♈︎ ♉︎ ♊︎ ♋︎ ♌︎ ♍︎ ♎︎ ♏︎ ♐︎ ♑︎ ♒︎ ♓︎

With a blade that can't be pulled out

from the depths of my heart

 ♈︎ ♉︎ ♊︎ ♋︎ ♌︎ ♍︎ ♎︎ ♏︎ ♐︎ ♑︎ ♒︎ ♓︎

At Jinyowon

(3rd pov)

When Cho-Yeon stood up that morning her face was etched with worry. She had four chambermaids that was assigned to cater to her every need. They were swift to help her with her morning routine.

Cho-yeon was the most popular, spoilt and prettiest girl in Daeho.
Her maids stood with respectful faces as one of them was busy getting her bath tub ready ,whilst the others three stood with the most intricately designed handbok dressers to pick from.

She had to pick her favourite. After her hot, fragrant bath filled with herbs and flowers, another maid stood ready at the dresser to make her look beautiful. The last one held a tray of breakfast treats.

Cho-Yeon felt troubled as she soaked in the hot tub.
Cho-yeon furrowed her brows as she recalls the strange recurring dreams of a different world, that she had for 3 months. In her dreamworld the people where dressed weirdly, they looked like they walked in undergarments* (pants). They even spoke with a different dialect.

Getting her mom to understand was a different issue. She was just dismissed and was told that her power as a priestess was emerging. She just snorted. Their parent went through a massive tragedy a few years ago. She lost her blind sister who was never found.

She was supposed to be the next influential leader of the Jin family. Their family lived in Jinyowon, a place that stored mysterious items like dangerous relics, and only their family had the magic to protect them. Cho-Yeon sighed deeply. She was forced into an arranged engagement with Jang-uk, a wealthy member of one of Daeho's dynasties.

Jang-uk was very handsome and known as a rebel because his powerful father locked up his magical energy at birth. No one in the region could unlock his energy gate out of respect for his father, an influential leader. Jang-uk's father abandoned him and never returned. Jang-uk was expelled from many schools and places of learning because he caused trouble.

Cho-Yeon liked him a lot but he didn't feel the same way. He refused the engagement, which embarrassed her family.When she sensed that he didn't harbor any romantic notions for her, the rejection hit her hard and left her hurt and devastated.

Jin Ho Kyung was her dear mom.

She was the prominent leader of Jinyowon in Daeho. Their Jin family was led by her powerful and strict mother. She was the one who curried the torch for their family line. They are in charge to control various powerful and dangerous relics. Her mom has been searching for her older sister, Jin Bu-yeon for almost ten years but with no success. It had a great toll on this family.

Then there was their not so 'honest' uncle, Jin Mu. He was appointed as the Gwanju of Cheonbugwan. It was an institution that was directly under the governance of the Royal family. The Gwanju must monitor as well made recordings of every constellations, they were there to upheld public order, even the ancestral rites exclusively to the royal family.

This institution also read fortunes of country. She knows her uncle as a very greedy man, craving for power. And as the Jinyowon illegitimate child as well as the half brother of her mom, Cho-Yeon knew what he was so after. He was apparently kicked out of Jinyowon.

But Jung Uk's father , Jung Gang had pity on him and took him under his wings as an assistant and a skillful student.

Her sneaky uncle is in charge to train and educate the entitled and grumpy Crown prince Go Won. But you know he just wants to control the prince.

She's the only one who can truly see through his fake smile. Cho-yeon doesn't like him, but she keeps her feelings to herself. She always feels like her uncle wants to push her mom out of her chief position in the family using any means possible.

Cho-yeon's maids finished serving her, and then she was called to meet her mom, Ho Kyung.

Her mom looked beautiful in her fancy outfit, a light caramel colour with rich embroidery. Her usually serious face seemed friendlier. Because of their family's special powers, most people respected them even more.In Daeho the four powerful families are the most respected and very famous. She found her mom in the kitchen area, founding out that she send two of their female bodyguards to go run an errand for her.

Cho-yeon smiled and bow deeply in front of her mother and greet her a good morning.

Her mom had a serene smile on her face," Oh Cho-Yeon, good morning dear. Take a seat please." She gestured to a seat next to her. She was a very elegant woman , her long talon like nails was painted in black and gold.
Taking her seat next to her mom, a wide smile grazed Cho-yeons' face as she nodded politely.

But something in her moms' severe face was a calculating expression, she inhaled deeply," Last night something very strange and interesting happened. Our mages were engaged in a fierce battle with a very much feared assassin who went around and beheaded mages. Mr Park Jin, from Songrim caught her. She was trying to do a very forbidden spell but unfortunately she died."

