone walls stretched high, with windows that glowed softly against the evening sky.

The front door opened, and a tall man stepped out. His sharp suit, stiff posture, and cold expression reminded Seungho of the ministers in court calculating, distant, unreadable.

Mr. Kang.

"You're back," he said flatly, barely sparing a glance before turning to Mrs. Kang. "Do you still plan to travel next week?"

Mrs. Kang tensed. "This is not the time for that conversation."

Mr. Kang's eyes flickered to Seungho. "She looks fine to me."

Seungho had never met this man before, but something about him made him uneasy. There was no warmth in his tone, no concern. He spoke as if he was checking off a duty, not welcoming a daughter home.

"Go inside," Mr. Kang added before walking away.

Mrs. Kang's face fell. Jisoo sighed and muttered, "They've been like this for months."

Seungho frowned. So the parents were not on good terms. It reminded him of the cold, distant way his father treated him back in the palace.

But there was no time to dwell on that. As soon as he stepped inside, another realization hit him.

The house was filled with strange objects. Bright, moving images played on a flat surface attached to the wall. The floor was too smooth, the ceiling too high, and strange devices blinked in the corner. Was this a wizard's home?!

And then

A boy stepped into the hallway. He was younger than Seungho,

The boy took one look at Seungho and flinched.

Seungho raised a brow. "Are you afraid of me?"

The boy didn't answer. Instead, he quickly turned and disappeared into another room.

Seungho stared after him. Was the real Minji so terrifying?

Dinner was awkward. Seungho barely understood what to do with the silver sticks (forks, ), and the food was strange, filled with unfamiliar spices. He tried his best to act normal, but everything about him must have screamed not Minji because manji's brother kept staring at him like he was studying an alien.

By the time the meal was over, Seungho had one goal find someone who could help.

That's how he ended up in a dimly lit bedroom, sitting across from a girl with short hair and sharp eyes. She had introduced herself as Hana Minji's best friend.

The one from the hospital.

"Okay," Hana said, leaning forward. "Explain."

Seungho took a deep breath. "I am not Minji."

Hana blinked. "Come again?"

"I am Prince Seungho of Joseon. I was born in the year"

"Wait, wait, wait," Hana held up a hand. "You're telling me you're a prince? From actual Joseon?"

Seungho nodded.

Silence.

Then Hana suddenly sat up. "Okay, I have two theories. One, you hit your head so hard you think you're in a historical drama. Or two… you're actually telling the truth."

Seungho held his breath. "And which do you believe?"

Hana stared at him for a long moment. Then she slowly grinned.

"I believe you."

Seungho exhaled in relief. "Finally, someone who listens!"

Hana's grin widened. "Dude, this is so cool."

Seungho frowned. "This is not 'cool.' This is my worst nightmare."

Hana ignored him, her brain already spinning with excitement. "Okay, so first of all you need to blend in. That means acting like Minji."

Seungho scowled. "And what does that entail?"

"Well… for starters, you need to wear bras, do makeup, and style your hair."

She said showing her what they looked like.

Seungho froze. "I refuse."

Hana smirked. "You have to, unless you want people to notice."

Seungho's jaw clenched. He was a prince. A warrior. And now he had to wear….that thing called a bra?

Hana patted his shoulder. "Don't worry. I'll teach you everything you need to survive."

Seungho groaned. This was going to be hell.