“You seem to be in some difficulty.”

The twelve-year-old girl, Sonyeong, gazed down at the pond. Her lovely, delicate face, reminiscent of a fairy child’s, revealed anxiety when someone addressed her. Startled by the unfamiliar voice, she turned around.

Standing there was a young man — though ‘boy’ might have been a more fitting description. He looked no more than four or five years older than her.

He could not have been older than twenty, yet there was already something striking about his bearing and finely chiseled features. At the sight of his handsome, noble face, Sonyeong blushed faintly.

‘They said an honored guest was coming to the men’s quarters today. Did he come with them?’

For a brief moment, she stared at him as though spellbound. Then, realizing what she was doing, she hurriedly lowered her gaze. Mortified that she had been staring so openly at a boy she did not know, she felt her long lashes flutter against her pale cheeks.

“It is nothing.”

A gust of wind blew the handkerchief out of her grasp and into the pond.

It had been a gift from Lady Sukbin during her last visit to the palace.

She dropped it into the water. Even worse, the pond was due to be cleaned and the water was already murky. If anyone found out, she might disgrace herself and her entire family. Unable to summon a servant, she stood there helplessly, shifting from foot to foot.

“Is it that silk handkerchief you need?”

Despite her insistence that nothing was wrong, the young gentleman came to stand beside her and grasped the situation at once. Sonyeong could not bring herself to answer. Pale-faced, she could only swallow nervously.

Splash.

Her eyes flew wide.

“Young master!”

By the time she called out, it was already too late. He had leaped into the pond and was making his way without hesitation toward the handkerchief. Reaching it, he plucked the silk from the water.

“How could you…!”

When he emerged, soaked from head to foot, Sonyeong could scarcely speak. Her gaze wavered as he held out the handkerchief he had retrieved.

“You did not seem able to call the servants, so I took it upon myself to help. I hope you will not think me presumptuous.”

“Presumptuous? I do not know how I can ever repay your kindness.”

Her voice trembled, and a small smile escaped him.

“Take better care of it from now on.”

Then he turned and began to walk away. Before she knew it, Sonyeong had taken a step after him.

“Please, wait.”

He looked back at her call. Feeling an inexplicable warmth rise to her face, she turned slightly to one side.

“May I at least know your name? You have done me a great kindness. If the opportunity ever arises, I would very much like to repay it.”

“Hmm…”

The young gentleman hesitated. Just as Sonyeong began to fear that he might not wish to tell her, he spoke.

“My ancestral seat is Jeonju. My courtesy name is Wonun. As for an art name, your brother promised to give me one, but he seems to have forgotten, so I have none yet.”

Sonyeong listened intently, feeling each word settle deep within her heart.

“My name is Yi Hyul.”

…Yi Hyul!

Her eyes widened at the name. She went rigid, her gaze darting back to him.

“Though most people call me Your Highness.”

With that, he finished his introduction and walked away.

The crown prince of this kingdom.

It was only then that Sonyeong blinked, her fingers tightening involuntarily around the handkerchief.

Pond water dripped from the silk she was clenching in her hand.

***

Seven years.

Had it really been that long since that day?

She had relived the memory of their first meeting every day since then, committing every detail to memory. For seven years, she had loved him in secret, stealing the occasional glance at him from a distance.

And now, at last, the day she had never dared to hope for had arrived.

Alone in the bridal chamber, Sonyeong exhaled softly and pressed a slender hand against her fluttering heart.

The little girl she had been seven years ago had grown into a graceful young woman. Once as lovely as a fairy child, she now possessed the beauty of a celestial maiden. With her face dusted with fine powder and her lips tinted like flower petals, she wore an elaborate ceremonial wig over her ornate bridal robe and looked like a flower in full bloom.

Her happiness was impossible to hide. It shone in her eyes and softened her lips into a smile.

When she first realized that she loved him, she had scarcely dared to imagine that one day she would become his wife.

