The bride from another world

Chapter Five: The End of the Novel and the Beginning of the Story

Several weeks passed since Duke Ryeon Kang's downfall, and the empire gradually returned to its calm. The palace corridors were once again filled with life, and Princesses Ara, Nara, and Yura resumed their usual cheerfulness, while Emperor Han Ji-woo busied himself with restoring order to the kingdom after the conspiracy's demise. As for Ruby and me, we no longer felt like strangers; the palace had become our new home, and everyone knew our playful and laughter-filled nature.
As the days passed, Seong-min and Min-jae changed. They no longer viewed us merely as a political marriage imposed by prophecy, but began to appreciate our courage and determination to protect the empire. Although they retained their calm and reserved personalities, their demeanor became more respectful and attentive, a change even the emperor and empress noticed without comment.
One morning, the imperial family gathered in the grand garden to celebrate the end of the crisis. The three princesses ran among the trees, tables were laden with food, and laughter echoed throughout the palace for the first time in years. Everyone felt that a new chapter had begun, that the prophecy had not been a curse as some had believed, but rather the reason for saving the empire and reuniting its members.
That night, Ruby and I stood on the balcony overlooking the capital, gazing at the lights that shimmered everywhere. I remembered our life in Korea, school, and the assignment that had triggered everything that had happened. Then I looked at the book that had reappeared on the table in our room. Its last page was filled with new words, saying that the end of the novel wasn't the end of the journey, but the beginning of another story—one that we would write ourselves this time.
I closed the book quietly, its golden luster fading forever, as the sun of a new day rose over the empire, heralding the end of the tale of the two heirs' wives, and the beginning of a new life in which no one would look at us as strangers, but as part of the imperial family that we had helped to protect.

Chapter Four: The Night of the Attack

The calm didn't last long. After Duke Ryeon Kang's plot was exposed, the palace began preparing for any new developments. Emperor Han Ji-woo tightened security throughout the palace, while the crown princes were tasked with leading cavalry units to protect the capital. Ruby and I felt less out of place within the palace; everyone began to see us as part of the imperial family, even though Seung-min and Min-jae maintained their aloof personalities.
One night, the palace torches suddenly went out, plunging the place into darkness. Masked men then crept over the walls, attempting to reach the emperor's quarters. Alarm bells blared, knights rushed to their positions, and Kang Tae-woo took command of the palace defense. Chaos reigned, but the three princesses managed to reach safety with the empress's help.
The attack was not merely an assassination attempt; it was an opportunity for Duke Ryeon Kang to seize the throne. The knights clashed with the attackers in the palace courtyards, and the two crown princes managed to repel the majority of them, while the emperor himself led the final battle inside the main gate. Meanwhile, Chancellor Choi Doo-hwan discovered secret documents proving that the duke was the mastermind behind everything that had happened since their appearance.
Before sunrise, the battle ended in a victory for the imperial family. Duke Ryeon Kang and his henchmen were arrested, and peace returned to the palace. With the danger over, everyone realized that the prophecy hadn't foretold chaos, but rather the arrival of two individuals who would help save the empire from the greatest conspiracy it had faced in years. For the first time, Seung-min and Min-jae displayed genuine respect for us, signaling the beginning of a new chapter in our relationship before the final act.

