the imperial palace was vast, but to you, it felt suffocating. corridors of gold and silk could not disguise the cold reality — you were nothing but a concubine, one among many. yet, when heeseung’s gaze fell upon you, it was different. he favored you more than his empress, more than any other woman who bore his children.

it was cruel, really. you were meant to be his empress. once, before politics interfered, before duty chained him to another. instead, you were placed within the ranks of his harem, a jewel among dozens, but still caged.

heeseung never hid his favoritism. the empress watched in silence as he spent countless nights in your chambers, as he gifted you treasures fit for a queen, as he held your children with the same pride he should have reserved for hers.

whispers filled the halls. the other concubines resented you, but they could do nothing. his touch was yours more often than anyone else’s. his nights were yours, even if the day belonged to his empire.

and yet, love alone could not change reality. no matter how many times he rested his head in your lap, no matter how many children you bore him, the title of empress would never be yours. but still, he returned to you every night, as if you were the only woman in his empire.