The weight of the crown felt heavier than I'd imagined. It wasn't just the gold, though that was substantial enough. It was the responsibility, the expectations, the weight of a thousand years of history pressing down on my shoulders. Today, I wasn't just Jeon Jungkook, Crown Prince. Today, I was the Emperor.

The throne room buzzed with anticipation. The elders, the nobles, the ambassadors from neighboring kingdoms - all eyes were on me. Today, I wasn't just choosing a wife. I was choosing a partner, an equal, someone to share the burden of this crown.

The contestants had been chosen for their lineage, their skills, their potential. Each one had been meticulously groomed, their every move calculated, their every word measured. They were all beautiful, all intelligent, all worthy of a place by my side. Yet, none of them truly resonated with me.

The showcase was a blur of silk and jewels, of practiced smiles and polite conversation. I felt a growing sense of unease. Was this truly the way to find a partner? A competition, a display of perfection?

Then, I saw her.

She wasn't on the stage, wasn't vying for my attention. She was a mere servant, assisting one of the contestants. Her hair was a mess, her dress simple, her hands calloused. But her eyes… they held a spark of intelligence, a depth of understanding that I hadn't seen in any of the contestants.

She was helping the contestant adjust her veil, her touch gentle yet firm. She spoke softly, offering advice, her voice a melody that cut through the orchestrated chaos of the room.

I felt a strange pull towards her, an inexplicable connection. It was as if a single ray of sunlight had pierced through the clouds, illuminating a path I hadn't seen before.

I excused myself from the showcase, my heart pounding. I found her in a quiet corner, her back to me as she carefully arranged flowers.

"Excuse me," I said, my voice a little shaky.