The Queen’s Web

Minji sat stiffly in the grand hall, her legs tucked beneath her in a formal kneeling position that was already making her thighs burn. She had never been this quiet for this long in her entire life, but she had quickly realized that speaking too much in this world was dangerous.

The King sat on his raised throne, watching her with a mix of confusion and mild disinterest. He was nothing like the kings in dramas no dramatic speeches or piercing gazes. He mostly looked… tired.

The Queen Dowager, on the other hand, had a face carved from stone. Cold eyes, lips pressed into a tight line, posture so stiff Minji wondered if she ever relaxed. She was beautiful in a terrifying way, like a villainess straight out of a historical novel.

"I hear you've been acting strange," the King finally said. His voice was deep but lacked warmth. "You don't seem to remember anything?"

Minji kept her face blank, her heart pounding in her chest. She needed to respond carefully, but her brain, still adjusting to this whole 'being a prince' thing, refused to cooperate.

"Uh… Yes, pops."

The room fell into a suffocating silence.

Someone coughed. A servant's head snapped down so fast, Minji was sure he was regretting his existence.

The Queen's lips curled ever so slightly at the corners, amusement flickering in her eyes before disappearing just as quickly.

"Pops?" The King repeated, eyebrows lifting in disbelief.

Minji cleared her throat. "I mean… Yes, Your Majesty. My memory… It's, uh, gone. Just poof." She made a small explosion motion with her fingers.

Silence.

Maybe making sound effects in a royal court wasn't the best idea.

The Queen's first son, Jinyoung, was standing to the side, arms crossed, watching her like a hawk. His smirk deepened, as if enjoying her misery.

"The royal physician should examine him," the Queen Dowager finally said, her voice smooth as silk but sharp as a blade. "A sudden loss of memory is highly unusual. Perhaps something unnatural is at play."

Minji stiffened. What was that supposed to mean? Did she think she was possessed? Cursed? What if they tried some ancient exorcism on her?

The King nodded. "Very well. Seungho, you will be examined immediately."

Wait. Right now?!

Minji barely had time to react before a servant was already ushering her away. As she stood, Jinyoung stepped closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear.

"I don't know what game you're playing, but you're a terrible actor," he murmured, his smirk still firmly in place. "Don't think I won't find out what you're hiding."

Minji tilted her head, pretending to think deeply. Then she grinned. "Oh no. I'm so scared."

Jinyoung's smirk twitched, just slightly. His eyes darkened.

Oh, this was going to be fun.

The Royal Physician's Chamber

Minji sat awkwardly on the mat while an elderly man poked and prodded at her wrists, checking her pulse with the kind of focus that made her nervous. He had been at it for five whole minutes.

"You are in perfect health, Your Highness," he finally announced. "No physical signs of trauma."

Minji almost sighed in relief. At least he wasn't suggesting some weird historical treatment like bloodletting.

The Queen Dowager, who had followed to observe, didn't seem pleased with the answer. "Then why is he acting so differently?"

Minji thought fast. "Maybe it's a temporary thing? Like… brain shock? Sometimes people forget things when they hit their heads."

The physician nodded thoughtfully. "A sudden shock to the mind can indeed cause temporary amnesia."

Minji's lips twitched. "See? Brain shock."

The Queen Dowager did not look convinced, but she sighed. "Fine. Continue to monitor him. If his behavior does not return to normal soon, we will need… other methods."

Other methods? Nope. That sounded terrifying.

Minji needed to figure things out fast.

Back to the Carriage Ride

Minji was deep in thought when she was led outside to the royal carriage. The wooden structure was fancier than anything she had ever been in before, covered in intricate carvings, lined with plush cushions.

She paused in front of it.

Then frowned.

Then took a step back.

A servant bowed. "Your Highness, is something wrong?"

"Yeah," Minji muttered, crossing her arms. "Where are the wheels?"

The servant blinked. "…Your Highness?"

Minji turned to look at him, dead serious. "Shouldn't this carriage have tyres or something,you fools should be innovative."

The man looked genuinely concerned for her. "It is pulled by horses, Your Highness."

Minji blinked. "…Oh. Right." She forced out a laugh, stepping inside quickly to avoid further embarrassment.

As soon as she sat, she felt the carriage shift slightly, indicating they had started moving.

Across from her sat a young servant girl, hands neatly folded on her lap, trying (and failing) not to stare at Minji like she was a three-headed dragon.

Minji sighed. "What? Do I have something on my face?"

The girl hesitated before whispering, "You're… different today, Your Highness."

Minji gave her a playful wink. "Different in a cool way, right?"

The servant girl quickly looked down, pressing her lips together like she was trying not to laugh.

Hah. At least someone found her funny in this world.

As soon as Minji stepped out of the carriage at the palace courtyard, she was greeted by none other than Jinyoung.

"Back from your check-up?" he drawled. "I'm surprised they didn't declare you a lost cause."

Minji smirked. "I'm surprised you have this much free time. Shouldn't you be busy… I don't know, polishing your mother's shoes?"

A nearby servant stifled a giggle. Jinyoung's jaw clenched.

"Watch your mouth, Seungho," he warned.

Minji leaned in slightly, her grin widening. "Or what? You'll tattle to mommy?"

Jinyoung glared daggers at her before storming off, his fists clenched.

As Minji watched him leave, she exhaled, feeling something shift inside her.

This world was dangerous, but if she was going to be stuck here, she might as well start playing by her own rules.

The old Seungho might have been bullied.

But Minji?

She wasn't going down without a fight.

As Minji stepped into her chambers, she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the bronze mirror.

For just a split second just a flicker she swore she saw her own face.

Back in the modern world, staring right at her.