Even After 1592

Introduction to Dawn Jeong (reader):

A morning with usual headache and endless nagging is normal for Dawn Jeong, a 22 year old Environmental Sciences student. Being on her 3rd year in college, things are way tougher now; and so much more if she wanted to surpass her sister and receive recognition from her parents.

She went down to where their dining table was to grab a bite before finally going to school, only to find her mom and her sister already having their breakfast together.

"As usual, not bothering to ask me to join you, aye?" she said to herself as she puts on her socks.

"Aren't you going to finish your assigned company presentation? Or should I hire someone to do it?" suggests her mom, Ae-cha talking to her sister.

"Oh she'll do just fine. I trust her more than anyone. Unlike someone who should have been working trying to get my approval!" another voice emerges from behind. It was the head of the Jeong Family, owner of some lands in both Seoul and Daegu; a very rich influential man, Donny Jeong. And he was praising his oldest and speaking ill of his youngest. But Dawn never talks back; at least that's what he knew.

"Ugh what will I benefit from that? I don't need your money anyway." Dawn almost whispered to herself with her eyes rolling, putting hotdogs and bacon to her plate.

"I suggest you to behave, Dawnie." said her sister Sunny: the favorite child among them siblings.

Dawn was the youngest. But she had another older sister from a different mother, though she rarely almost sees her, she felt more close to her than her blood-related sister because they were the complete opposite of each other. Unlike Sunny who has been charming, an actual beauty, everybody's favorite and is now the successor to their family business, Dawn was different. Sure she's cute, but she was just the smart kid, nothing extraordinary, nothing compared to her sister. She was rather plain boring.

It was as clear as the day that everyone just naturally loves her sister ever since they were little; even without trying so hard, what Sunny wants, Sunny gets. Seems like all the love and attention was poured only for Sunny. At such an early age, Dawn was able to realize that way better than anyone. I mean, what kind of parent would name her youngest "Dawn" like dark & grey when they named their oldest "Sunny" which literally means sunshine, right?

She hurriedly finishes her breakfast and leaves before anyone could say anything that could possibly ruin her day than it already has.

"At least greet us good bye when you leave!" her mother shouted as Dawn was about to close the door. "Ask Sunny to do it for you!!" she sarcastically replied, leaving her parents burst to anger.

It was already 4:45PM when she reached the university gate, first and last subject went by so fast that she realized how much she hated going home.

"Hello?? D-bomb!! Are you listening to me?" Cali Choi, her best friend shouted at her.

"Sorry Cece, what were you saying?" she asks.

"Well, I think you should see this, d-bomb. Your oh-so-lovely sister is on the mayor's cultural properties campaign program and guess what..." she said as she hands her her phone. Curious, Dawn decided to take a look.

"Good news people of Gyeongju!! We have secured the Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongsang Province and is now co-owned and will be managed by the Jeong family." She said.

"Dawn will be managing it and will be the head guide of the temple. Well, as you all know she's studying ES in college and this task definitely suits her best so I believe this is perfect opportunity for her. And it's a Confucian temple by the way." Sunny's voice through the phone's speakers.

Dawn didn't say anything and hurriedly went home after what she heard. She normally doesn't react no matter how annoying her sister was, but this was different. Like: Who the hell does she thinks she is? Deciding for me like that. She sure thought.

"Mom!!" she shouted as she put her things in the sofa. "What is Sunny talking about?! Why am I being sent to that old thing in Gyeongsang?!!" she asked.

"Sunny said? Oh that's actually a great idea. File a leave at school then. Your grandparents have been so annoying lately asking us to... you know, to take over that temple but as things were, Don and I are usually busy." her mom sipping Pu-erh tea, seemed not to care, agrees.

Not surprised by her mom's respond, "It's always like this. You do whatever you want without even asking me if I am okay with it." she said, hoping to get a response; an assurance that maybe they actually cared after all.

But her mom said nothing. Basically ignoring Dawn.

At this point Dawn couldn't care more so since she'll be out of the house anyway, she grabs the chance to finally explode.

"Wow, so I have no say regarding this? Regarding me? Like how can you guys always invalidate my feelings?" she demanded.

"You're being too dramatic, Dawn." Her mother calmly said.

"Jesus Christ, dramatic?! Mom all I want is to be loved! Because you guys never spare me one. I was all alone, mom...even from the start..." she added.

Her voice shakes as she uttered those words. She can feel the sting coming from her eyes as the tears forming around it, but she didn't want to cry in front of her mother so she runs to her room and finally let everything out. Before she knew it, she started packing her things. She was still obedient in the end. She managed to sleep while her eyes still wet from the tears. "Only my pillow knows my ordeal." she thought.

Morning came, and she was ready to leave. Her mother was nowhere to be seen, and her dad was having the best sleep, as his snoring filled their mansion. Sunny was at the door with the car, waiting for her.

"Sorry Dawnie for such a sudden eviction. I should do it you know, but 'my' company is making me busy nowadays." She said annoyingly. "Just don't get bored there. But do teach me whatever things you'll learn like Confucian stuffs, perhaps... air bending?" she let out a small laugh waiting for Dawn's reaction.

"Bitch, Aang was a Buddhist. And that there in Gyeongsang is a Buddhist temple. Ew, shame. Try again next time." Dawn replied as she walks past her, leaving Sunny visibly annoyed.

And just that, Dawn is on her way to a world rather different that what she was used to living.

....