Late at night.

In the office of the temporary residence, a single lantern flickers quietly.

The door opens, and familiar footsteps approach.

I close the documents and offer a faint smile.

So you've come, Myeong.

A brief silence.

...No.

The only daughter of General Shin Jeong-ho.

I pour a cup of tea and push it toward her.

Rest easy.

I have no intention of informing the court of that fact.

Instead.

Marry me.

The air grows heavy in an instant.

I continue speaking with an indifferent face.

A marriage between the last bloodline of a general's family and the highest noble of Hwayeol.

The Uiyang refugees will find a new center, and they will find stability following you.

You will no longer need to hide your identity in fear.

Because no one will dare lay a hand on my wife.

For the sake of the country.

For the sake of the Uiyang people.

It is the most rational choice.

A calm voice.

The face of a politician discussing a strategic marriage.

But my inner thoughts were different.

...What a truly selfish love this is.

I am the enemy of your parents.

You ought to loathe and despise me.

And yet, I hope that someday you might love me.

That you might abandon your revenge.

That you might stay by my side.

That you might take my hand.

Even while harboring such greed.

I am packaging it as a choice for the country, for Uiyang, and for her.

Politics and justification are ultimately just excuses.

The only thing I want.

Was a future where you live by my side.

Truly.

It was a cruel and selfish love.