CHAPTER 1 The chef who fell through time
Joon-ho had always believed the kitchen was the center of the universe. maybe, his universe. inside the famous blossom kitchen, hw was known as that "fire of Seoul" - a chef whose dishes were as bold as his bad decisions
And today,he had made the worst decision of all.
joon-ho was supposed to present a new menu to the institute board,but instead he found himself being chased down a hallway by security guards after a political guest accused him of tampering with a dish.
the garnish was supposed to be symbolic! the minister shouted.
How was I supposed to know symbolism had allergies? joon-ho shouted back as he ran.
His heart hammered. His legs burned. His reputation was probably already in ashes.
He burst out the back door and climbed onto the edge of the institute roof tip garden, hoping to find an escape path.
Rain had just started to fall. The ground shimmered below him like a sheet of glass.
joon-ho muttered," I just need one minute to think -"
The wet tiles betrayed him. His foot slipped, and the world tilted sharply.
He fell.
joon-ho gasped and shot upright -but he wasn't lying on a rooftop garden or a hospital bed.
He was on an embroidered silk mattress surrounded by wooden lattice screens painted with Carnes and cherry blossoms.
Candle light danced on polished floors.
The air smelled of burning wood and medicinal herbs.
And women in traditional hanbok stood around him, whispering urgently, "your Highness, please rest!"
"fetch the royal physician!"
The crown princess has awoken!"
joon-ho blinked. Your Highness?
Crown princess?
He looked down.
he froze.
Long hair spilled over his shoulders like a river.
A thin delicate hand -not his hand rested on his lap.
His body felt lighter smaller.. unfamiliar.
What-what is going on?" he croaked.
The maids gasped.
" perhaps her fall into the pond damaged her memory!"
" Bring warm tea! Bring blankets! Bring -something!
joon-ho grapped one maid by the sleeves.whoa whoa whoa - why do I look like this? why am I wearing silk?why do you keep calling me "Her Highness?"!
the maid cried.
" she's definitely lost her senses.
joon-ho collapsed back onto the pillows. His mind raced.
Did I die?
Am I dreaming? Did I hit the ground? why am I in the body of some royal woman?
This couldn't be real. Right?
Hours passed.
People came and went. Doctors, maids, advisors even guards. All bowed to him. All treated him like fragile glass.
Through hurried whispers, joon-ho pieces together the truth: He was in the joseon -era kingdom of haryeon, Inside the moon lit palace,and apparently.
.. He was crown princess haryeon, daughter of a noble family and newly married to the crown prince minsu.
joon-ho nearly fainted again.
"I'm a princess" he murmered."me?
The guy who eats take out at 2am ?
That night, Two maids tried to feed him soup. he grabbed the bowl," I can feed myself. I am -techni Cally -an adult."
But holding the spoon in new unfamiliar hands made him spill half of the broth on his robes.
one maid whispered," Her Highness seems unstable to eat... properly.
"I heard that*he growled.
They bowed so fast. their hairpins jingled.
Just when joon-ho thought the day couldn't get stranger,the doors slid open, And the crown prince entered.
He was tall, Sharp-eyed. and far too handsome for someone who lived in the past.
His gaze held quiet suspicion.
"I heard you regained consciousness" he said calmly. How are you feeling? joon-ho stared at him
His face.His picture. His unreadable expression.
" The guy looks like he's judging my soul" joon-ho whispered under breath .
The prince frowned..."what?"
"Nothing!" joon-ho straightened.
"I may,
I feel...uh ... Very princess -y"
The prince lifted an eyebrow,
princess -y"?
joon-ho wanted the floor to swallow him.
but there was something strange in the Prince's eyes. like, he wasn't merely a gentle royal.
There was calculations. strategy. secrets. and for a moment. joon-ho wondered:
Did the crown prince have anything to do with the real princess fall into the palace pond?
Am I in danger?