She barely noticed the weight of her wig or the weariness brought on by the procession and wedding feast.

All she felt was joy and breathless anticipation.

At last, she was married to the man she had longed for all these years.

Sonyeong swallowed nervously, her heart brimming with happiness. As she waited for her husband, her hands trembled in her lap. The thought of their wedding night made her too shy to look at the candlelight.

But the appointed hour had come and gone.

Why hadn’t he arrived yet?

‘Something must have detained him.’

‘I want to see him soon.’

Her beloved — the man she had longed for all these years.

During the wedding ceremony, she had been too nervous to look up, only managing to catch his gaze briefly.

Soon, she would be able to look at him properly and take in every detail of his face.

What would it feel like to be held in his arms?

The thought brought a deep blush to Sonyeong’s delicate cheeks. Then she heard someone approaching.

He was coming.

Her heart began to pound so fiercely that each beat seemed to shake her.

The court ladies were saying something outside the door, but Sonyeong couldn’t hear a word. Trembling, she licked her lips and swallowed repeatedly, trying to ease the dryness in her throat.

Bang.

“Your Highness!”

The door flew open with a crash, followed by the startled cries of the court ladies. Sonyeong flinched. Fearing it would be improper to turn around, she remained seated and listened.

Footsteps approached in long, brisk strides. Her nervous anticipation turned to confusion, and a faint crease formed between her brows.

No palace servant would open a door so carelessly.

Had His Highness thrown it open himself?

Why…?

Before she could make sense of it, a dull thud broke the silence. Though softer than the crash of the door, it startled her all the same, causing her to hunch her shoulders.

At last, she gathered the courage to glance back.

A ceremonial hat rolled across the floor.

Hyul had pulled it off his head and thrown it aside when he came in. Not knowing what to do, Sonyeong quickly faced forward again, her gaze shifting anxiously over the space in front of her.

“Court Lady Kim. Open the door.”

At last, she heard the voice she had been dreaming of.

But it was nothing like she had imagined.

It was low and cold, unmistakably seething with anger.

A different kind of trembling took hold of Sonyeong. Her eyes darted around uneasily.

“Your Highness, what is your command?”

The senior court lady keeping watch outside opened the door and answered. Undoing the ties of his robe, Hyul spoke without so much as looking at her.

“From this moment on, leave that door open and watch closely what I do to this woman.”

“Y-Your Highness…!”

“And report every detail of how she cried to His Most Exalted Lordship, the Left State Councillor.”

At the mockery in his voice, Sonyeong’s eyes froze in shock.

Song Jaehak, the Left State Councillor.

Her father.

“Your Highness!”

“Close that door or utter another word, and I will kill you.”

With that unshakable declaration, Hyul dropped his coat onto the floor.

His face was suddenly right in front of hers.

Avoiding his gaze, Sonyeong stared anxiously at the floor. Finally, she swallowed and cautiously lifted her gaze to meet his.

His tightly pressed lips. His high, straight nose.

And his eyes were colder than she could ever have imagined.

She took in his features one by one.

His gaze was colder than she could have imagined. It hurt. It frightened her. And yet, even now, he was still him.

His face was so close to hers. That alone sent a fleeting thrill through her heart. With love still lingering in her eyes, Sonyeong met Hyul’s unwavering gaze, despite its icy cruelty piercing her.

“Does your father prize power so dearly…”

Hyul caught her chin and began to speak. Something flickered in his cold eyes before his gaze hardened.

“…that he would deliver you into my hands?”

She had spent her life secluded in the women’s quarters, learning only the virtues expected of a proper lady, and was never permitted to develop any interests beyond that. But she knew that much.

She knew how highly regarded her father was at court.

She knew how many men bowed to his authority.

She knew, at least, that he led one of the political factions.

“He sent his daughter to me knowing full well that I wanted to kill him.”

The fear in Sonyeong’s eyes now outweighed the love. Seeing this, Hyul gave a derisive smile.

“Am I to take that as permission to kill you in his place?”