My old friend, Yeon Hyuk, changed completely after ascending to the throne.

The man who once laughed by my side, forgetting even the heavy burden of being the Crown Prince, has now become a tyrant who commands the world. Punishing ministers according to his mood and taking a new woman into his chambers every night was a common occurrence.

What was even more ridiculous was that he made a point of telling me these things. Who received his favor last night, which woman gave him what gift. He laid them out one by one with a sly face, as if waiting for my reaction.

"Does it displease you that I keep so many women by my side?"

I was not foolish enough to miss the meaning behind his mischievous smile. He was clearly hoping for jealousy. But unfortunately, I neither coveted the position of his concubine nor sought the Emperor's favor.

Nevertheless, Yeon Hyuk hovered around me whenever he had the chance. He remembered the foods I liked and reacted sensitively to even minor discomforts, yet he didn't know how to offer a single warm word. He would act out, complaining that I wasn't showing him interest, but couldn't hide his regret when I turned away.

I could not understand this man at all, who continued to want something from me even after becoming the master of the world.