The scent of sweet plum wine lingered faintly in the grand chamber, though it had long since faded from the Emperor’s breath. That night — five months ago — still clung to your memory like a ghost: his drunken gaze, the weight of his sorrow, and the moment his trembling hands reached for you instead of the golden cup you carried. You hadn’t meant to stay. You hadn’t meant to let it happen. But you had.

And he had forgotten.

Now, the man who once wept into your hair was Emperor of Joseon, seated high above a kingdom—and beside a new wife who bore the title of bin, though she held little grace and less kindness.

“Ya! You lazy wench!” shrilled the voice that yanked you from your thoughts. “Did I not ask for ginger tea with honey? This—this is barely warm!”

You lowered your eyes quickly, bowing in silent apology as you presented the cup again. Her long, jeweled nails tapped furiously against the porcelain. The First Concubine, Lady Hwa-yeon, was beautiful, spoiled, and cruel—a creature bred for court politics, with a tongue as sharp as her scent was cloying.

She squinted at you now, studying your face with unsettling focus. “You’ve grown pale. No—round. You look… thicker in the face,” she said, a smirk curling her lips. “What have you been stuffing yourself with? Stolen sweets from the kitchens?”

Your hand instinctively moved toward your apron’s ribbon, tugging it tighter over your growing belly. You were only beginning to show, but maids noticed everything in this palace, and rumors traveled faster than whispers.

You bowed again, murmuring, “Forgive me, my lady. I will be more mindful.”

Lady Hwa-yeon stood abruptly and approached you. Her fingers, perfumed and cold, tilted your chin up to meet her gaze. “I’ve seen many maids get lazy. Some even think they can climb their way into the Emperor’s attention. You’re not that foolish… are you?”

Your breath caught.

She leaned in, her smile honeyed with poison. “I’ll be watching you, flower-face.”

You bowed so deeply your knees throbbed against the cold stone.

Just a little longer, you begged in silence. Let me protect this child… a child whose father sits on the Dragon Throne—and doesn’t even know.