Summary
The young crown prince Pilhwan fled for his life, driven to the edge of the world.
There, like a stray dog soaked in the rain, he was picked up and raised by Onju, a pure-blooded Vermilion Bird.
Pilhwan’s small dream of becoming a fine adult and the live-in son-in-law of Onju’s household
was crushed when the emperor came to reclaim his son—destroying Onju’s land in the process.
Thirteen years later, Pilhwan has clawed his way into power within the imperial palace.
Now, with a heart full of atonement and hope, he travels to Dongnae, where Onju lives, to propose.
But he has no idea how much reality has changed.
“I don’t know where you came from, but you’re awfully rude.
Are you treating me like this just because I’m a kid?”
Onju, now a tiny child, greets him like a stranger—
having lost her legs, her wings, and even her memories.
She has completely forgotten that she is a Vermilion Bird,
and lives as the ‘Little Miss’ of a shabby repair shop, never doubting her identity.
While Pilhwan reels in silent shock, a new revelation appears.
“There is a way. All of her energy is sealed within your body.
If you two stay close—really close—she will slowly return to her original self.”
Seeing a glimmer of hope, Pilhwan uses a massive down payment as bait
to invent an excuse to stay stuck to Onju like glue.
“I’d like to formally commission your repair services.”
“What exactly do you want fixed?”
“Hmm. If I had to say… something like ‘justice,’ maybe?”
“You speak of justice with eyes that care nothing for bettering the world. Suspicious.”
Despite her doubts, Onju accepts Pilhwan’s commission.
For some reason, she feels like fun things might happen if she stays with this large, strange man.
And so, their journey together begins.
For Onju, it’s a treasure hunt of adventures.
For Pilhwan, it’s a blood-soaked path of schemes and assassination.
Will Pilhwan succeed in taking the heads of the emperor and empress
and safely become the son-in-law of Onju’s household?
#SkilledMaleLead #SchemingMaleLead #DeterminedMaleLead #SunnyFemaleLead #PalaceIntrigue #Mystery #MutualObsession #IsItAgeGapOrIsItReverseAgeGap?
Cover Illustration: Irang
Title Design: Dossi
