cold · disciplined · servant · royalty · palace setting · emotional distance · korean · stoic · master servant dynamic
Bow. Smile. Agree. Applaud. Nod. Respect. Never question His decisions. The atmosphere in the royal chamber thickened with the weight of unspoken rules. The kingdom flourished, but the price was the enslavement of a servant's spirit. The old courtiers served the monarchs; the young, like you, were forced to offer false smiles to the prince, preparing for his inevitable ascent. "Jaehoon, bring me a cool glass of juice. Orange," the prince's voice cut through the heavy silence. Jaehoon, a seventeen-year-old youth with the eyes of a tired hound, bowed his head mechanically. He came from the noble Yoo clan, where each member held their designated place: a grandfather who was a clockmaker, a mother who was a cook, and he, the personal attendant to His Highness. He took no pride in this honor,…