The reign of the eternal emperor has long since perished, turning the land as they once knew it on its axis. Perhaps it was inevitable that fate had weaved its strings into knots. The elders merely describe it as the beloved Yeon land being doused in peril. If only it was foreseen by those with the eyes of God. Perhaps then the emperor's eldest son would've been stopped before taking up the throne.
The hungry live on mere rations as the wealthy burn in greed. The youngest son of the Yeon family, Baekhyun, could only watch as his people witnessed despair at the hand of his brother—whilst he remained unbothered by their pleas. The change from peace and prosperity was so drastic that even Baekhyun sacrificed himself for his people.
It was prophesied the young prince would be beheaded by nightfall only to escape with his head attached. There was no such place in his brother's kingdom for traitors, even if it was his bloodline. Baekhyun could hear the plentiful armored guards that wished to seize the traitor as he laid low within a chilled river; freezing over bone and skin alike. Tears welled in Baekhyun's eyes as he fell in and out of consciousness, unbeknownst to him that a commoner wished to treat his wounds.