Empress of Otherverse

“So… This is a different world from earth, and you are a descendant of another traveler from Korea?”

“Yes, and that is why I can communicate with you. This language, Korean, is only taught to her direct descendants.”

This was such a shocking situation that Shiyeon couldn’t think straight.

“Descendants… So there are others?”

Aria nodded. “Yes. Empress Sa Bina had two children. The first daughter Beatrice was the very first female ruler of Cransia and was respected as one of the best leaders in our history. The current emperor is Kentius the Fifth, who is the son of Empress Beatrice the First. That makes him… Empress Sa Bina’s grandson.”

Shiyeon became speechless.

What Aria told her was simple. An assailant was chasing Shiyeon when the ground collapsed into a gate that led to another world. She was lucky she survived the travel. When she arrived, one of the descendants of the past Korean traveler was waiting for her to explain the situation.

Shiyeon yelled in disbelief, “This doesn’t make sense at all!”

“… What doesn’t?”

“This is a prank of some kind like on TV, right? Another world? Descendant of another Korean traveler? This is ridiculous!”

Aria asked in confusion, “Tee… vee? What is that?”

“…”

Aria truly seemed confused. Shiyeon’s legs gave in from shock, and as she was about to fall, Aria quickly grabbed her.

“T… thank you.”

Aria looked at her with understanding and sympathy.

“I realize that this is shocking news. It’s understandable that you are confused. Empress Sa Bina also mentioned that she had a difficult time accepting this situation.”

“…”

Aria helped Shiyeon onto a chair and offered her a warm cup of green tea.

“But she ended up becoming one of the greatest empresses in Cransian history, so please don’t worry. Things will work out for you if you make it happen.”

“That lady… She didn’t get to return to her home.”

“No.”

Aria continued calmly with kindness, “And… she made sure to leave traces of herself in history so everyone will always remember her story.”

“…”

After a short hesitation, Shiyeon asked quietly, “Why are you telling me all this?”

Aria’s answer was unexpected.

“This is one of the duties of all Bilenae descendants. I guess, duty may be too grand of a word for this, but Empress Sa Bina made sure that her descendants will take care of the Bilenae forest and wait for future travelers, whenever it may be.”

“…”

“We have been waiting for you. I have never expected I would be the one who gets to greet you.” Aria looked overwhelmed with pride and joy.

Shiyeon asked again, “But you said the current emperor is also her descendant. So why is it just your family who needs to carry out this duty?”

Aria smiled smoothly and replied, “It is true that her blood runs through the current royal family, but the royal family belongs to the kingdom. Its duty is to this country and this country only. This is why Empress Sa Bina inherited Bilenae to her second daughter Liselotte and asked her to complete this mission. My grandmother, Liselotte, left the Cransian castle after her marriage and lived her life here. She also changed her last name to Bilenae.”

“Then…”

“Yes. Bilenae family is a direct royal descendant as well, but we have given up our close position to the throne. More specifically, my grandmother, Grand Duchess Liselotte did. Instead of remaining in line for the throne, she inherited this land and became the keeper of her mother Sa Bina’s records. Therefore, our family is still a direct descendant of Empress Sa Bina.”

Aria reached out to hold Shiyeon’s hand. Only then did Shiyeon realize that her hands were ice cold and shaking.

Aria squeezed her hand warmly. She was acting on behalf of the woman who would have loved to be here to help this girl.

Aria continued, “She asked us that if and when another person passes through the gate, we needed to make sure to help in any way possible. She wanted the next traveler to not feel like he or she was abandoned alone in this new world.”

Shiyeon felt tears rolling down from her eyes. She still couldn’t understand her situation clearly. She still expected to wake up at any moment to find herself in her own bedroom.

However, Aria was telling her that a long time ago, someone expected this to happen and made preparations. This idea was so far fetched that it had to be real.

Shiyeon felt grateful for this woman she had never met before, but the realization that this was real felt too painful.

“Mom…”

Aria hugged her tight, just as Bina would have if she was here. Aria didn’t say anything and just held her for a very long time.

***

It had been a week since Shiyeon arrived in this world. During this time, she could finally accept her situation.

Shiyeon headed towards Aria’s office. She needed to make a request. As she walked by the portrait of Bina, she thought carefully. This woman became part of this world’s history. She lived a full life here.

Shiyeon heard many things from Aria during the week, and one thing was certain. The reason why Aria was so kind and respectful to Shiyeon was because Empress Sa Bina was a truly revered figure.

It was clear that Aria felt proud to be a descendant of Sa Bina.

Aria told her that Empress Sa Bina left a message for the future traveler and Shiyeon was finally ready to read it.

As she looked at the portrait of the Korean woman, Shiyeon whispered, “… Thank you.”

Aria was happy to hand her the message. She took out a book and numerous pieces of documents from a safe. Both looked very old.

“All these… are from her?”

“Yes. These are all the records she saved of past travelers. Some of them are not about Empress Sa Bina herself. They are actually information on another woman before her. Empress Sa Bina was acquainted with the Aos Priestess and after her coronation, she asked for these records.”

The documents were in Cransian, which meant that Shiyeon would have to learn the language first, or ask Aria to translate it for her.

However, Shiyeon felt like she needed to learn the language and read it herself.

Aria pointed at the book and explained, “And this is the record directly from Empress Sabina. She wrote it for you.”

This time, Shiyeon could read it clearly. When she opened to the first page, it was filled with familiar letters.

Korean.

-To you in the very distant future.

The woman who came to this world by accident just like her.

The woman who lived her life to the fullest and left her mark in this world.

Shiyeon’s hand trembled as she turned to the next page.