Diana's voice trembled with disbelief as she spoke, her words barely above a whisper. "I don't understand... I can't believe my eyes."
As she turned to gaze upon her beloved Hanbok atelier, her heart sank at the sight before her. The workshop was gone, replaced by an unfamiliar house that stood in its place. And behind the front gate stood Sung, his expression filled with surprise as he approached her.
"Lady Diana...? Why are you still...?" Sung began, his voice trailing off as he took in the scene before him.
Young, too, seemed bewildered by the sudden change, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Is there something wrong...?" he asked, his tone tinged with concern.
Even Taesoo, usually so composed, looked at Diana with a mixture of suspicion and worry. "Why- is it still-..." she murmured, her voice barely audible over the pounding of her own heart.
As her vision began to blur and her head spun with confusion, Diana struggled to comprehend the reality of her surroundings. "This can't be happening..." she whispered, her words barely coherent as she fought to remain upright.
Before she could collapse, strong arms reached out to catch her, steadying her trembling form. "Why am I still--in Chosun?" she managed to choke out, her voice filled with desperation and fear.
Sung's voice cut through the haze of confusion, his orders snapping the others into action. "Patrol around the house for now," he commanded, his tone firm and authoritative.
"Yes, your highness," Young replied, his voice tinged with urgency as he moved to carry out Sung's orders.
"And I will go, too," Taesoo added, his expression determined as he joined Young in their task.
As familiar voices surrounded her and hurried footsteps echoed in her ears, Diana slowly opened her eyes, her senses slowly returning to her. The first thing she felt was a gentle touch, a reassuring presence that anchored her in the midst of the chaos.
Sung's voice cut through the tension that hung heavy in the air, his concern evident as he spoke. "Lady Diana, are you okay?"
Diana nodded slowly, her voice barely above a whisper as she replied, "Oh... Yes, I think so." She felt his warmth as he gently stroked her forehead, a comforting gesture that helped to ease her shock.
"I was worried. Terribly worried," Sung confessed, his hand patting her shoulder in an attempt to soothe her.
Diana managed a weak smile in response. "Well, we should start worrying together now, shouldn't we?" she remarked, grateful for his presence and support.
The fear of not making it back to Seoul and the relief of being reunited with the three men collided inside her head, leaving her feeling disoriented and overwhelmed.
"This is a little awkward, after chasing the three of you so coldly... haha..." Diana chuckled nervously, rubbing her neck in discomfort as she glanced around at the three men.
Taesoo spoke up, his expression thoughtful. "Actually... His royal highness has told us some things about you while you were down..."
Diana's eyes widened in surprise. "Things about me...? Oh, you don't mean...?" she trailed off, her heart pounding in her chest as she realized the implications of Sung's revelations.
Sung nodded, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "It's still hard to believe, to tell the truth... I mean... You- are from the future...?" Young added, his voice filled with wonder.
Taesoo nodded in agreement. "I was shocked, but now I understand..." He cast a glance around the empty atelier, taking in the chaos that surrounded them. "There were many strange things about you and this house. I've visited Bukchon several times during the day. But when you weren't here- ...this house was empty like a haunted house. So... I didn't let my guard down until now."
Diana let out a sigh of relief, her tension melting away as she realized that she no longer had to hide her true identity. "You're right. We've got no more secrets between us now, do we? Phew, I'm actually quite relieved! I mean- I don't have to hide anything now!"
"And I'm very glad, too," Young added, a smile spreading across his face as he looked at Diana with newfound understanding and acceptance.
Diana looked up at Sung's face in surprise, her eyes widening as he spoke.
"I thought I'd never be seeing you ever again, my lady... I know I shouldn't be, when you're in such trouble, but- ...I'm so happy. Indescribably happy," Sung confessed, his embarrassment evident in his voice. Despite the surprised looks from Taesoo and Young, Sung only had eyes for her.
Diana felt her cheeks flush with warmth at his words, a mixture of happiness and awkwardness flooding her senses. She cleared her throat, trying to push aside her own emotions.
"Anyhow... I should get this mess cleared up first... Uhm, if you have time... Could you help me out with cleaning this place? And maybe share our thoughts to find the way for me to go back to my time...?" Diana suggested, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
All three men nodded without hesitation, their willingness to help easing some of Diana's worries.
