A few days after the "BTS concert at the palace garden" incident...
Areum started to feel that something was strange.
She noticed that Prince Wang Joon often 'disappeared' from the palace without any explanation.
Sometimes, she saw him whispering to the guards or maids — as if he was hiding something.
> "Could it be... he suspects I'm a real alien?" Areum panicked inside.
She made a decision:
Today's mission — Spy on Prince Wang Joon!
"Mission Failed Hilariously"
Areum tried to secretly follow Wang Joon.
She wore a huge scarf covering her head until she looked like... a moving tree.
Unfortunately...
> "Hey! Who's the running tree in the palace?!" the guards shouted loudly.
Areum immediately ran while shouting, "I'm not a tree! I'm Areum!!!"
Everyone in the garden froze — then burst into laughter.
From a distance, Wang Joon could only facepalm.
> "She's... truly one of a kind."
"The Secret Gift"
That afternoon, Areum was summoned to the palace garden.
She walked there while grumbling, "They're probably gonna scold me for causing a ruckus."
But when she arrived... she was stunned.
The usually empty garden was now beautifully decorated with:
Silk fabric hanging lanterns
Flower petals scattered over the grass
A small wooden table with a tray of food, Goryeo-style but with a modern twist
And right in the middle — stood Wang Joon with a sweet smile.
"This... is for you," he said softly.
Areum froze, her mouth slightly open.
> "Omo... is this giving first date vibes?!"
"Eating Together (A Cute Scene)"
Areum sat at the table, feeling shy.
Wang Joon gently poured tea into her cup.
"Why are you doing all this?" Areum asked, almost whispering.
Wang Joon slightly bowed his head and smiled.
> "Because... I want to see you happy."
Areum almost choked on thin air. Her face turned as red as a roasted shrimp.
Trying to stop the atmosphere from getting too romantic, Areum quickly grabbed a snack and...
> CHOMP!
Her expression instantly changed — it was super spicy!
"HUARGHHH!" Areum screamed while fanning her mouth.
Turns out, the snack was filled with ground red chili — a 'special' Goryeo treat.
Wang Joon laughed out loud.
Areum pounded the table while complaining, "This is sabotage!!! Are you trying to kill me?!"
But deep inside, she felt a warmth.
Not just from the spice...
But from Wang Joon's sincere and genuine attention.
"A Confused Areum"
That night, lying in bed, Areum held the small cup Wang Joon had given her.
It was a cute ceramic cup, decorated with a simple flower painting.
> "If I return to the future... I'll lose all of this." "But if I stay... what about my family in the future?"
Areum rolled around on her bed, hugging her pillow.
"Why... why do I feel like I don't want to go back?"
She covered her face with the pillow and let out a playful groan.
Outside, Sora and Hyeon could only hear the sound of "AARRGHHH" and smiled knowingly.
> "Our young lady has started falling in love," Hyeon whispered.
Sora nodded in agreement, covering her mouth to stifle her laughter.
To Be Continued...