Eun-bi helped Lady Seo arrange the food on the dining table. Dinner was ready, and yet she still couldn't believe she was in Joseon.
She had only ever learned about Joseon from her history classes—she liked history, but not like this. Now she had to actually live it: the traditions, the customs, the gossip… all of it felt strange and overwhelming.
Still, she was grateful she wasn't rescued by anyone from the royal palace. If she had ended up there and met the king himself, the only way back home would probably be death.
"You're spacing out again, dear?" Lady Seo's gentle voice snapped her back to reality.
"Ah—no, ma'am. I just… still can't believe this life I'm living," Eun-bi muttered, her mind swirling with thoughts about being trapped inside her own novel.
Lady Seo only smiled. She understood how strange it must be for this lost girl.
The dinner table was finally set. Mr. Im and Lady Seo sat down, just as the door opened and a cheerful young man entered the room.
"Father! Mother! I'm home!" he called out brightly.
"You're back, dear. Come, have dinner. You must be exhausted from working all day for Master Kang," Lady Seo said warmly.
"Eh?" Jo-an froze when he noticed the unfamiliar girl sitting at the table.
"She's Han Eun-bi," Mr. Im explained. "Your mother saved her when she almost drowned earlier."
Jo-an gave Eun-bi a polite smile. Eun-bi smiled back awkwardly.
That night became Eun-bi's first evening with the Im family. Lady Seo retold what had happened by the river, and Jo-an listened intently, his expression softening.
"I know how that feels," he said quietly, his voice kind enough to ease Eun-bi's worries.
"But… we can't keep her a secret for long," Jo-an continued, turning serious. "People will start asking questions. She can't stay hidden forever."
"I think Jo-an's right," Lady Seo agreed. "Everyone will be curious about who she is. And Eun-bi can't just stay inside all day—she'll get bored."
Mr. Im crossed his arms, thinking for a moment. Then he nodded. "Alright. To keep her safe, if anyone asks who she is, let's say she's our distant niece from the Han family. No one will question it. One of my relatives married into the Han clan long ago."
Eun-bi felt her chest tighten. They were treating her like family—even though she was a complete stranger.
"Thank you, Mr. Im, Lady Seo, young master Jo-an… Thank you for letting me stay here. I promise, once I regain my memories, I'll leave and stop being a burden," Eun-bi said, bowing deeply.
"Hey, don't be so formal," Jo-an chuckled. "Can I… call you noona? Older sister?"
Eun-bi laughed and nodded. The warmth of this family melted her heart. She had never known what it was like to eat dinner with a father and mother—her parents divorced when she was young, and she'd lived alone ever since her grandmother passed away.
But here, with the Im family, she felt that warmth again—something she thought she'd lost forever.
Dinner continued in peace. They'd found a solution for Eun-bi's situation, but she still hoped it was all just a dream. Maybe when she woke up tomorrow, she'd be back in her tiny apartment in Seoul.
"Tuan Im, Lady Seo… please let me help at the market, or give me some work to do. I don't want to just stay here doing nothing. Nothing in this world is free," Eun-bi said earnestly.
Mr. Im stroked his chin. "Hmm… let's see. The Kang family is looking for a female worker to manage their storage—the spice warehouse and the fabric storeroom. Someone to keep watch and take notes."
Eun-bi's eyes lit up. This was her chance to explore and maybe gather clues about this world.
"I can do that! Back at my—uh… I mean, I once worked as a supervisor at a bookstore," she said quickly, catching herself.
Mr. Im smiled. "Very well. I'll speak to Master Kang tomorrow."
"Are you sure, dear?" Lady Seo asked worriedly. "You just nearly drowned this morning."
"Yes, Lady Seo. You work hard too, and so does everyone else. I can't just sit here and do nothing. At least let me help lighten your load."
The family exchanged smiles. They could see the sincerity in her eyes. In their hearts, they already saw Eun-bi as one of them—even if they had no idea where she truly came from.
Whatever I've started… I have to finish it myself, Eun-bi thought as she looked out the window, her reflection faint in the candlelight.If this really is my story, then I'll be the one to write how it ends.