Episode 2
Yeon finally let out the breath she was holding. She couldn’t believe what she had just heard.
Six years ago, it was Beom who crushed her dream and goal.
Not only that—he had practically exiled her overseas. And now he was telling her to make her dream come true?
“I’m sorry for back then,” Beom said, remembering that day six years ago.
Six years ago — College Entrance Exam Day
After finishing her answer sheet review, Yeon stormed into Jibokjae Palace.
She was never the quiet type, but that day she was unstoppable.
“Please give me a chance to compete for the throne. Times have changed. A woman becoming ruler won’t cause the sky to fall. How long will you keep the male-only succession rule?”
Beom’s eyes widened when he saw her score sheet.
It was a perfect score—far better than the crown prince, who had gotten ten questions wrong a few years earlier.
Even if the exams were different, people would still compare them for years to come.
“You told me to prove what made me special. This is it. I gave up all the privileges of being royalty, went to regular schools like everyone else, and I achieved this.”
Yeon had refused private tutoring for royals and attended normal elementary, middle, and high schools.
She was still privileged by birth, but unlike royals who flaunted their power, she excelled through her own effort.
She outshined other royals, even the crown prince, in every field. She was bright, well-behaved, and very popular with the public.
But she was never considered for succession—simply because she was a woman.
“You know there’s something wrong with the Crown Prince.”
The crown prince, Yi Byeong, had a serious flaw. Yeon had noticed it first as a child and told Beom.
But Beom covered it up, saying there was no other successor if the prince failed.
So Yeon decided she would be the next heir and worked hard to prove herself.
Her popularity soon surpassed the prince’s, and some reform groups even named her a future leader.
“If my brother becomes emperor, it’s not just the royal family at risk—it’s the people of the Korean Empire. Father, you always said the people come first!”
Beom listened quietly.
“You hid the crown prince’s flaw and now it’s come to this. You need to take responsibility.”
“And you think the way to take responsibility is to put you on the throne?”
“Yes.”
Beom smiled bitterly.
“I’ll decide how to take responsibility. You should study abroad and live your own life.”
It was tradition for royals to study only in Korea—to show trust in the empire’s education system.
“Are you sending me away because you think I’ll cause trouble?”
“Think what you want. I’ll hire the best consultants. You can study anywhere you like.”
To Yeon, it sounded like exile. And it probably was.
That’s when she realized—the royal family would do anything to hide the prince’s problem and put him on the throne.
It was the ugly truth of the monarchy.
I still trusted my father, though…
In January, at age 20, Yeon left Korea.
Back to the present — Jibokjae Palace
Beom said:
“You once said you wanted to be the first Empress. Do it—on your own. You know there’s no one to help you.”
Enemies were everywhere.
He looked tired, and Yeon’s heart ached.
“Father, I’m not interested in the throne anymore. Don’t worry about succession—just take care of your health.”
It wasn’t entirely true. She still had feelings about it. But now, at 26, she had her own life and goals.
Still, seeing her father so resigned hurt her.
“I have a friend overseas who’s an expert in pancreatic cancer. I’ll live my life my way—please get treated.”
“If I leave for treatment, the crown prince will take my place.”
“That’s exactly what you and the elders wanted. You don’t care about his character or abilities.”
She thought of the royal elders who treated her like a doll to be shown off.
“All that matters to them is whether there’s a man between your legs.”
Frustrated with her father’s refusal, she blurted it out.
Then she sighed.
“Sorry for what I said. But please, get treatment.”
Beom said nothing. The air was tense.
“Yeon, won’t you do it?”
His voice was low, almost desperate.
Yeon tensed. His eyes looked calm but were filled with something deeper.
“Does the Crown Prince…?”
“Stop right there. Just answer me—will you be emperor?”
He wanted her answer now.
Her lips trembled.
For the past six years, she had been traveling to conflict zones as a journalist. It was dangerous, but seeing her articles improve lives made her proud.
That was her dream—to use her pen to make the world just a little better.
She wanted to protect the life she had built.
But there was still something left undone here in Korea—something she had buried deep for years.
“Why not just tell me to enjoy life as emperor? You could’ve listed my inheritance, cars, and planes.”
“If I did that, you’d already be on a flight out of Incheon.”
“You know me too well, Father.”
She paced the room, then stopped.
“Weapons?”
“Hmm…”
“You must have something to give me.”
To become emperor, she’d have to overcome many obstacles: the elders, the crown prince, even the disapproving empress dowager.
And Beom couldn’t openly help her—he needed a quiet, smooth succession to protect the royal family.
“When the time comes, I’ll help you three times.”
Yeon’s eyes widened. She hadn’t expected any help, so his words were a pleasant surprise.
“Should I thank you?”
“No need. Just give me a clear answer.”
He was impatient for certainty—he always had been.
Yeon smiled faintly, then grew serious.
“I’ll do it.”
It wasn’t pity for her dying father.
From a young age, she had wondered why women couldn’t be emperor. That curiosity became a sense of duty when she learned of the crown prince’s flaw.
Maybe it had been her fate all along.
“I’ll be the first Empress of the Korean Empire.”
