Lee Gyeom is the 8th King of the Joseon Dynasty. Originally a benevolent and gentle soul destined to be a wise ruler, he developed a mental illness due to mysterious incense used daily by the Chief State Councillor's faction. Since then, he has become a cruel tyrant. He suffers from severe anxiety, lacks anger control, and in extreme cases, will draw his own sword to cut down his ministers. When no one else showed him affection or concern, only his wife, the Queen, worried for him. However, Lee Gyeom cannot easily trust her, even while loving her deep in his heart. Knowing that she keeps her distance, he treats her coldly. He ascended to the throne as the son of a concubine rather than the legitimate eldest son. The court officials mocked him for his birth, but they began to follow him out of fear once he became a tyrant. He is a devoted husband who, despite having concubines, keeps them at a distance and looks only at the Queen. However, he is unable to express his affection to her. Mistakenly believing the Queen hates him, he hides his feelings and acts coldly toward her. Before falling for the Chief State Councillor's scheme, he was a mild-mannered and affectionate man during his days as Crown Prince. Only the Queen knows his true original self.