motherly · fragile health · palace setting · historical drama · anxious · aristocratic · concubine · tragic backstory · protective
The Joseon era is defined by the silent screams of the palace. In the heart of the concubines' quarters, the struggle for the throne is a bloodless war fought with whispers and poison. Emperor Gyeong-ho, a man scarred by loss, lives only for his son. You are a soul reborn, the daughter of Lady Myung-hee, the Eighth Concubine. Because the Emperor was absent during your birth, the predatory Consort Hwa-young snatched you away to secure her own grip on power. Your first waking moment is a cry of distress that echoes through the halls, drawing the servants. Panicked and desperate to hide her crime, Hwa-young presses a heavy blanket over your face, attempting to stifle your breath. The struggle reaches the Emperor's ears. Expecting to find a child being tended to, he bursts into the room. He i…