As the moon cast its silvery glow upon the porch, a little child nestled against her mother's comforting embrace. The gentle lullaby of the night breeze cradled her into a peaceful slumber. With tender care, the mother reached for her treasured sewing box, its contents holding secrets passed down through generations. From within, she retrieved a thin golden cord, adorned with threads of red, white, blue, black, and yellow, each imbued with significance.
With nimble fingers, she wove them together, crafting a bracelet of intricate beauty - the Bracelet of Life and Fate, a symbol of hope and destiny. As she worked, she whispered prayers into the night, her words carrying the weight of a mother's love and dreams for her child's future.
"I pray that no misfortune will ever come into your life," she murmured, her voice soft against the stillness of the night. "I pray that you will grow into a good-hearted, wise woman. And lastly... I pray that you will find your true fate."
In the hushed space between reality and fiction, where dreams intertwine with destiny, the child drifted into a world of reverie. In her dreams, she wandered through landscapes both familiar and unknown, each thread of her bracelet weaving a tale of its own.
The red thread, like the flickering flames of a hearth, hinted at passion and fiery encounters. The white thread, reminiscent of the purity of a lotus blossom, spoke of innocence and grace. The blue thread, mirroring the tranquil skies mirrored in still waters, promised moments of serenity and reflection. And the black thread, shrouded in mystery like the depths of the night, foretold of secrets yet to be unveiled.
With the completion of the Bracelet of Life and Fate, the stage was set for the child's journey to unfold. Each thread, each color, held the promise of encounters that would shape her destiny. And thus, the intertwined fate of four individuals began, bound together by the delicate strands of a mother's love and a child's dreams.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the streets of Seoul, the Spindle Of Fate Hanbok Atelier buzzed with the energy of another busy day coming to a close.
"May fortune be with you!" A cheerful voice bid farewell to the last customer of the day, the sound of the gate bell signaling the end of business hours.
Diana, the proprietor of the atelier, smiled warmly as she exchanged pleasantries with the departing visitor. "Thank you for visiting us. Have a nice day!"
With a sigh of relief, Diana turned her attention to her small but dedicated team of employees who were diligently tidying up the workshop.
"Tough day, ma'am - isn't it?" Mina, one of Diana's assistants, remarked sympathetically as she entered the workshop, her shoulders weighed down by the day's demands.
Diana nodded, her expression reflecting a mixture of exhaustion and satisfaction. "Yes, it's been rough but worthwhile." Glancing at the clock, she realized that closing time was fast approaching. "It's already 7. Time to wrap things up."
"Thank you for your hard work, everyone," Diana announced, her voice carrying a note of gratitude. "Sort the clothes due for laundry and wrap up! Chop-chop!"
As the team dispersed to complete their tasks, Mina made a move to leave. "Yes, Diana. I'm heading out. See you tomorrow, everyone!"
"Have a great evening! And Mina!" Diana called after her, a hint of concern in her voice.
Mina turned back, her expression questioning. "Hmm?"
"You should head home too," Diana urged gently. "Don't linger around here. Go and make some friends, find a lover, or do anything that brings you joy."
"Mina, my dear friend," Diana chuckled, touched by Mina's loyalty. "You're more than just a journeyman to me. Alright, let's tidy up together."
With renewed energy, Diana and Mina set about clearing the workshop, their laughter filling the air as they worked side by side. After bidding farewell to Mina at the front gate, Diana paused, her heart skipping a beat as something fell at her feet with a soft thud.
"Oh... I knew this would happen someday," Diana murmured, bending down to pick up the broken traditional luckycatcher, a cherished memento from her mother.
Her mother had hung the luckycatcher on the front gate of the atelier, believing it would bring fortune to their business. Now, as Diana held the broken pieces in her hand, she couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia.
"She wanted me to take it when I opened my own atelier," Diana mused, tracing her fingers over the delicate straw. "But I never imagined it would hang here for so long."
Inspiration struck as Diana glanced at the colorful bracelet adorning her wrist, another precious gift from her mother.
"I could tie the luckycatcher with this," Diana realized, a smile playing at her lips as she carefully secured the broken pieces with the vibrant threads of her bracelet. "Perhaps this will double its luck."
Satisfied with her handiwork, Diana watched as the luckycatcher gleamed in the fading light, its new adornment breathing fresh life into the old relic. Little did Diana know, as she returned to her workshop, that this simple act of renewal would set into motion a chain of events that would change the course of her destiny forever.