Chapter Three: The First Conspiracy

The first days inside the palace passed slowly, but the tranquility was deceptive. Ruby and I were learning palace etiquette from Song Myeon, while Crown Princes Han Seung Min and Han Min Jae maintained their cool demeanor, avoiding conversation except when absolutely necessary. However, Princesses Ara, Nara, and Yora spent most of their time with us, transforming the once quiet palace corridors into a place filled with laughter, running, and amusing situations. Even the servants, who had feared the silence that had enveloped the palace for years, began to smile.
On the other hand, Duke Ryun Kang was not pleased with our appearance. He believed that the prophecy would thwart his plan to seize power, so he secretly met with a number of corrupt nobles and ordered them to create chaos within the palace and blame us so that the emperor would lose faith in us.
A few days later, one of the important imperial seals disappeared from the assembly room, and rumors quickly spread that the two strange girls were the last people seen near the pavilion. Some nobles began demanding our expulsion, while Chancellor Choi Doo-hwan quietly investigated the matter without offering his opinion. Emperor Han Ji-woo issued no judgment but ordered the palace gates closed until the real seal was found.
I couldn't stand idly by, so Ruby and I decided to investigate before things got worse. With the help of the three princesses who knew the secret passages within the palace, we discovered an old tunnel leading to an abandoned storeroom beneath the palace. There, we found one of Duke Ryeon Kang's men trying to escape with the imperial seal. The cavalry commander, Kang Tae-woo, managed to capture him after a short chase, and the man confessed that the theft was part of a plot to discredit us and sow chaos within the imperial family.
When the truth returned to the palace, the emperor realized that his adversaries had indeed begun to move, while the two crown princes looked at us for the first time with different interest, not because a rapprochement had developed between us, but because we had proven that we were not the cause of the chaos, but had helped to uncover the first clue leading to the great conspiracy that was approaching the empire.

Chapter Two: The Beginning of a New Life

Silence fell over the hall after the head butler's announcement, while all eyes remained fixed on Ruby and me. Emperor Han Ji-woo didn't seem surprised; he watched us calmly, as if he had known we would be appearing that day. Empress Kim Soyeon appeared more agreeable, but she masked her concern with a quiet smile. In contrast, Crown Prince Han Seung-min and Crown Prince Han Min-jae stood expressionless, showing no sign of welcome, clearly displeased with the proceedings.
The emperor ordered us to be moved to separate wings within the palace so we could rest, then summoned the senior nobles to a closed meeting. During the meeting, he announced that the ancient prophecy had been fulfilled, and that the two girls who had appeared from another world were now officially the wives of the crown princes, according to the imperial covenant signed hundreds of years ago. Seong-min and Min-jae did not voice any objection to the emperor, but the coldness on their faces was enough to reveal their disapproval of this political marriage.
Meanwhile, the head of the housekeepers, Song Miyeon, was showing us around the palace and its rules, while Dr. Yoo Harin checked on us after our mysterious transfer. Minutes later, the three twin princesses, Ara, Nara, and Yura, burst into the room and began bombarding us with questions. They burst into laughter when they saw me trying to hide a strawberry lollipop in my sleeve, while Ruby struggled to stifle her giggles. It wasn't long before the princesses were clinging to us as if they'd known us for years.
In the evening, a formal banquet was held to introduce us to the Imperial family and high-ranking nobles. Everyone sat with the quiet dignity befitting the palace, while Ruby and I struggled to imitate royal table manners so as not to attract attention. Our attempts weren't always successful, however, for whenever one of us made a mistake, the other would glare at her and nearly burst out laughing, much to the surprise of those present. The Empress, meanwhile, stifled a small smile, while the Crown Princes remained impassive, as if nothing had happened.
At the end of the night, after everyone had left, the emperor stood before his palace window gazing at the moon, while his advisor, Choi Doo-hwan, informed him of the arrival of a secret message from Duke Ryeon Kang, the man who had long sought to seize the throne. It was then that the emperor realized that our appearance was not merely the beginning of a political marriage, but the start of a conflict that could threaten his rule.

Chapter One: The Novel That Swallowed Us

The school day ended with our teacher assigning a lengthy homework assignment. Ruby and I returned to our small house after buying ramen and some snacks. We initially ignored the assignment, playing video games and laughing as usual, but we eventually sat down to work on it. As Ruby searched for her notebook in her bag, a bright golden light emanated from it. She pulled out a strange book titled "The Crown Princes' Wives," and as soon as she opened the first page, the words began to move, and a vortex of light drew us inside. When I opened my eyes, Ruby and I found ourselves in a magnificent imperial hall, where Emperor Han Ji-woo, Empress Kim Soyeon, Crown Princes Han Seung-min and Han Min-jae, and the twin princesses Ara, Nara, and Yora were looking at us in astonishment. Then, the chief steward announced to everyone that the ancient prophecy had been fulfilled, and that we were the two wives destined to change the fate of the empire.

