Stuck In My Drama Fantasy

Yeongcheon – A Place Non–existent

The sight of this man made Ginny's eyes and throat burn. A sharp, suffocating pressure lodged itself in her chest, and before she knew it, she let out a screech—so loud, so raw, that it startled even herself. The force of it sent her into a violent coughing fit. She clutched at her throat, struggling to regain her breath.

No one spoke.

No one even moved.

The eerie silence wrapped around the room like a thick fog, choking the very air.

Ginny's heart pounded against her ribs, her breaths shallow as she darted her gaze around. 'Why wasn't anyone saying anything? Why were they just staring at me like that?'

A terrifying thought struck her. Her hands flew to her chest, then her waist. 'Was she naked? Exposed?'

She exhaled in relief. No, her clothes were still on. So why was the atmosphere so suffocating?

"Leave us."

The words came quietly, but they carried the weight of a command that could not be disobeyed.

Ginny's stomach dropped.

'No, don't leave us!' she wanted to shout, but her voice caught in her throated.

Before she could protest, the courtesans and attendants hurried out, their heads bowed as they shut the doors behind them with a soft thud.

And then, there was silence.

Heavy. Unsettling. Suffocating.

Seung Woo's gaze settled on her, dark and unreadable.

Ginny swallowed hard.

Seconds stretched unbearably.

Then, finally, she spoke, forcing herself to push through the suffocating tension.

"Look," she started, taking a deep breath. "I need to tell you something important."

She placed a hand on her chest, her voice dripping with sincerity.

"I'm not So-hee. I promise."

Seung Woo didn't blink. He just stared, his expression blank.

"I mean it," she insisted. "I don't know how I ended up here, but my name is Ginny, alright? Genevieve Sanchez. As much as I would love to stick around, I'm not planning on dying anytime soon."

She bit her lip, choosing her words carefully.

"I have no idea what So-hee did to you to make you hate her so much, but I swear on my life—I'm not her. So can you let me go? Please?"

Ginny even pouted for extra effect, widening her eyes in what she hoped was an innocent, pleading look.

Still, he said nothing.

'Well, say something,' she thought bitterly.

Instead of answering, he let out a quiet sigh and rubbed his temple, as if dealing with her mere presence was exhausting.

"You think I'm a fool?" he finally said.

Ginny tensed.

"I called for you because I heard someone from Seorim had come here," Seung Woo continued. "I thought she looked like someone I knew. I didn't expect it to be you."

His gaze darkened.

"Do you have no shame at all?"

Ginny raised a brow. "Shame? Why?"

"You killed all my men and escaped to this place."

She blinked, processing his words.

"Why do you hate So-hee so much?" she asked, ignoring his accusation.

Silence.

"It's not like I was expecting you to answer me," she muttered.

"You're correct," he admitted at last. "I hate you."

Ginny swallowed.

"But right now," he continued, his voice low, reluctant, "I need you."

That caught her off guard.

Ginny narrowed her eyes. 'What is he playing at now? Is this some kind of trap?'

"You might not believe me—"

"Hell no, I don't," she cut him off. "You tried to murder me. Twice! And you clearly hate my existence. So pardon me if I don't believe a single word that comes out of your mouth."

She folded her arms, sitting cross-legged on the floor like a stubborn child.

Neither of them spoke.

The room remained heavy with tension.

Finally, Ginny exhaled and decided to ask what had been bugging her since she got there.

"Answer me something," she said.

Seung Woo looked at her.

"Who am I?" she asked. "Who was I before I woke up? And how do we know each other? Because, you see, I don't."

For the first time, Seung Woo hesitated.

His lips parted as if he was reluctant to speak, but then, as if compelled by some unseen force, he answered:

"Our parents arranged our marriage before we were even born."

Ginny's breath hitched.

"And on the night of our wedding…" Seung Woo's voice turned cold. "My mother was poisoned."

Ginny froze.

"By you," he finished.

She gasped.

"Scandalous!" she blurted out, unable to help herself.

Seung Woo shifted tiredly, as if her reaction was the last thing he wanted to deal with.

Ginny's mind reeled. 'So-hee poisoned her own mother-in-law? On her wedding night?'

"But why?" she muttered to herself. "Why would So-hee kill her soon-to-be mother-in-law?"

Seung Woo gave her a look that clearly said 'are you insane?'

Ginny bit her lower lip.

"On behalf of So-hee, I apologize," she said suddenly. "I know it can't bring back your mother, but I'm really sorry."

Seung Woo's jaw clenched.

"It's not forgivable," he said flatly. "And don't mistake my words for vulnerability."

Ginny nodded.

'Well, it's justified,' she thought. 'I did kill your mom. Well, technically, I didn't, but you think I did.'

She sighed.

"What do you need me for?" she asked, forcing herself to smile. "I'll do my best to be of help."

It was a risky move—putting herself at his mercy like that.

But something told her that whatever Seung Woo wanted, it was big.

And she had no choice but to play along.

Seung Woo stood, his expression unreadable as he stepped toward her. Ginny tensed, resisting the urge to back away.

"You will help me because you have no other choice," he said, his tone colder than before. "You're trapped here, whether you like it or not."

Ginny swallowed hard. 'Great. Just great. First, I wake up in a historical setting I don't remember, and now I'm stuck in some revenge plot where I'm the villainess. What's next? Execution at dawn?'

Seung Woo must have seen the hesitation in her eyes because his lips curled into something that almost resembled amusement. Almost.

"You don't trust me," he stated.

"Obviously."

"Good," he murmured. "Trust is irrelevant. We both have something to gain. You will do as I say, and in return, I will ensure your survival."

Ginny scoffed. 'Oh, how generous of you.'

"And if I refuse?" she challenged.

He stepped closer. "Then I'll kill you myself and I'll ensure it's a slow, painful one."