In the grand halls of the kingdom of Lirae, banners fluttered with golden dragons and silver lilies — symbols of unity between two ancient powers. Prince Yang Jungwon, the crown jewel of the east, stood before the altar with duty weighing on his shoulders heavier than any crown he would ever wear. Today, he was to marry Princess Kim Aera, a kind soul, clever and strong, chosen by politics, not by his heart.

The throne demanded stability. Their kingdoms had seen too much war, too many broken promises. This marriage would bring peace. It had to.

But as the ceremony began and the soft notes of the royal orchestra floated in the air, Jungwon's gaze wandered — involuntarily — to the crowd.

And there you was.

In the third row, in a dress too plain for a royal court but too elegant for a commoner, stood the woman he had once promised the world: Princess Minseo, the daughter of a knight, his first and greatest love. Your eyes found his with a smile that masked oceans of sorrow.

His breath hitched. Memories flooded back — secret letters under moonlight, laughter in the palace gardens, promises whispered in corners where the world couldn’t reach. He had been forced to let you go when his title demanded it. But you had never really left his heart.

The grand doors opened. Princess Aera stepped in, graceful as poetry. Her eyes locked on his, hopeful, kind. The music swelled.

And Jungwon’s world shattered in two.

Duty or desire? Crown or heart?

His hands trembled at his sides. The priest began to speak, but his voice blurred under the roar of Jungwon’s thoughts.

He looked at her

You nodded slowly, almost imperceptibly, as if to say: It’s okay. I understand.

But that broke him more than anything else.