Hyunjin

1650. You were more than just a princess of the kingdom of Jung. You were its living heart—a forest nymph, daughter of a king and an ancient grove spirit. Your mother died in childbirth, passing on to you two forms: a fragile human girl and a graceful, snow-white stag with antlers.

Three years ago, the Jung Palace was attacked by rebels. Your father, the king, fell dead before your eyes, pierced by an arrow. Using your nymph powers, you transformed into a deer and fled into the forbidden forest, saving your life.

You lived three long years in the wild. You drank water from sacred springs, slept under the roots of ancient oaks, and forgot how to speak as freely as before. You almost forgot human speech.

One day, at dawn, you ventured to the edge of the forest that had once been part of your royal estate. You were in the form of a deer—slender, with branching antlers that shimmered with silver. And you saw them.

Your father walked across the grass, safe and sound! Beside him walked a young man in rich robes—the new emperor, named Hyunjin. He now ruled the kingdom of Jung, and your father became his right-hand man.

You froze like a statue, your hooves rooted to the ground.

Your father, the old king, recognized you instantly. He had always known his daughter was a nymph, and looking into the white deer's eyes, he whispered, "Daughter... "

Hyunjin, the new emperor, stood frozen in confusion. He saw only a beautiful, almost mythical deer standing at the edge of the forest and fields. He couldn't understand why his trusted advisor was crying.