“She Fell Through Time… Into the King’s Arms”

🌸 Episode 1 The Girl Who Fell Into History Written by Muqaddas Hana Noor hated rainy mornings. They always ruined her life. She ran through the narrow street, clutching her backpack tightly, her sneakers splashing through puddles. “Great,” she muttered under her breath. “First day of my new job, and I’m already late. Amazing start, Hana. Truly amazing.” Her phone buzzed. 6:58 AM. She was supposed to be at work by seven. She ran faster. Her breath came out in short gasps. Her hair stuck to her cheeks. Her hoodie felt heavy from the rain. Then it happened. Her foot slipped. She screamed. Not a cute scream. A dramatic, horror-movie level scream. The ground disappeared. The air rushed past her ears. Her stomach flipped. And the world went black. She expected pain. Concrete. Embarrassment. Instead— She landed on something soft. Grass. Cold, damp grass. Hana slowly opened one eye. Blue sky. White clouds. Tall trees swaying gently in the wind. She blinked. Once. Twice. Then she sat up abruptly. Her heart almost stopped. Around her stood men in armor. Actual armor. With swords. Big swords. Real swords. Her mouth opened. “…am I dead?” One guard shouted. “INTRUDER!” Another grabbed her arm. Hana shrieked. “WAIT WAIT WAIT— I’m allergic to violence!” They didn’t understand English. They dragged her across a massive courtyard paved with stone tiles and surrounded by towering palace walls. Hana cried. Not gracefully. Ugly crying. “I just wanted coffee this morning!” Servants stopped to stare. Royal soldiers whispered. She was pulled through enormous golden gates. Inside was the most breathtaking palace she had ever seen. Tall pillars. Flowing silk curtains. Lanterns glowing softly. Water fountains shaped like dragons. Everything shimmered. Her brain struggled to process it. “This is either heaven,” she whispered, “or Netflix with an unlimited budget.” They forced her down onto her knees. Her palms hit marble. Cold. Smooth. Someone approached. Slow footsteps. Confident. Heavy with authority. Hana lifted her eyes. And forgot how to breathe. He was tall. Broad shoulders. Dark hair tied neatly behind his head. Sharp jawline. Cold black eyes. He looked carved from stone. Power radiated from him. Everyone bowed deeply. Hana didn’t. Because she didn’t know she was supposed to. King Seojin. The young ruler of Joseon. His gaze landed on her strange clothes. Her hoodie. Her ripped jeans. Her sneakers. His eyes narrowed. “Who are you?” His voice was calm. Too calm. Dangerously calm. Hana swallowed. “I’m… Hana.” Her voice cracked. He stepped closer. “From which clan?” She blinked. “My… WiFi provider?” Silence. Prince Minho leaned toward him and whispered, “She appears mentally unstable.” Hana waved her hands frantically. “No! I’m not crazy! I was literally walking to work and then boom—historical trauma!” They stared. She pointed at the palace. At the guards. At his robe. “This isn’t normal!” King Seojin studied her trembling body. Her eyes were wide. Her fear was raw. Unfiltered. Real. “Explain yourself,” he ordered. Tears filled Hana’s eyes. “I don’t belong here. I don’t even know how I got here. Please don’t kill me.” A murmur spread across the court. Royal Lady Ara stepped forward. She was beautiful. Elegant. Dressed in crimson silk. Her eyes glowed with jealousy. “She could be a spy,” Ara said sweetly. “Foreigners often disguise themselves.” Hana gasped. “I can’t even disguise my bad handwriting!” Ara’s lips curved coldly. King Seojin raised his hand. “Take her to the interrogation chamber.” Hana screamed. “WAIT— I didn’t do anything!” Two guards stepped forward. Hana grabbed the edge of his robe without thinking. Everyone gasped. His eyes dropped to her hand. Her fingers trembled. She looked up at him desperately. “I’m scared.” Something shifted in his gaze. Just for a moment. Something human. He paused. Then slowly lifted his hand again. “Take her…” He hesitated. “…to the guest chamber.” Shock rippled through the palace. Royal Lady Ara stiffened. Guest chamber? That was royal privilege. Prince Minho’s eyebrows shot up. Interesting. Hana blinked. “Is that like jail with pillows?” Prince Minho laughed. “I like her already.” That night, Hana sat on a massive silk bed. She touched the golden curtains. The carved wooden furniture. Everything felt unreal. She sipped warm herbal tea brought by silent maids. Her phone had no signal. Her charger was useless. Her world was gone. She hugged her knees. “I time traveled,” she whispered. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She was alone. Lost. Terrified. Outside the paper doors, King Seojin stood quietly. Watching her shadow move. Her soft crying reached him. His chest tightened. He didn’t understand why. The next morning, Hana woke to birds chirping. Sunlight streamed through the curtains. For a moment, she thought she was dreaming. Then she saw the silk walls. Reality hit. She screamed into a pillow. Servants rushed in. They dressed her in traditional clothing. Pink hanbok. Soft ribbons. Her hair was braided gently. She stared at herself in the mirror. “Oh wow,” she whispered. “I look like I accidentally joined a historical drama.” In the garden, she bumped straight into Prince Minho. “Oof!” He caught her. “Careful, time traveler.” She blinked. “You speak English?” He grinned. “A little.” She sighed in relief. “Thank God.” Royal Lady Ara watched from afar. Her nails dug into her palms. The king was already paying attention to this strange girl. She didn’t like it. Not one bit. Later, Hana accidentally walked into the king’s study. He looked up from his scrolls. “You again.” She froze. “Sorry! Wrong door!” She tripped. He caught her wrist. Their eyes met. Her heartbeat thundered. His grip was warm. Too warm. He released her instantly. “I should punish you.” She swallowed. “But you won’t.” “Why?” “Because you’re not cruel. You just pretend.” His jaw tightened. Interesting girl. Very dangerous. Royal Lady Ara arrived with tea. She placed it beside the king. Her eyes scanned Hana. “You should know your place.” Hana smiled politely. “I’m still trying to find my century.” Ara scoffed. King Seojin hid a small smile. That night, Hana stood on the balcony staring at the moon. She whispered, “If anyone up there is listening… please send me home.” Behind her, the king watched silently. He didn’t know why… …but he already feared losing her. END EPISODE 1 Cliffhanger: Hana doesn’t realize yet— her arrival has already altered the future. And King Seojin’s heart.