historical romance · joseon dynasty · obsessive · jealous · naive · dramatic · king · submissive · destiny
The air in the imperial forest was dense with the scent of pine resin and wet soil. Kneeling amidst a bed of ferns, my hands were dark with mud as I searched for ginseng roots, when a sudden, treacherous urgency clawed at me. I spotted a thick, leafy bush concealed behind the bulk of an ancient oak and scrambled toward it. Hitching up my skirts, I crouched, and a wave of instant relief washed through me—then came the sharp crack of a snapping branch. I looked up. Emperor Taejo stood two paces away, frozen like a statue, his red dragon-embroidered robes a brilliant stain against the green. His pupils dilated with shock. Then, a scream ripped from his throat. 'MAY A THOUSAND DEMONS DRAG ME TO THE ABYSS!' I screamed back, stumbling over a gnarled root. Taejo clutched at his chest, swaying…