Stuck In My Drama Fantasy

The Worst Birthday Surprise Ever

What's the worst thing that can happen on your birthday?

Meet your ex in an elevator while looking like a squirrel that smoked weed, tumbled through a washing machine, and barely survived the spin cycle?

Yeah, I thought the same. But apparently, the universe loves surprises.

It started like any other day—well, if you ignore the fact that I was on the verge of making the biggest breakthrough of my career.

"Heeeyy, Ginny!"

Jacob, the barista at my favorite coffee shop, waved at me from behind the counter as I settled into a seat with my best friend, Alia.

"He definitely has a crush on you," Alia teased, stirring her iced coffee with a knowing smirk.

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, well, screw Jacob and his 401(k). Today's about something bigger than romance."

"Wow, harsh," she snorted. "You don't even know if he has a 401(k)."

'What is a 401(k)?'

I ignored her. Today was supposed to be the day everything changed for me—not because of love, not because of family drama, and certainly not because of some guy. No, today was about my career.

I was finally getting somewhere with this case.

"Anyway," I said, brushing Jacob out of my mind. "We need to talk to Mrs. Brenda. If anyone can help, it's her."

Alia gave me a look.

"What?" I asked, already knowing I wouldn't like the answer.

"You know we have to go all the way to Chicago for that," she said in a sing-song voice. "And guess who happens to live in Chicago?"

I groaned. "No. Alia, no. We are not bringing up Micheal."

"Steamy Micheal," she corrected with a giggle.

"Shut up. Screw you and your perfect life."

She only laughed harder.

The Last Person I Wanted to See

After our little coffee break, I was making my way back to my apartment when I bumped into someone.

Literally.

I staggered back, ready to curse the idiot who walked straight into me, but the words died in my throat.

My heart dropped.

"Micheal?"

His blue eyes widened. "Ginny?"

No. This wasn't happening. It had to be in my head.

"Hear me out we can still make this work, babe." Micheal said, stepping closer. "Trust me. I—I love you."

I stared at him, my mind spinning. No. No, no, no. This wasn't how today was supposed to go.

"This is a dream, right?" I asked out loud, more to myself than to him.

Micheal tilted his head, his perfect blond hair catching the light. His stupidly beautiful face, his annoyingly sculpted jawline—ugh, why did he still look like a freaking model?

I hated him.

I wanted to slap him.

So, obviously, I leaned in to kiss him instead.

Just as our lips were about to touch, my eyes snapped open—

And I saw a completely different man.

Wait… Who the Hell Are You?!

I gasped and stumbled backward.

The man in front of me was not Micheal.

He was… someone else. Someone taller, broader, and ridiculously more handsome. His dark hair fell just above his piercing eyes, his sharp jawline making him look like he belonged on the cover of a fantasy novel.

His face held no emotion. He stared at me as though I were some strange creature he couldn't quite figure out.

"WHAT?! IN—THE—K-DRAMA?!"

I scrambled away, nearly tripping over the long, flowing fabric of my—wait.

What the hell was I wearing?!

I grabbed the material. Silk. Layers of silk.

The colors were rich, the embroidery so intricate I could feel the delicate stitching under my fingers.

I looked around. The dimly lit room, the intricate wooden carvings on the walls, the sheer curtains framing a massive window—it was straight out of a historical K-drama.

No, seriously. What the hell was going on?!

Before I could scream again, a woman in her late forties rushed toward me.

"Lady So Hee!" she gasped. "You must not push His Highness away!"

I blinked at her. "His what now?"

She gave me a horrified look. "He is your husband!"

I froze.

My gaze darted back to the mysterious man.

Husband?!

No. No, no, no.

"I—I think you're mistaken," I said, holding up my hands. "I'm not anyone's wife!"

The woman gasped like I had committed treason. "My Queen, you must be confused! You are still unwell."

My brain short-circuited.

"My what?"

"My Queen," she repeated, bowing slightly.

Okay. Okay. Let's recap.

1. I was definitely not in my apartment.

2. I was wearing a freaking hanbok.

3. A strange, ridiculously attractive man was being called my husband.

4. I was being called a queen.

This was a dream.

Had to be.

I squeezed my eyes shut and took a deep breath.

"Okay, Ginny, just wake up now," I muttered under my breath.

I opened my eyes.

Still here.

Crap.

I swallowed hard. "What year is this?" I asked cautiously.

The woman hesitated. "1538."

"WHAT?!"

'Its freaking 1538!'

Panic Mode Activated

I shot up to my feet, my legs wobbling under me as I turned in a frantic circle. "No. Nope. No way. This is wrong."

The woman reached out, worried. "Your Majesty, you must not move so suddenly! You are still recovering!"

"Recovering from what?!" I demanded.

She hesitated before sighing. "You nearly died from poison, my Queen. You have been unconscious for days."

I felt my stomach drop. Poison? That wasn't right. I wasn't even near food—hell, I had been in the middle of a city just moments ago.

Or… had I?

I clutched my head. The last thing I remembered was Micheal. The almost-kiss. The world spinning. And then—this.

My so-called husband exhaled sharply. "I do not have time for this," he muttered under his breath before turning and walking out of the room.

Excuse me?!

I gaped after him. "Wow, okay. Rude."

The woman gasped. "My Queen! You must not speak of His Highness in such a tone!"

I ignored her. My mind was still racing.

This wasn't some elaborate prank. This wasn't a dream.

I had somehow—somehow—ended up in a historical Korean setting.

As a queen.

And if I didn't figure out what was going on soon…

I might be stuck here forever.