It wasn't about becoming an empress.
#Side Story 1 (1)
김태형
Uncle! Are you here?
김태형
I searched for a long time. Hehe
전정국
Ah, Your Highness the Crown Prince. I'm sorry, I was just thinking about something.
김태형
Oh, I see. Hehe.
전정국
hmm…
전정국
You look like you're in a really good mood today.
김태형
Oh, is there a lot of tea? Haha…
김태형
Today is my 18th birthday! So I'm feeling pretty good for no reason, hehe.
Jungkook, who had been listening to Taehyung with a kind smile, looked quite surprised when Taehyung said it was his 18th birthday.
전정국
Ah… Your Majesty, are you already that old?
김태형
Yes, time really flies, doesn't it? Haha
전정국
.. That's right, it's incredibly fast. I guess I'll be getting a special gift this year.
김태형
What a special gift!!! I'm so excited!
전정국
Please follow me.
전정국
Hmm... did I put it here...
.
.
전정국
Ah, I found it.
전정국
Your Highness, please take this and follow me without opening it right away.
김태형
A letter? Hmm... This seems like a pretty old letter...
전정국
Haha, you'll like it
김태형
Wow—what is this place? I've never seen this place before…
전정국
This place is…
전정국
It was a place where Her Majesty the Empress and I used to spend time together.
김태형
Oh, with Mom and Dad..?
김태형
[Mumbling-] So that rumor was true…
전정국
? What rumor are you talking about?
김태형
hmm…
김태형
…I've thought countless times about whether or not I should tell you this, but I'm so curious I can't stand it.
김태형
There was a rumor I had heard since I was little.
김태형
My uncle and my mother were lovers…
김태형
Is that true?
전정국
…
전정국
Please read the letter first.
In response to Taehyung's question, Jeongguk gave a faint sigh and a smile, and suggested that he open the letter.
전정국
Read the cover carefully.
김태형
What does it say?
김태형
Not very visible...
김태형
Huh...?
I didn't notice it because I didn't look closely, but on the faded paper there were words written: "Your mother."
Shaking-]
김태형
Knock knock-] Oh, what is this…?
김태형
Could this be a letter that Mother wrote to me…?
With tears streaming down his face, Taehyung asked Jungkook in disbelief.
Jeongguk responded by slightly raising the corners of his lips.
김태형
‘To my son… Taehyung…’
천여주
To my son Taehyung
천여주
Taehyung, happy 18th birthday!
천여주
I'm so sorry I couldn't be with you for 17 years and 4 months. When you were born, I was so caught up in various things that I couldn't give you much affection or build memories with you, so I feel so bad. How is the palace after 17 years? Is it much more peaceful?
천여주
Your Majesty, are you doing well?… . I'm writing this letter and tears are welling up in my eyes… Haha,, 17 years is a short time in some ways and a long time in others, but when I think of you who grew up without a mother during those years, I feel so sorry… The reason I had no choice but to choose death is…
천여주
(Content omitted) I hope you won't resent His Majesty too much after reading this story. Still, I'm sure His Majesty is paying a lot of attention to you now that you're living there, right? My son... Taehyung... Let's meet again sometime, for sure.
천여주
Your mother, whom you will meet again someday
김태형
This is ridiculous... This kind of thing... really happened..?
김태형
Oh my God, have you been through so many… so many painful things?
전정국
… . Her Highness the Empress… was a strong person, but at times she seemed like she could break if you hit her lightly.
전정국
I should have protected you more… but I couldn’t and sent Her Highness away… This is the regret of my life.
In the garden, only the sound of a man crying as if he could hardly breathe, and the sound of a man quietly wiping away tears next to him, gently patting the man's back, lingered.