Chapter One: The Novel That Swallowed Us

The school day dragged on as usual, and before the final bell rang, the teacher stood before the board and announced a lengthy assignment due the following morning. The class erupted in grumbling. Ruby and I left school laughing and making fun of the amount of homework, and it wasn't long before we'd forgotten all about it. I had my usual strawberry lollipop in my mouth, while Ruby hilariously imitated the teacher, attracting the attention of passersby. We bought two bowls of ramen and some snacks before heading back to the small house we shared. We didn't have any family to return to, so we were used to being self-reliant and working after school to support ourselves. Despite the exhaustion, we never lost our ability to laugh and make a mess.
We entered the house, carelessly tossed our bags aside, and instead of starting our homework, we sat down to play video games and compete to win. This quickly devolved into silly challenges and endless laughter until mid-evening. When we finally remembered our homework, we sat down at the table, trying to concentrate, but every minute ended with a new joke or absurd comment that made us laugh again.
As Ruby rummaged through her bag for her notebook, we stopped abruptly when a bright golden light emanated from it. At first, we thought it was a reflection, but the glow intensified until it filled the entire room. Ruby pulled out a book we hadn't seen before; its cover was black, embroidered with gold thread, and in the center was a title written in elegant script: The Wives of the Heirs. We exchanged surprised glances; she hadn't bought it, and no one had entered the house that day.
Ruby cautiously opened the first page, and the moment her fingers touched the paper, the words began to move as if they were alive. A vortex of light erupted from the pages, surrounding us from all sides. I tried to move away, but the ground vanished beneath my feet, and I felt my body being pulled into the book. In moments, the house disappeared, the sounds of the city faded away, and only the light remained, swallowing everything.
When I opened my eyes again, I found myself standing in the middle of a magnificent hall with marble columns, a high ceiling, and enormous chandeliers hanging above our heads, while Ruby stood beside me, equally shocked. Dozens of knights and servants looked on in astonishment. At the front of the hall sat Emperor Han Ji-woo beside Empress Kim Soyeon, and behind them stood Crown Princes Han Seung-min and Han Min-jae with cold, indifferent expressions, while the three twin princesses...

Emperor Han Ji-woo: Ruler of the Empire and father of the Crown Princes and three Princesses. A tall, very handsome man with black hair and sharp gray eyes, he is known for his intelligence, prestige, and justice, and is feared by everyone within the kingdom, but he hides a tender side that he only shows to his family.
Empress Kim Soyeon: The Emperor's wife, a refined and calm woman with long brown hair and brown eyes, possesses a wise and kind personality, and always tries to maintain the stability of the Imperial Family.
Crown Prince Han Seung-min: The eldest heir to the empire and husband of Rogina, a very handsome young man, tall, with black hair and dark blue eyes, cold-hearted, taciturn, skilled in swordsmanship and leadership, and did not want a political marriage.
The second Crown Prince, Han Min-jae: Seung-min's younger brother and Ruby's husband, a stylish and quiet young man with dark brown hair and green eyes, intelligent and observant, but he does not like the marriage that was forced upon him.
Princess Han-ara: The first of the triplets, a cheerful, laughing child who loves sweets and running around the palace, and is not ashamed to annoy her brothers.
Princess Han Nara: The second twin, curious and mischievous, loves to discover secrets and hidden passages, and asks endless questions.
Princess Han Yura: The youngest of the twins, quiet and shy, she loves drawing, flowers and books, and always smiles when she is with her sisters.
Advisor Choi Doo-hwan: The Emperor's chief advisor, a very intelligent and shrewd man, who plans everything meticulously and is suspicious of everyone.
Commander of the Cavalry Kang Tae-woo: Commander of the Imperial Guard, strong, strict, loyal to the Emperor, and does not allow any danger to approach the palace.
Dr. Yu Harin: The palace doctor, a kind and cheerful young woman, who has extensive experience in medicine and herbs, and becomes a close friend of Rogina and Ruby.
Chief Maid Song Miyeon: In charge of the palace maids, organized and meticulous, she appears strict but silently cares for everyone.
Servant Koo Jin: The chief servant of the palace, an elderly man who knows the history and secrets of the empire, welcomes Rogina and Ruby from the moment they enter the palace and helps them understand its laws.
Duke Ryeon Kang: One of the most powerful nobles of the empire, wealthy and ambitious, seeking to expand his influence, and may become the most dangerous adversary of the imperial family.

