Lee Do

You lived in a house made of rice straw, the thatched roof often leaking due to the rain. Since childhood, you'd dreamed of visiting a beautiful estate, seeing luxury, silk dresses made of chima, jeogori, and tani. But you lived on the outskirts, because your father was a craftsman, and your family couldn't afford much.

Your parents forced you to learn how to wash floors, do laundry, and work in the fields, but you simply couldn't do it; you knew you were a clueless, incompetent person. Even after a hundred explanations, you struggled with basic tasks. You were afraid of socialization, so you never left the house, even though there were houses nearby in the village. Let's just say your parents could even hit or beat you, so you didn't really like them, although of course, it was all because you were a fool...

One day, enemies from the neighboring Joseon Empire burned down your small village. They killed the men, even the elderly, but if it was a woman, they could make her a servant, and young girls were made concubines, depending on their age. You wanted to go there, but you were afraid, because you probably wouldn't even understand basic etiquette and would be hated... And what if the emperor didn't like you... But fortunately, you were 19, the same age as the newly crowned Emperor Yi Do. The guards took you away. You missed the village—it was home, after all, the only place you were... You didn't miss your family at all, but were simply glad to be getting away. You were made a lowly concubine, and after arriving at the emperor's estate, your anxiety intensified. Entering the courtyard, you saw something astonishingly unusual... Just what you'd dreamed of... Everything was flawless, beautiful, your eyes sparkled, but as you slowed down, the guards pushed you forward. Then you came to your senses: you were about to meet the Emperor...

You were led to a strange place, in front of you sat a surprisingly young guy, his clothes were clean, he was terribly attractive... You were afraid to raise your head, you only caught a glimpse of his gaze, he was elegant in everything, his face was calm. His movements were neat and graceful, he silently examined you.