Nari woke up with a start, her heart pounding furiously. The unfamiliarity of her surroundings didn't register immediately as her anger boiled over. She clenched her fists and began to curse vehemently.
"That daughter of a whore," she spat out, her voice dripping with venom.
"She has no self-respect whatsoever."
"What an evil girl."
"Why push me down the stairs of all places? Coward!"
She continued her tirade, her words a torrent of frustration and rage. Then, a calm voice interrupted her.
"Is it Soo-ah this time?"
Unconsciously, Nari replied, "Yes, it's her."
She turned towards the source of the voice, and her breath caught in her throat. Hovering in midair was a lady, seated in a manner that was both elegant and surreal. One leg was crossed over the other, and her head rested languidly on her raised knee.
"Long Time No See, body snatcher," the lady greeted with a hint of amusement.
"Ji-hoon, is that really you?" Nari gasped. Ji-hoon, now a ghost, floated serenely before her.
Reality crashed down on Nari, who was now inhabiting Ji-hoon's body. She scrambled to her feet and looked around frantically for a mirror. When she finally found one, her reflection confirmed her fears. She saw Ji-hoon's bright brown hair, tousled and unkempt, and her green eyes, still heavy with sleep. But it was Nari's soul staring back. Her head began to ache.
"I'm so, so sorry. I didn't do anything," she began to apologize, her voice trembling.
"Looking at myself from up here is weird," Ji-hoon remarked, her tone contemplative.
"I tried to get back in, but I was repelled. I tried to leave the room, but there seems to be a boundary. I can't go too far from my body, but I can touch people if I want to."
Nari's eyes widened in shock at her explanation. "When did you have time to do all that?"
"When I woke up and saw that I was floating in midair," Ji-hoon replied with a hint of sarcasm.
Nari, who had once possessed Ji-hoon's body, was now back in it after a mysterious reversal. She had woken up in her original body without knowing why, but the reason she was back now was because Soo-ah had pushed her down the stairs.
"For us to be in a lavish room like this, it means you have arrived at the Kwon sect," Nari deduced.
Ji-hoon nodded. Nari turned to the window and gazed out at the breathtaking view. The early morning sky was a canvas of pastel colors, with the sun rising majestically between two distant mountains. It was a sight that momentarily eased her troubled mind.
As she took in the scenery, she began to pay closer attention to the room. The elegance of the setting was undeniable. The room was adorned with intricate woodwork, silk tapestries, and delicate porcelain. It was a perfect blend of opulence and tradition, reflecting the grandeur of the Kwon Sect.
"You receive the best princess treatment when you come here," Nari commented, a touch of envy in her voice.
The room's décor spoke volumes about the esteem in which Ji-hoon was held. Richly embroidered cushions adorned the low, lacquered tables. The walls were decorated with elaborate paintings depicting scenes of nature and court life. The bed, a magnificent structure draped with silk, stood as the centerpiece of the room.
"I wish I was born in your era, Ji-hoon. A thousand years from now is the worst life any of us can live," Nari lamented, a deep sadness in her voice.
"It's not like here we are living in roses either," Ji-hoon replied, her tone equally somber.
"I guess so," Nari conceded. She sat down, deep in thought, pondering ways to return Ji-hoon's body back to its rightful owner.
"Fly towards me as fast as you can," she instructed Ji-hoon, an idea forming in her mind.
Ji-hoon hesitated but then agreed. She gathered herself and propelled towards Nari with all her might. At the same time, Nari focused intensely on her desire to leave Ji-hoon's body.
In an instant, Nari found herself floating as a spirit, while Ji-hoon was back in her body. They exchanged looks of disbelief and joy, realizing their success.
"This calls for a celebration," Ji-hoon declared with a triumphant smile. She instructed her maid to bring tea and snacks. As they indulged, Ji-hoon recounted the recent events that had transpired.
" Assasins, you have to be joking, I'm sure it's Mira. She gives me the chills", Na-ri commented as she explained the recent assassination attempt.
" We have yet to draw out the culprit but I'm glad we are on the same page about the suspect", Ji-hoon commented. Hearing that, they both laughed.
Hours slipped by in their revelry, but their joy was short-lived. Nari began to feel an alarming sensation. Her vision blurred, and she felt a choking pressure around her throat. Her limbs started to fade, and panic set in.
"Help, Ji-hoon!" she cried, her voice barely audible.
Ji-hoon, thinking quickly, instructed Nari to repeat the process they had used before. Nari focused on regaining Ji-hoon's body, and to their relief, it worked. Nari was once again in Ji-hoon's body, while Ji-hoon returned to her spectral form.
"Are you kidding me?" Ji-hoon yelled in frustration. "I was up all night staring at the reason I wasn't in my own body, but you haven't been out for four hours, and you're disappearing!"
Ji-hoon pulled at her hair and flew around the room in agitation. "Maybe it's because I'm not from this era, or I don't exist yet," Nari suggested, trying to make sense of the situation.
"Fuck existence and era, my ass!" Ji-hoon cursed, her voice echoing with exasperation.
"That's unbefitting of Her Highness. Who taught you that, Jin-woo?" Nari asked, giggling despite the tension.
"Oh, please don't bring up that husband of yours. He is definitely the worst. Your life is just a mess, Nari," Ji-hoon replied, still fuming.
Their laughter faded as they realized the gravity of their predicament. They needed to find a way to restore balance, to ensure that Nari could remain in Ji-hoon's body without the threat of disappearing.
" I had my life and master's life to worry about, now I have to add you to the list", Ji-hoon heavily sighed.