"Hmm..." Diana mumbled to herself, pulling out her phone to check the service area. "Still off the service area..." She sighed, realizing that she was indeed still in Chosun. She pushed aside her anxieties, focusing on the task at hand.
"Let's clean up together," she suggested, leading the way into the atelier.
As they began to tidy up, Sung stood between Diana and the door, blocking her path.
"Hey... what is it?" Diana questioned, trying to step around him.
Sung mirrored her movements, still blocking her way. "What do you mean?"
Diana frowned, puzzled by his behavior. "Come on, what are you doing?!"
Sung chuckled softly. "I guess you read my mind. How did you know where I was moving?"
Diana rolled her eyes playfully. "This thing's heavier than it looks. Step out and let me go."
Sung laughed, stepping aside to let her pass. "Ah, is that so?" he replied with a mischievous grin.
Sung lifted his brows and leaned forward slightly, his features captivating Diana. His smooth skin framed by perfectly arched brows, coolly slit eyes, and a high nose, along with a sharp jawline and cherry-red lips, drew her attention.
"Well, looking like that garbage isn't so heavy after all. Since you've got time to admire my face," Sung teased with a playful smile as he took the items from her arms.
Diana's cheeks flushed in embarrassment at his remark. "W-wh-what?!" she stammered, flustered by his playful demeanor.
Sung continued to smile mischievously, leaning closer to her. "You may touch it if you want," he offered, prompting Diana's heart to race.
"W-what are you talking about...?!" Diana replied, her voice wavering slightly as she tried to regain her composure.
As the sun began to rise and Diana neared the end of cleaning the atelier, frustration bubbled within her.
"Arrrgh... I should've kicked their bum a few times, too...!" she muttered to herself, venting her anger about the damage done to the place.
Amidst her frustration, Diana noticed the luckycatcher lying on the ground. She sighed in relief upon finding it relatively unharmed, except for some worn threads.
"That's a relief. Only the thread is worn off," she remarked, quickly tying the loose bracelet back onto the luckycatcher. As she did so, Young approached her.
"Is there anything I can help with?" he offered.
"Oh, yes—thank you. I'm trying to put this back on the gate door. Can you put it up as high as you can?" Diana requested.
"Of course," Young replied, reaching his hand high to carefully place the luckycatcher over the door.
Suddenly, a vision of Mina walking through the gate doors flashed before Diana's eyes, only to disappear in an instant.
"I'm not the only one who felt that, right?!" Diana exclaimed, her surprise mirrored by the expressions of the others.
"What was that?!" Taesoo questioned, his confusion evident as they all searched for an explanation.
"Well, I only put this luckycatcher up on the door..." Diana began, her voice trailing off as she tried to make sense of the strange phenomenon.
"Try that again," Sung suggested, his curiosity piqued.
Young stepped forward, offering to handle the luckycatcher. "Wait, I'll do it, my lady," he said, taking the luckycatcher off the wooden door with care and putting it back on.
As the luckycatcher was replaced, Mina's voice interrupted the moment. "Huh? Where did she go?" she wondered aloud.
Diana felt a jolt of confusion as the Hanbok atelier in Seoul briefly appeared before her eyes.
"What... What is this?!" Diana exclaimed, her mind racing with questions.
Taesoo turned to Diana, his expression serious. "Lady Diana, tell us about this luckycatcher. You need to tell us everything."
"It was left by my late mother..." Diana began, her voice tinged with emotion.
"You got it from your late mother...?" Taesoo inquired, seeking further clarification.
"Yes, it was hung up on the gate doors ever since she ran every atelier in Asia," Diana explained, her memories flooding back.
"Hmm... That doesn't seem good enough, though," Taesoo remarked, his brow furrowing in thought.
Sung, who had been examining the luckycatcher, interjected with his own question. "Lady Diana, may I ask what this is? It looks more than just some string to tie things up."
"Oh, that's the bracelet of life and fate! Also given by my mother," Diana revealed, offering insight into the significance of the object.
"The two gifts from your late mother... It looks meaningful in my eyes, too, but not enough to be a key clue to my time travel," Taesoo mused, considering the implications.
"But the bracelet looks loose... Was it always like this?" Young observed, joining the conversation from behind.
"No... I think those bastards who tried to kill us did this," Diana replied, her frustration evident.
"Then, how about we tie it tightly again and put it back over the gate?" Young suggested, offering a solution.