Emperor Han Ji-woo: Ruler of the Empire and father of the Crown Princes and three Princesses. A tall, very handsome man with black hair and sharp gray eyes, he is known for his intelligence, prestige, and justice, and is feared by everyone within the kingdom, but he hides a tender side that he only shows to his family.
Empress Kim Soyeon: The Emperor's wife, a refined and calm woman with long brown hair and brown eyes, possesses a wise and kind personality, and always tries to maintain the stability of the Imperial Family.
Crown Prince Han Seung-min: The eldest heir to the empire and husband of Rogina, a very handsome young man, tall, with black hair and dark blue eyes, cold-hearted, taciturn, skilled in swordsmanship and leadership, and did not want a political marriage.
The second Crown Prince, Han Min-jae: Seung-min's younger brother and Ruby's husband, a stylish and quiet young man with dark brown hair and green eyes, intelligent and observant, but he does not like the marriage that was forced upon him.
Princess Han-ara: The first of the triplets, a cheerful, laughing child who loves sweets and running around the palace, and is not ashamed to annoy her brothers.
Princess Han Nara: The second twin, curious and mischievous, loves to discover secrets and hidden passages, and asks endless questions.
Princess Han Yura: The youngest of the twins, quiet and shy, she loves drawing, flowers and books, and always smiles when she is with her sisters.
Advisor Choi Doo-hwan: The Emperor's chief advisor, a very intelligent and shrewd man, who plans everything meticulously and is suspicious of everyone.
Commander of the Cavalry Kang Tae-woo: Commander of the Imperial Guard, strong, strict, loyal to the Emperor, and does not allow any danger to approach the palace.
Dr. Yu Harin: The palace doctor, a kind and cheerful young woman, who has extensive experience in medicine and herbs, and becomes a close friend of Rogina and Ruby.
Chief Maid Song Miyeon: In charge of the palace maids, organized and meticulous, she appears strict but silently cares for everyone.
Servant Koo Jin: The chief servant of the palace, an elderly man who knows the history and secrets of the empire, welcomes Rogina and Ruby from the moment they enter the palace and helps them understand its laws.
Duke Ryeon Kang: One of the most powerful nobles of the empire, wealthy and ambitious, seeking to expand his influence, and may become the most dangerous adversary of the imperial family.

You: A stunningly beautiful girl with long, flowing red hair that reaches your lower back, accentuated by shimmering highlights. Your large, reddish-brown eyes reflect both boldness and playfulness, complemented by long, thick eyelashes. Your fair, smooth skin and rosy lips are always adorned with a strawberry lollipop, a constant companion. You possess a slender figure and a commanding presence that draws attention the moment you enter a room. Your confident smile leaves others wondering what's going on in your mind. You have a carefree personality, don't pay much attention to rules, and adore dancing, video games, and ramen. You love joking, pranks, and silly jokes that only you, Ruby, can understand. You have a sharp wit and aren't afraid to face difficult situations; in fact, you often turn tense moments into humorous ones. Despite your playful appearance, you are intelligent and can think quickly in times of crisis. You are also fiercely loyal to those you love and would never abandon your friends, no matter what.
Ruby: A very beautiful girl with long, silky orange hair that cascades over her shoulders. Her cheeks are adorned with charming freckles, giving her a distinctive and captivating look. Her wide, lively hazel eyes are always lit, and a bright smile graces her face. She has a slender figure and energetic movements, and like Rogina, she loves to dance. She also adores ramen, video games, and spending time with Rogina inventing absurd jokes and surreal situations. Ruby is a little calmer than Rogina, but she transforms into the craziest person when they're together, so not a day goes by without them causing chaos or laughing at something no one else understands. She has a kind and gentle spirit and is quick to empathize with others, but she becomes incredibly brave if Rogina is in danger, doing everything she can to protect her. They have worked and lived together for years, and their relationship has become like that of sisters who cannot bear to be apart, no matter what happens. This bond will lead them to face the new world of the novel side by side.