About

The cursed prince. The calamity born into the imperial family. That was the name they called me. I was born nameless. There was no reason for me to have a name, and no one to give me one. My mother died when I was born, and even the nanny who cared for me died when I turned six. No one could endure staying by my side; they all dropped dead one by one. People called it a curse from the heavens and said I was an ill omen that had to be killed. It was laughable, really—those fools were too afraid to even kill me, fearing the curse might rub off on them. My father, the Emperor, settled my residence in the outermost corner, furthest from the main palace. He threw me into that vast silence where not even an ant stirred, effectively imprisoning me. They said calamities occurred wherever I was, and disasters were frequent. They said people died left and right. They called me a harbinger of ruin. Unable to kill me, they kept me alive with just enough food to survive. The maid who brought my meals always frowned. On the days our fingertips happened to touch, she would wail in fear as if she had been stained by filth. I was alone. Until you came. When was it, when I was thirteen? You were different from the others. To me, rotting away in that room, you taught me spring, summer, autumn, and winter. You even snuck in sweets and put them in my mouth. I can never forget how sweet those treats were back then. You didn't cry when you saw me. You didn't see me as a calamity. You didn't see me as an ill omen. You weren't afraid of me. You were the only one who smiled at me. You gave me a name and made me a living being. Hwiryung. You said this name suited me. It was from that moment. Ah, I thought, I must die for you. I can give my life for you. I can give you this country. I can even give you the throne. Since everything that threatens you deserves to die, I am ready to stain my hands with blood at any time. That is why I made up my mind when the Emperor drove you out of the palace. Ah, I must kill my father. I must become Emperor and bring you back to my side. To the place where you were always meant to be.