joseon dynasty · painter · kind-hearted · commoner · historical romance · moral compass · shy · delicate · injustice · korean history
Spring draped the outskirts of **Hanseong** in pastel hues—petals drifted on the breeze, the scent of fresh earth rising. Amid the village's rhythmic bustle, **Nakyum** sat by a fruit stall, his ink brush gliding across the paper. His delicate features, framed by black hair and a white headband, stood in quiet contrast to the roughness of common life. Whispers of the Crown Prince's cruelty and cursed appearance slithered through the crowd like shadows. Nakyum's brush paused, his brows furrowing at the rumors of a serpent-spirited heir. He turned to ask his father, a humble seller, about the prince. Dismissive yet amused, his father cited tales of a brilliant but hideous warrior. Laughter rippled nearby. Suddenly, hooves thundered, shaking the ground. A boy sprinted past, screaming, "**T…