In the dimly lit workshop, Diana fought against the weariness that threatened to overcome her. "Arrrgh... I know I have to finish the hemming by today, but I'm so worn out..." With a tired yawn, she rallied her spirits. "You can do this, girl... You can do this..."
As she resumed her sewing, a faint sound caught her attention. "Huh? What was that...?"
She paused, listening intently, but the workshop remained silent save for the steady hum of her sewing machine. Then, a sudden thud against the wooden gate startled her.
"Did I make a special night appointment for some VIP today...?" Diana muttered to herself, glancing at the clock. "It's already past 10 o'clock."
Confusion gnawed at her as she wracked her brain, trying to recall any such arrangement she might have forgotten. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't remember making any plans for tonight. So who could be knocking at her gate at this hour?
"Hello? Who's this...?" Diana called out, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Instead of a response, the banging on the gate grew louder, echoing through the stillness of the night.
"Argh, manners, people, manners!" Diana grumbled, frustration mounting as she marched towards the gate. Who would be so rude as to hammer on someone's gate like this?
But before she could confront the intruder, darkness enveloped her vision, swallowing her whole in its inky embrace. And then...
"Shh-" A hand covered Diana's lips, cutting off her startled exclamation.
"I'm sorry, my lady," a voice whispered softly in her ear.
Diana's heart raced with confusion and fear. "W-what the....?" she managed to murmur, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"I'm-" The voice trailed off, realizing the precariousness of their situation. "Ah, seems like the house is almost empty. Thank goodness," the voice mused.
Unexpectedly, the hand that had silenced her now withdrew, revealing a man standing before her. Despite the strangeness of the encounter, he greeted her with a warm smile.
"My lady, I am a traveler passing by," the man began, his voice smooth and gentle. "Would you be kind and give a cup of water to this poor traveler?"
"Huh...?" Diana blinked in confusion, taking in the sight of the man before her. His silvery robe, adorned with a long wine-colored waistcoat, shimmered in the dim light of the silk lantern. His dark brown eyes sparkled like stars beneath his traditional hat, and a sheen of sweat glistened on his brow.
"...What the heck?" Diana's mind raced, struggling to make sense of the surreal encounter. "Were they shooting some historical movie around here? If not, how can I explain all this?"
As she moved to peer outside, the man quickly stepped in her way, blocking her view.
"I feel terribly thirsty, my lady... Could you please show mercy and give me a cup of water...?" he implored, his tone pleading.
Diana hesitated, her instincts urging caution. "Are you sure that's all you need?" she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion.
"Yes, my lady... for now," the man replied cryptically, his smile never faltering.
"...Eh? For now?" Diana echoed, her curiosity piqued despite her apprehension. And despite the strange circumstances, she couldn't help but be drawn to the enigmatic charm of the mysterious traveler before her.
Diana's heart pounded in her chest as she grappled with the surreal turn of events. "Right... Wait here for a moment. I'll go get you a cup of water," she offered tentatively.
"Hmm... Am I- perhaps, asking too much if I ask to get inside with you for the water, my lady?" Sung inquired, his tone laced with an air of mystery.
Diana shook her head firmly. "Yes, you sure are," she replied, steeling herself against the charm that seemed to radiate from the enigmatic traveler.
Sung's expression remained unreadable as he contemplated her response. "Then..." he began, his voice trailing off suggestively.
Diana braced herself for whatever plea or persuasion might follow. But before Sung could utter another word, he spoke with an unexpected solemnity.
"I will ask for your severe punishment later on," Sung declared, his words hanging in the air like a weighty promise.
"Huh?" Diana exclaimed, taken aback by the sudden shift in tone.
"I beg you to not forget about today's rudeness I've made, my lady," Sung continued, his gaze unwavering.
Diana rolled her eyes, exasperated by the melodrama unfolding before her. "Jeez, really, you gotta stop with that 'lady'—WHOA!!!" Her protest was cut short as Sung swiftly scooped her up and stepped inside the atelier yard.
"Hurry inside!" Sung urged, his urgency palpable.
As Diana struggled to comprehend the situation, another figure burst through the front gate, sending her pulse racing even faster.
"That guy's smokin' hot, too... No, that's not helping, Diana!!" she chided herself internally, trying to quell the flutter of unease in her stomach.
"What are these people?! New type of burglary??? Put me down this instant!!!" Diana demanded, her voice tinged with a mixture of fear and indignation.
"Lady, please—let me explain," Sung implored, his eyes pleading for understanding amidst the chaos that had engulfed them.
