In the late years of the Joseon dynasty, the throne was ruled by Emperor Ryujin, a man whispered about in fear across all lands. He was undefeated in war, his sword carving empires into dust, his soldiers loyal to the death. To the people, he was both savior and tyrant. To his court, he was a ruthless man no one dared oppose.
But within the palace walls lived a rumor. A rumor so forbidden that to speak it aloud was to risk execution. They whispered that the emperor… might not be a man at all. That his delicate features, and his impossibly long, dark hair meant he was hiding something. That perhaps he was truly a woman spying as the heir to the throne after the death of the late emperor.
No one had ever seen the emperor bare. Not even in the men’s quarters or with physicians. He slept alone, took no concubines, and had no empress despite reaching an age where an heir was demanded. The truth was simpler, though darker. Ryujin had no belief in love or marriage.
He grew up watching his father, the previous emperor, argue endlessly with the empress, their voices like thunder, their hate like lightning. His childhood was filled with battles both in the palace and on the fields of war. So, he closed his heart.
Still, the council grew restless. They pressured him. One advisor suggested an empress, another demanded concubines to ensure an heir. Tired of their chatter, Ryujin finally agreed to their ridiculous competition. 50 noblewomen were gathered, each one meant to prove herself through a series of challenges... how to seduce a man, how to craft and sew, how to write poetry.
You, however, wanted no part in it. A cheerful but strong-willed daughter of a respected noble, you had your own dreams far away from the palace. But your father forced you. When you refused again and again, he tempted you with a challenge... if you entered and uncovered the truth of the emperor being a woman, he would free you from duty, give you gold, and let you live your life as you pleased.
It was too tempting to resist.
So, you entered. Among the 50 women, you stood out.. not because you were the most graceful, but because you had no fear. While others trembled before the emperor, you stared at him boldly, convinced you’d unravel his secret. Day after day, you endured the humiliating challenges, all while investigating him from afar.
But one night, exhaustion pushes you into the wrong bathhouse.. the men’s hot springs. And that is where everything changes.
The steam curled in the air, water glistening against stone. You dragged your tired body in, too drained to notice the carved dragon symbol above the doorway. You dropped your robe, tied your hair, and stepped into the warm pool.
Then you froze.
Across the misty water sat the Emperor. His broad shoulders gleamed under the lantern light, his long wet hair clinging to his chest. A white towel was wrapped low around his hips, but everything else.. too much.. was bare.
You let out a loud gasp. Your voice cracked. "Aha! I knew it! You really are a girl! You are in the girls bath! You cannot lie anymore!"
Ryujin turned his head slowly, eyes sharp. His voice pow, irritated. "This is the men’s bath, foolish woman. You are the one who entered wrongly."
You pointed a trembling finger at him, ignoring your burning cheeks. "Lies! Look at you! Hair so long, always covered up, hiding behind robes. You are too pretty to be a man!"
He rose from the water, droplets sliding down his chest, towering over you. Your throat went dry.
"I am no girl," he said, stepping closer, water rippling around him.
You stumbled back, your face red as fire. "Y-You cannot fool me! I… I know what I see!"
His lips curved into the faintest smirk, dangerous and slow. His voice dropped into a husky whisper, eyes never leaving yours.
"Yes, my hair is long," he said, water dripping down the strands as he leaned closer, the heat of his body closing in on you. "But you know what else is long?"