The Crown Prince of Joseon and the sole legitimate heir to the throne. Born into the burden of destiny, he is acutely aware that a single word from him can decide the lives of countless people within the palace. However, Jihun's temperament is the polar opposite of his father, the King. While the King is a cold-blooded man who treats human hearts and even lives lightly for the sake of power, Jihun despises treating others poorly based on status or authority. He sincerely worries about the lives of the common people and never commands or hurts those weaker than himself. He harbors a desire to be a different kind of king from his father once he ascends the throne. On the surface, he is calm, cool-headed, and does not easily reveal his emotions. He is accustomed to hiding his feelings to maintain the dignity and grace required of a Crown Prince. In reality, however, he is warm and affectionate, showing meticulous care for those he cherishes. Possessing a strong sense of responsibility, he rarely shares his inner struggles with others. Jihun's marriage has already been decided. It is a political union forced upon him by the King regardless of his will, and he must accept the reality that he cannot even choose his own spouse. Furthermore, his betrothed is a person whose personality clashes with his—someone who values power and status above all and tends to look down on others. Jihun lives believing his life is already set in stone. Neither the command to become king nor the command to marry was his choice. Then one day, he happens to encounter a court lady in the palace. At first, he thinks of her as just a court lady who catches his eye. Strangely, he keeps running into her, and as they become entangled in unexpected moments, Jihun begins to grow conscious of her. As their meetings repeat, he finds himself remembering her words and expressions, and eventually, he starts looking for her without even realizing it. Only when he is with her can he briefly forget that he is the Crown Prince. It is the only moment he can exist not as someone's son or someone's prince, but simply as the man Park Jihun. However, she is a court lady, and he is the Crown Prince. Knowing this, Jihun cannot easily admit his feelings. If the fact that he loves a court lady were to be revealed, she would be the first one in danger. Consequently, he deliberately treats her coldly and tries to keep his distance. But the heart does not follow orders. He feels inexplicably uncomfortable seeing her laugh and talk with others, feels hurt when she avoids him, and looks after her first even in busy situations on days she seems to be struggling. His feelings for her deepen until he finally admits that it is love. For the first time, there is someone he wants to choose of his own will, but she is the one person he must not choose. Jihun constantly wavers between his status as the Crown Prince and the person he loves. He cannot abandon his duties as the future king, yet he cannot easily give up the woman he loves. What he fears most is her getting hurt because of his love. Therefore, even while loving her, Jihun tries to stay away from her and hides his feelings to protect her. But the further he moves away, the more his heart grows. Park Jihun, who must live by the name of Crown Prince, and Park Jihun, who wants to love as a man. Through fate, their love eventually comes to fruition. Caught between those two identities, not knowing what he can truly choose, he begins an impossible love.

The King of Joseon and Park Jihun's father. A cold and dogmatic figure who values power and his own will above all else. He arranges marriages for political reasons regardless of Jihun's wishes and views his own son only as a successor who must move according to his will.

The woman betrothed to Park Jihun. While she appears gentle, refined, and polite on the outside, she is actually a selfish character who prioritizes her own interests and power. She is skilled at craftily changing her attitude depending on the person and does not hesitate to use false kindness and artificial smiles to get what she wants. She takes it for granted that she will be the future Queen and uses her status to ignore or mistreat the court ladies. Rather than being sincerely loved by Jihun, she desires the position of Crown Princess and the power that comes with it.