I became the mother of the obsessive male protagonist in the novel.

03. A Wounded Apple

Taehyung was frantically working on his work. Next to him, Jeongguk was handling the affairs of the Crown Princess, who had left home. They were both busy.

김태형

What about the child?

전정국

Don't worry, Hoseok hyung is taking care of you.

Taehyung nodded and resumed his work, then paused for a moment. He wanted to ask Ji-an about her—where she was now, if she'd come back, and so on—but he held back. He knew she'd probably bring divorce papers when she did.

Just then, the door slammed open and Hoseok came in. Taehyung saw Hoseok and jumped to his feet.

김태형

What about Jaehwan? Did something happen to Jaehwan?

정호석

Oh, no... that's not it...

Hoseok hesitated for a moment, then opened his mouth after observing the situation.

정호석

Vision has returned...

정호석

With His Majesty now...

Before Hoseok could finish speaking, Taehyung ran to where the child was.

김재환

Oh... Mother!!!

I went outside for a quick change of pace and ran into a child. The moment she saw me, she came running. I couldn't bring myself to hug her, so I turned my head away from her tearful face as she clutched the hem of my dress.

Not wanting to lose heart, I yanked the dress back, and the shock sent the child falling. I reached out, but the child immediately got up and lowered his head, looking as if he was about to cry.

김재환

Sorry, I'm sorry, Young-ae...

A red, bloody spot appeared on his hand, and soon blood flowed from his tiny hand, but the child's expression seemed to stem not from an external wound, but from an internal one. It was a heartbreaking encounter.

In truth, I really wanted to hug her and apologize, but I couldn't. This was a novel, and if I intervened, this child's fate would change, so it was my duty to remain silent and turn a blind eye.

A duty to become one.

박지안

'Will this life be a little different?'

After I finished reminiscing, I took a deep breath. Then I knocked on the door and entered the room.

박지안

...Mom

As they entered the room, Jaehwan and his escort, Hoseok, who was with them, couldn't hide their bewildered expressions. Jaehwan quickly scrambled to his feet and bowed his head in greeting.

김재환

Oh, you're here?

I ran and hugged Jaehwan tightly.

A child born in a womb that has shrunk due to pregnancy rejection, without any fetal movement, who has been treated with indifference rather than blessing, a child who has lived quietly knowing that his mother does not love him.

박지안

I'm sorry, baby... I'm sorry...

If I had known, no, I already knew. If I had known, I shouldn't have acted this way. I should have loved this child too. This small, delicate child.

Hoseok, taken aback by my actions, pushed me away from Jaehwan. He did it so ignorantly that I fell backwards on the spot.

김재환

mother!!

Jaehwan ran towards me, and Hoseok froze in place. He seemed flustered, but his expression was thick with hatred directed at me. Of course, that was to be expected.

박지안

I, I'm okay

She was so small, so delicate, so dignified. Smaller than I remembered, even smaller than the last time she'd held the hem of my dress. More delicate.

Look at the sad expression on the child's face as his mother, who had been ignoring him, falls.

김재환

How are you?

The hand that stroked me with its rough hands was so gentle that tears welled up in my eyes. I wasn't even this child's mother, but I cried. It was as if I were Park Ji-an.

박지안

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, baby...

Yeah, these were the first things I should have done.

The child's cries echoed through the palace. No one in the palace expected the birth, and everyone looked bewildered. But the most incredulous of all was Park Ji-an herself. - From the original novel