Stuck In My Drama Fantasy

Captured and Confused

I had asked myself so many questions since waking up in this strange world.

Where am I? How did I get here? What year is it?

But I forgot to ask the most important one—

Who was So-Hee?

And what kind of life did she live?

I was about to find out. And it was not going to be pleasant.

The man in front of me yanked me forward, his grip like iron shackles around my wrist. I stumbled, trying to regain my footing, but he didn't slow down. My feet barely kept up with his pace as he dragged me through the dimly lit corridor.

"Do you even know who I am?" I snapped, trying to sound intimidating. "I'm a private investigator! Get that? I have skills—deadly ones! I could kill you in a heartbeat, and when I get out of here, I will make you pay."

No response.

Okay, time to up the stakes.

"Not all devils wear horns, you know! I should have known the moment I saw you—handsome men are to be feared and avoided!"

Still nothing.

Then, without warning, he tossed me—literally tossed me—into a prison cell.

I yelped as I hit the cold stone floor, my hands scraping against the rough surface. I scrambled up just in time to see him locking the iron bars with a loud clank.

"What am I? An animal?!" I shouted, shaking the bars in frustration.

Silence.

"Wait!" I cried out, desperation creeping into my voice. "Please, I need answers. Whatever history we might have had, can't we put that aside? Just one favor—one last favor!"

I forced an innocent smile, trying my best to look harmless. And it worked—kind of. He hesitated, his sharp eyes studying me with mild curiosity.

"What did I do?" I asked, my voice softening. "Aren't we getting married? I mean, I was told I'm going to be queen, and you're the king—right?"

He leaned in, his presence suffocating, and his voice came out dangerously low.

"Did all the bleeding make you lose your mind?" he sneered. "We aren't getting married. You're not a queen, and I am not your king." His gaze darkened. "You are nothing—a worthless creature that happened to crawl under my foot. And when I got bored, I crushed you to bits."

I swallowed.

"Okay," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "No need for all the gore."

I glanced away, my mind racing for a way out.

"But that lady told me—"

"Does she look like she's sane?" he scoffed. "I thought mad people could recognize their own kind."

Wow. He wasn't just rude—he was insufferable.

I glared at him, but my expression must have looked ridiculous because he merely smirked before turning away.

Without another word, he disappeared down the corridor.

I let out a slow, shaky breath and sank to the ground, pressing my forehead against my knees. My heart pounded in my chest. My eyes burned, but I refused to cry.

No need for that.

I had trained for six years. I had worked for powerful people, presidents—okay, maybe not actual presidents, but close enough.

I am Genevieve.

I will not break.

"I'll escape this place, I promise you!" I shouted after him.

No response.

My stomach growled loudly.

A chuckle echoed from the corner of the cell.

"It's not so bad here," a woman spoke, her voice light and oddly amused.

I nearly jumped. I had been too lost in thought to notice her.

She sat in the shadows, her tattered clothes barely covering her thin frame. Her hair was matted, her hands caked in dirt. And yet, despite her pitiful state, she smiled like we were on some grand adventure.

"We get shelter, food, and clean clothes," she continued. "What more could one ask for?"

I stared at her. "Are you being serious right now?"

She grinned. "So, what did you do to end up here?"

I let out a dry laugh. "I'd love to know that myself."

"Being on Seung-Woo's bad side doesn't do anyone any good," she mused, shaking her head. "He's the son of Lee Yung-Jung."

I frowned. "I'm guessing that's the man I saw earlier?"

"Well, his adopted son," she corrected.

Fantastic. I wasn't just in trouble—I was in trouble with royalty.

Whatever So-Hee had done, it was serious.

And I had no idea how I was going to get out of it.

The woman leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. "You must have done something terrible."

I scoffed. "Oh yeah? What gave it away? The iron bars or the guy with the murder eyes?"

She smirked. "Both."

I groaned, rubbing my forehead. "I don't even know what I did. I literally just got here."

The woman tilted her head. "Got here? From where?"

I clamped my mouth shut.

Right. No one would believe my ridiculous story. Best to keep my mouth shut and play along.

The woman stood up, stretching. "Well, whatever it is, I hope you figure it out before it's too late."

I frowned. "Too late?"

She chuckled darkly. "They don't keep prisoners in this palace for long, you know."

A chill ran down my spine.

Oh no.

I needed to escape.

Fast.

I turned back to the cell door, eyeing the rusty lock. Could I break it? Probably not.

My cellmate must have noticed my sudden burst of energy because she laughed. "Oh, you're one of those, huh?"

"One of what?"

"The hopeful ones." She grinned, her teeth slightly crooked but her expression amused. "Everyone tries to escape in their first few days. Then they realize there's no way out."

"Well, I don't intend to sit here and rot," I shot back.

"Of course not," she said. "That's what we all say."

I ignored her. I wasn't going to sit around and let fate decide my future.

But before I could form a solid plan, heavy footsteps echoed down the hall.

I stiffened.

The woman beside me tensed, her playful demeanor fading. "Looks like your trial is sooner than I expected."

I swallowed. "Trial?"

The cell door creaked open, and two guards stepped inside.

"You," one of them barked, pointing at me.

My heart pounded.

"Come with us."

I didn't move.

"Now," he ordered.

My cellmate exhaled softly. "Told you."

My fingers curled into fists as I forced myself to stand.

I had no idea where they were taking me.

But if there was even one chance to change my fate…

I had to take it.