"Oh my word! Mother! "You gasped audible," Did she not finish the spell?"

"No, Seems like that, upon capturing, her soul wasn't found in a tavern girl. We think she might have shifted in another body and she could stealthily wander around the city." Your mom sadly state.

"That...that is terrible. The shifter might be anyone, mom. That is highly dangerous. What is the chief of Songrim going to do?" Cho-Yeon gasped with wide, fearful eyes.

She had heard about the forbidden alchemy spell, which was now illegal in Daeho. Switching bodies caused a lot of trouble 20 years ago. Soulshifters are causing big problems for mages right now. If they find one, they are severely punished.

"Indeed," her mom nodded. "He injured her fatally, but she escaped and switched bodies with someone unknown. We hope she doesn't run wild  and harm innocent people to steal their energy."

Cho-Yeons' mom smiled softly as she gaze at her," my child, I know you are experiencing a lot of pressure taking over your sister position in Jinyowon. "

Cho-Yeon inhaled deeply," Mom I understand, so don't fret. I am future Jin-Priestess and protector of Jinyowon. " She said with a slight nervous smile that didn't missed her moms eyes.

"Um, I'm going to the market today."

Her mom frowns, "Please be careful. Take your bodyguards with. We're not sure if the shadow assassin succeeded in switching her soul with someone else's"

Her mom doesn't looked convinced as her keen eyes scanned her youngest daughter, apparent cheerful demeanour. It was a few very tough few weeks on Cho-Yeon with the cancelation of her marriage plans. She really liked the Gang heir.

Cho-Yeon bites her lip, "I just want to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of spring... I'll be fine, Mom. Don't worry."

Her mother still looks worried, eyes scanning her daughter's young, cheerful face. The past few weeks have been tough on Cho-Yeon with the cancelled marriage plans. She knows her youngest daughter has feelings for Jang Gang's son, who left Daeho after his energy gate was closed.The whole Daeho has been talking more like gossiping about, Jang Gang's, wife's infidelity but when she died at childbirth , he left after her death, to go and help finding his friends oldest daughter.

Her mom looked a little worried,"Fine, just stay close to your bodyguards and please don't enter place where you know I don't approve. " her eyebrows were raised high, because she has knowledge of her daughters antics, visiting places other than the teashop.

Cho-Yeon just nod, and nervously tried to adjust her very elegant embroidered hanbok dress. She turn to her mom, bow politely in a greeting and quickly go back to her chambers to get prepared for her outing.

.......

Meanwhile...

In Chiwiseonru

Dan Goo and Namjoon strolled over the bridge that crossed the calm canal. The air was filled with the sounds and smells of life, surrounding them with lively sights and sounds. Colourful boats floated gently on the water, and the people on them chatted and laughed, enjoying the peaceful day.

He could smell the energy in the air. The sounds and smell was tantalizing his senses. His surroundings was so unreal that he had to pitch himself, making sure he was not dreaming.

They were constantly bowing as they see them passed.
Namjoons eyes were awestruck by the numerous vendors on the street sides, their stalls were filled with the tastiest snacks, hot street food and other small items, like jewelry or even pottery with incense.

Namjoon couldn't help but stop and admire stuff at one stall. A cute girl with a glowing face, smile widely in his eyes, and gave them, Dan Goo and him an interesting, very familiar sweet treat made of honey and oil.

Namjoon's eyes widened in surprise as he tasted it. "Wow, this is delicious," he said. His grandmother made treats like this during their festivals, and he remembered how much he loved them.

 The air smelled terrific, with meats cooking, dumplings steaming, and spices filling the air.

Namjoon wasn't used to being in this period. He wished he could remember everything – the smells, sounds, and sights – for when he returned. Maybe he could write a historical romance book based on this period, using his experiences so far.

Despite the dangers of magic and sorcery, this period has seemed like the best time of his life. He couldn't believe how peaceful it was, even with the threat of war looming. He hoped he would be gone by then.

Namjoon and Dan Goo went into the building. It looked like the happiest place, bright and colourful with its decor. The beautiful, authentic porcelain flower pots and teapots caught his attention. Those are thousands of Korean- won in his time. Beautiful, cheery girls in bright clothes talked happily with the high-class noblemen. Namjoon wished he had his camera to capture the scene. He sighed sadly. It was a happy place, and it seemed that mages loved visiting.

A woman named Joo-wol greeted them at the door with a bright smile. While she talked to Dan Goo, her eyes flicked over to Nam-Joon with curiosity.

