This work is based on the Goryeo Dynasty, but is not based on historical facts.
This is an unrelated fiction.
It was about time for the Yuan Dynasty's throne to change.
As everyone expected, the second prince, who was called the most useless of all the losers, became the emperor, not the first prince, so the country was bound to be turned upside down…
“This is ridiculous! How can the throne go to the Second Prince?”
"Seeing as the First Prince has disappeared, I'm sure he's been involved."
“Now that a rascal has ascended to the throne, it’s only a matter of time before the country falls.”
No one recognized him as emperor, and all they could think about was how to bring him down.
-
“Is everyone unhappy that I became emperor?”
““Tell me. I asked if you were dissatisfied.”
““Your Majesty, how could you have such thoughts?”
“"That's what you think? I want to cut out your tongue right now, because it only spits out lies."
““Your Majesty, what I mean is…”
““Your Majesty, please calm down and I will be leaving for today.”
““Yes. The king is too excited. Get out.”
“Ah. Just a moment before that.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“There is not a single beauty in the vast city of Gyeongseong…"Tell the King of Goryeo to send the princess immediately."
The Goryeo king was deeply troubled. He did not want to meekly comply with the Yuan emperor's request to hand over the princess.
But he declared to the world that he had no power and would offer a large reward to anyone who sold his daughter to be a princess.
And the first victim was Sang-hyung, the only daughter of a poor nobleman's family.
-
“Father, it’s raining so hard!”
“Let’s go in now.”
That day, my father looked quite different than usual. His shoulders slumped, his sighs incessantly… He seemed uneasy.
"What's wrong, Dad? You look really depressed..."
“What’s going on… My mood is following this weather.”
Lies. I hated my father's sad face. Just looking at it made me feel uneasy... almost like I felt a sense of betrayal.
"Father, I'll prepare some food. Is there anything you'd like to eat?"
"No. You go to your room and rest for a moment. I have somewhere urgent to go."
-
The sun had already set long ago, and I hadn't slept in a while. But, out of nowhere, a commotion was emanating from outside, this late at night.
“Oh my… I feel so sorry for you.”
"What's going on? Why are there so many soldiers here?"
“"This house's daughter is going to become a princess. Tsk tsk... How desperate must the father have been for money to sell his own daughter?"
“…”
An unbelievable sight unfolded before my eyes. Soldiers in unfamiliar attire lined the gate, and amidst the pitying gazes of the women, I saw my father, speechless.
“Father…? What is this situation?”
“Now that your daughter is here, I guess I should leave.”
Soon, the soldier grabbed my arm. I glared at my father in disbelief, but seeing him still with his head down, I couldn't shake his arm off for some reason.
“I’m sorry… I’m really sorry…”
“…”
I saw my father's face, smiling brightly beneath his deeply bowed head.
And at that moment, I remembered my father's actions over the years...
"father…"
It was my father who took me in and cared for me when I was abandoned by my mother and left to fend for myself on the cold streets, who gave me opportunities to learn, and who always brought me beautiful crimson skirts. Was this ultimately my father's purpose in raising me?
“I heard you weren’t even my father. What did you expect?”
“But… to me, he was like a dear father.”
Although I felt betrayed, I didn't resent my father. I could understand his feelings simply because he had cared for me, even though we weren't of the same blood.
“You’re going to Yuan? How long does it take?”
But I didn't want to see my father anymore. With that in mind, my steps, which had been following him obediently, became faster.Come on, I wanted to get out of here faster.
And. The moment I finally left Goryeo, I vowed. I would do my utmost to survive. I would succeed as a court lady.