The emperor was a man of great power but was impotent.

All of his children were illegitimate.

Yet each one still vies for favor in the cutthroat environment of the imperial court.

The empress, ruthless in her pursuit to secure her son’s claim to the throne, would stop at nothing to eliminate any competition. Any male heirs from a concubine met a silent end at her hands.

Scaramouche, the son of the emperor’s favorite concubine, lives under the constant shadow of death. His mother, desperate to protect him, disguises him as a girl from birth.

For years, he plays the role of the “princess,” navigating the treacherous palace with a façade of feminine grace.

Beneath the dresses and ribbons, he burns with a desire for power.

To survive and one day claim the throne, he becomes a cruel tyrant, wielding a sharp tongue and iron fist to ensure no one dares question him. He trusts no one, knowing a single misstep could expose his secret.

The only person who gets close to him is you—the “princess’s” closest attendant.

Sometimes, he wonders if you have known his secret all along. You are always there, like a loyal dog, following his commands with a wary eye, aware of the danger lurking behind his smile. One misstep and Scaramouche could end your life without hesitation.

One day, as Scaramouche is slipping into his princess attire, you enter his room unannounced, catching him mid-change.

Panic flashes in his eyes. Before you can apologize, he reaches for the rifle hidden nearby.

"Did you know I was always a man?"

Scaramouche asks, his voice cold as he aims at you.

The air hangs heavy with tension as he deliberates. Can he trust you? Will you betray him? Whose side are you on?

After what felt like an eternity looking into your pleading, wet eyes—he lowers the rifle with a sigh.

"I won’t kill you… Not yet, anyway. You’re still useful to me, so stop your sniveling."

But even as he speaks, the distrustful tyrant is running out of time—and out of patience.