"Hey Nam-Joon, good to see you. You don't usually come around here. Are you still spending all your time at the library?" She had smirked on her red lips, but her expression turned serious when she noticed the bandage on his head.She looked flabbergasted as she gasped in shock, wanting to know what happened to him, if he fell from a carriage or tripped on his own feet again. She was mercilessly teasing him.

With a shrug Namjoon could just let out a sigh. It was more out of sheer frustration. Seems the whole city knows about his unfortunate fall.

Now as ever he had to pretend that he still suffer from amnesia, to avoid the uncomfortable questions or the lack of knowledge about where he found himself in.

Namjoon just rolled his eyes when he saw the snickering face of Dan Goo, which really was irritating Namjoon to the core.

"Oh yeah, our Master Nam-joon decided to do it again, this time he tripped and fell over and rolled over a cliff. No he suffered from the' don't remember my name' disease. But Master Heo Yeom did say it might be a temporary thing. We all were summoned to fill in the blanks, so we need to help the poor man to remember things.But I'm glad that he atleast knows his name now."

She looked sympathetically at Namjoon and patted him on the shoulder. "If you want to know anything about everything, the doors of this place are always open to you. Come anytime and ask me anything.Excuse me, though, I have to train a gisaeng girl... Enjoy your time here."

Namjoon frowned and remembered his studies. According to Korean history, gisaengs or kiseangs were lower-class women trained to entertain upper-class men at parties or gatherings with alcohol. During this time, they served noblemen.Then Dan Goos' eyes saw a pretty gisaengs carrying a large platter with lobster.

Namjoon's eyes widened as he wondered how much it cost in this world.

Dan Goo grinned excitedly. "Ah, someone's back in town... Come on, Nam-Joon, our friend has been found."

Namjoon wondered who the friend was as he followed Dan Goo into the private room. Inside, sitting on a low table with his hands folded over his torso, was a very handsome guy with a severe expression, studying the dishes in front of him. His table was filled with small food dishes.

When he lifted his big dark eyes, Nam-Joon's breath caught. Wasn't this the junior curator of his time? Jang-something.

Dan Goo smirked, "So this is where you're hiding after getting kicked out, Jang-uk?"

Jang-uk snorted, "Those teachers didn't want to unlock my powers... Gosh!" He glanced at Nam-Joon behind Dan-Goo, admiring the room's interior.

Jang-uk raised his eyebrows and said, "Hey Nam-joon, what happened to you... Did you trip again?"

There were chuckles between the two guys as Namjoon rolled his eyes. He and Dan Goo sat down before Jang-Uk, who invited them to have lunch with him.

Jang-Uk was told that Nam-joon had lost his memory due to a concussion. Jang-uk shook his head, amused. Namjoon grinned. So this was one of the noblemen, and he was part of their friendship circle. At least he didn't end up as a poor peasant, a dirty farmer, or worse, a scoundrel or evil sorcerer. While he searched for a way back to his world, he would enjoy his noble status here. He just wished Arin was here because most of the people from the museum had different personalities during this period.

Jang-uk looked amusedly at Namjoon, who was enjoying the boiled crab, "So Nam-joon, did you forget your affection for the beautiful heiress of the Jinyowon lineage too?"

Dan Goo frowned at the smirking Jang-uk, "Nam-joon doesn't like her like that... You two broke her heart, and you, Jang-Uk, bailed out of the arranged marriage."

Namjoon looked puzzled at the two friends and asked, "Who is she? Is she pretty?"

So he had a girl here that he liked.

Jang-uk lifted his cup and smirked, "We all knew in our friendship circle that you had a thing for her. So we, as good friends, decided not to pursue her. I have no idea why they want to force me into an arranged marriage. She's cute but a bit too innocent and childish for me."

Namjoon frowned and bit his lip, looking curious, "So why did I reject her?"

Jang-uk laughed, "Ah, Nam-joonie, you didn't reject her. You two were friends when you were young. There's nothing romantic there. And when we were young adults, you went to study History at another academy. You two had a falling out, and you stayed away for months before coming to work as a mage in the history department of Songrim. You still haven't talked or reconciled with Cho-Yeon."

The two guys burst into laughter when they saw the shocked look on Namjoon's face.

Oh, my word! Did history repeat itself in reverse? The future repeats itself in the past. Did he have to deal with a woman scorned in this world, too?

Namjoon groaned and fell back onto the pillows behind him, only hearing some chuckles from his friends.

A/n : Namjoon met Jang-uk 

Thank you for checking out this historical fanfic.It's losely based on the highly popular kdrama- Alchemy of Souls but with an original  BTS twist and the spotlight on Cho-Yeon from the Jin family.  Please give it some love and kindness. The first five readers who show some love by commenting and voting will get a followback as a thank you.