"Hmm, but it's worn out from the ruckus. I don't think I can tie this one up. Maybe I need a new one..." Diana pondered aloud.
"Does it take time to make another?" Sung inquired, his interest growing.
"Nope, it won't take much. Let's give it a go! Wait up for a bit," Diana said determinedly, hurrying to gather the necessary materials from the workshop.
"Red, blue, black, white—and the yellow thread, too. The bracelet of life and fate is yet again whole," she declared, ready to restore the luckycatcher to its former glory.
As the group stepped outside, anticipation hung in the air like a thick fog. Diana's heart raced with excitement and trepidation, hoping that this simple act of hanging the luckycatcher would transport them to modern-day Seoul. But as she gazed out into the world beyond the gate, her hopes were dashed.
"The light...! It's on!!" Diana exclaimed, her voice filled with a mixture of disbelief and disappointment.
Taesoo and Young exchanged puzzled glances, while Sung's brow furrowed in confusion. "Is that it?" Taesoo questioned, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Young squinted at the distant cityscape. "Is that the Hanyang city in the future...?"
Sung turned to Diana with a reassuring smile. "Lady Diana, let's step outside together."
Heart pounding, Diana nodded eagerly. "Yes!!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with excitement.
As they held hands and crossed the threshold, Diana's breath caught in her throat. But her elation quickly turned to confusion when she realized that the view outside remained unchanged.
"Huh...?" she murmured, her disappointment palpable.
Taesoo's voice broke the silence, his tone resigned. "...The lantern is off again."
Diana's heart sank as disappointment washed over her like a tidal wave. "If this isn't it... Then what is the problem?!" she lamented, her voice tinged with frustration.
As her hopes dwindled, Taesoo's voice cut through the silence like a beacon of hope. "Let's not give up so easily... huh?" he suggested, his tone hopeful.
Diana turned to him, her eyes searching his face for answers. "What is it?" she asked, her voice heavy with uncertainty.
Taesoo's gaze fell to the old bracelet in his hand, and a glimmer of realization sparked in his eyes. "This yellow strand... It's not an ordinary thread," he observed, his voice tinged with excitement.
Diana's interest was piqued. "If it isn't, what is it then?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued.
Taesoo's expression turned solemn as he turned to Sung, passing the bracelet to him for inspection. "Your highness, do you recognize it?" he asked, his voice tinged with urgency.
Sung's brows furrowed in concentration as he examined the bracelet. "Huh, this is..." he murmured, his voice trailing off as realization dawned on him.
"Just as I thought. The yellow thread must be made of 'that'," Taesoo concluded, his tone grave.
Diana's eyes widened with astonishment. "What is 'that'?" she pressed, her voice barely above a whisper.
Taesoo's lips curled into a grim smile. "This... looks like the 'golden thread'- used only in the royal palace," he revealed, his words hanging heavy in the air.
Diana's eyes widened with disbelief. "The golden thread...? You mean, it's made with real gold???" she repeated, her voice filled with incredulity.
Young's expression darkened at the mention of the golden thread. "Why should it be the golden thread...?" he questioned, his tone edged with concern.
Diana furrowed her brow in confusion. "Huh...? What's the matter? Is it hard to get one here...?" she inquired, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Taesoo's voice was solemn as he explained, "His majesty, the King of this country has forbidden extravagance, including making golden threads."
Sung nodded in agreement. "Only the royal tailors know how to make the golden threads... And it's made under strict supervision," he added, his tone serious.
Young's frustration was palpable. "Even his highness Sung himself cannot lay his hands on the golden thread," he lamented, his voice tinged with disappointment.
Diana's mind raced as she processed the information. "But, if I'm supposed to use the golden thread for making my bracelet of life and fate to return to my time... Then what should I do?" she wondered aloud, her voice filled with urgency.
Sung sighed heavily, his expression troubled. "You need to make a contribution to the royal palace and earn it as your 'royal gift,'" he explained, his tone grave.
Diana's heart sank at the realization. "The royal gift?" she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.
The implications of what Sung had said hit her like a ton of bricks. The golden thread. The palace. The royal gift. It all led to one conclusion.
Diana's eyes widened with determination. "That means... I need to... get inside the palace," she declared, her voice resolute.
Sung nodded solemnly. "To be precise, get inside to make a contribution to the royal palace," he affirmed, his tone serious.