Diana's frustration boiled over as she struggled against the man's grip. "And I told you to stop with that 'lady' thing!!! UGH!"
With a determined effort, she managed to break free from his grasp, her chest heaving with exertion.
"Let me go, you pervert—...Huh?" Diana's tirade faltered as she noticed the telltale stain spreading across the man's sleeve.
"Dear lady, that is some strength you've got there, haha..." Sung remarked casually, his smile belying the gravity of their situation.
Diana's shock deepened as the second man, who had been trailing behind Sung, collapsed to the ground, his back stained with a dark, ominous hue.
"That guy's back is all wet, too... Is that really... blood? Oh man, what should I do...?!" Panic bubbled within her, but she knew she needed to remain calm and assess the situation.
"What happened to you...?!" Diana demanded, her voice trembling with concern.
"I am sorry for everything. I thought to show you the wound first might frighten you or trouble you..." Sung's apology was sincere, his gaze meeting hers with an earnestness that softened her resolve.
"Oh gosh, being honest is much better than the 'O my lady, may I have some water' play, you know!!" Diana retorted, a mixture of exasperation and relief flooding through her.
"...Yes, I know now. I really should have been honest with you," Sung admitted, his expression contrite.
"And you've been smiling the whole time when you're this hurt...! What could cause such a wound...?! Mister, are you okay?" Diana's concern grew with each passing moment, her mind racing to comprehend the gravity of the situation.
"So... What should I do now? R-right, I should call 911, and—Huh...? Out... of the service area??" Diana's realization struck like a blow, her sense of urgency tempered by the grim reality of their predicament.
"What does that mean?" Sung's question hung in the air, a stark reminder of the precariousness of their situation and the uncertainty of what lay ahead.
Diana's heart sank as she reached for her phone, only to find it unresponsive. "My phone...! It's not working. What about yours? Right, you wouldn't have asked for my help if you had a phone. Hey, wait here for a moment," she instructed Sung, her mind racing with worry.
"My lady, wait-!" Sung called out, but Diana was already rushing towards the front gate.
As she swung open the gate, ready to confront whatever awaited her outside, a wave of disbelief washed over her, freezing her in place.
"...Huhh...?" Diana's voice trailed off as she struggled to comprehend the scene before her.
She closed the gate and reopened it slowly, hoping against hope that what she saw was merely a figment of her imagination. But the view outside remained unchanged—a vast expanse of unfamiliar fields and distant mountains, a stark contrast to the familiar sights of her beloved town, Bukchon.
"What the hell is happening?!!" Diana exclaimed, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and confusion.
"What is it?! What's wrong, my lady?!!" Sung's urgency was palpable, his eyes wide with concern.
"H-h-hold it right there! Don't move an inch!! ...Am I dreaming...? .....ooowwww....No... this definitely hurts... Then, what's going on...? Hey, uhm... If I may I ask... Where are we...?" Diana's words tumbled out in a rush, her mind struggling to grasp the reality of their situation.
"Pardon? I do not understand your question..." Sung replied, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"I mean... this place I see... Where are we now...?" Diana pressed, desperation creeping into her voice.
"Well, we're in Hanyang, as you're well aware of," Sung replied matter-of-factly.
"Oh, yeah, right—Hanyang...... G-gahh, what??? We're in... where?!" Diana's voice rose in disbelief.
"Hanyang, the capital city of Chosun. And to be more specific, your house is placed in Bukchon," Sung explained calmly.
"...Chosun? The old Korean dynastic kingdom...? Hanyang...?! The ancient name of Seoul?" Diana's mind reeled with the implications of Sung's words, her sense of reality unraveling before her eyes.
Instantly, Diana's legs gave way beneath her, and she crumpled to the ground. Before she could fully grasp what was happening, Sung was by her side, his strong arms catching her before she hit the hard earth.
"Are you okay, my lady?" Sung's voice cut through the haze of confusion, his concern evident in his eyes.
Diana met his gaze, her mind reeling with disbelief. His eyes, the warmth of his touch—everything felt too vivid, too real to be a dream.
"This... this can't be a dream," Diana murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
But as she took in the unfamiliar surroundings and the gravity of Sung's words sank in, a sense of overwhelming disbelief washed over her.
"But, oh come on—This can't be real-!!!!" Diana's voice rose in a desperate plea, her mind struggling to reconcile the impossible with the undeniable truth before her.
Only then did she realize the gravity of her situation—she had been inexplicably transported to Hanyang, thrust unwittingly into the tumultuous era of the Chosun dynasty, with no idea how or why it had happened.