Chapter 2
Yeon finally let out the breath she’d been holding. She couldn’t believe what she’d just heard.
Six years ago, the very man who had crushed her dream—her life’s goal—was none other than Beom.
As if that weren’t enough, he had all but exiled her overseas, and now he was telling her to go and achieve that same dream?
“I’m sorry… about back then.”
Beom’s gaze drifted back to that day, six years ago.
Six years ago, on the day of the college entrance exam.
After finishing her answer sheet review, Yeon stormed into Jibokjae.
She’d never been the type to walk meekly even on ordinary days, but that day her stride carried an unmistakable, almost overwhelming momentum.
“Please give me the chance to compete for the throne as well. Times have changed. It’s not as if the heavens will fall if a woman ascends the throne. How much longer are you going to cling to the principle of male primogeniture?”
When she thrust her answer sheet into his hands, Beom’s eyes flashed.
It was a perfect score.
A stark contrast to the crown prince, who had missed ten questions just a few years back.
Even if the exams’ difficulty differed, this was something people would compare for years to come.
“You told me to prove what made me special. This—this is my proof. I achieved this without any of the privileges that come with being born into the imperial family.”
From an early age, Yeon had refused the special tutoring and education reserved for royals, attending regular public elementary, middle, and high schools.
Of course, simply being born a princess and loved by the people without lifting a finger was a privilege in itself—but it was nothing compared to royals who wielded their power and status like weapons.
Even so, she had excelled in every field.
Compared to other royals who squandered expensive educations, or even the crown prince who was considered above average, Yeon was a prodigy.
Her conduct was impeccable, her personality bright, and her public popularity extremely high.
Yet she was never even considered in the succession talks—because she was a woman.
“You know there’s a serious issue with the crown prince.”
The crown prince, Lee Byeong, had a fatal flaw.
Yeon had been the first to notice something unusual about him as a child, and she had reported it to Beom.
But Beom had covered it up.
Yeon had justified his actions, telling herself it was because there would be no successor if the crown prince faltered.
That was when she decided she would become the successor—and worked to prove her worth.
Her efforts paid off. At some point, she had become more popular than the crown prince and stood out in multiple fields.
Some progressive groups even named her a future leader.
“If my brother becomes emperor, it’s not just the imperial family that’s in danger. What about the people of the Daehan Empire? Your Majesty—no, Father! You’ve always said the people must come first!”
Beom simply watched the princess, who spoke only truths, and listened in silence.
“It’s because you covered up the crown prince’s problem that we’ve come to this point. You have to take responsibility.”
“And your idea of taking responsibility is for me to put you on the throne?”
“Yes.”
Yeon’s answer was firm.
Looking at his bold, intelligent youngest daughter—so precious to him that he could put her in his eye without pain—Beom gave a bitter smile.
“I’ll decide for myself how to take responsibility. You… stop overthinking things. Go abroad, study, and live your life.”
It was an unspoken rule that royals completed their education in Korea up to university.
It symbolized trust in the Daehan Empire’s education system.
“You’re telling me to leave the country now? Is this your way of getting rid of me before I cause trouble?”
“Think what you like. I’ll hire an admissions consultant for you. Study whatever you want, in whatever country you like.”
“Your Majesty! Father!”
His words about sparing no support sounded to Yeon like an exile order.
And Beom’s true intentions were probably not far from that.
That was when she realized:
The imperial family would cover up the crown prince’s flaw at any cost and place him on the throne.
Protecting tradition was more important to them than the peace and well-being of the people.
It was the ugly face of the imperial family.
And to think… I actually trusted Father.
And so, in January of her twentieth year, Yeon left Korea—her dream crushed.
Now, back in Jibokjae in the present day, Beom said:
“You once said you wanted to be the first empress in our history. Then do it. But… you’ll have to achieve it on your own. As you know… there will be no one to help you.”
Enemies everywhere.
Beom’s bitter smile deepened.
He looked so worn out that something in Yeon’s chest ached.
She bit the inside of her cheek.
“Father, I’m not interested in the throne anymore. So stop worrying about a successor and focus on your health.”
Saying she had no regrets was a lie.
In fact, until she’d returned to Korea, she had planned to follow her heart.
But now that the stage was set before her, she hesitated.
At twenty-six, she had her own life and her own goals. Giving them up for a cause… didn’t feel as simple as it once had.
Still, Beom’s air of resignation hit her like a weight in her chest.
He looked perfectly healthy on the outside, yet here they were talking about succession.
It was better to focus on the present than the future.
“I have a doctor friend abroad who’s done extensive research on pancreatic cancer. I’ll handle my own life, so please—go get treated.”
“If I step away for treatment, the crown prince will take my place.”
“Of course. That’s exactly what you and the elders of the imperial family have always wanted. You don’t care about the crown prince’s character or abilities.”
Thinking of those elders, who had always treated her like nothing more than a pretty doll to display, made her brow furrow.
“What matters to them is whether there’s something dangling between the legs, isn’t it?”
Her frustration and resentment at his refusal to seek treatment made her words come out harsher than intended.
She sighed and shut her eyes tight.
“I’m sorry for what I just said. But still, please, Father—get treatment.”
Even at his beloved youngest daughter’s plea, Beom said nothing.
The heated air inside Jibokjae cooled somewhat, but the tension still lingered.
“Yeon… will you truly not do it?”
His voice was so low it was almost painful to hear.
She stiffened unconsciously.
Slowly, Beom lifted his eyelids to look at her.
His gaze was calm, like a still lake—but beneath it, something roiled.
Meeting his earnest eyes, Yeon’s own narrowed.
“Could it be that the crown prince…”
“Stop right there.”
Beom cut her off sharply.
“Just answer me this—will you become emperor?”
It was an unspoken demand for an immediate decision.
Yeon’s lower lip trembled.
Six years of joyful memories flashed before her eyes.
Traveling to conflict zones around the world to write articles had been anything but easy. But when her writing made someone’s life better, even a little, she had felt proud and happy.
Changing the world for the better, even by just one millimeter, with her pen—that had been her goal.
And she had been making steady progress toward it.
It was a life she had built with her own two hands, and she wanted to protect it.
Which meant she should leave Jibokjae immediately.
But… her feet wouldn’t move.
Because there was still something she needed to do here.
Something she had long yearned for—something she had buried deep in her heart for years.
“You might as well tell me to live in luxury as empress. Maybe list off the fortune I’d inherit, or your collection of cars, planes…”
Sensing a shift in her attitude, Beom replied lightly:
“If I’d done that, you’d already be halfway to Incheon Airport.”
“You… know me too well.”
Yeon placed one hand on her hip, rubbed her face with the other, and paced Jibokjae.
After a moment, she stopped and asked:
“What about weapons?”
“Hm…”
“You must have at least some weapons you can give me, right?”
There were many mountains she would have to cross to become emperor.
She’d have to overcome the opposition of the conservative royals, unseat the crown prince, and win the approval of the dowager empress Oh, who didn’t think highly of her.
Even Beom could not openly support her—he had to protect not just the Daehan Empire, but the imperial family’s stability.
Looking at his faint smile, she understood.
He wanted a quiet removal and a smooth succession.
“I’ll take your side three times—whenever you need it most.”
Her eyes widened.
She hadn’t expected him to help her at all.
That offer of aid, however limited, filled her with unexpected joy.
“Am I supposed to say thank you now?”
“No need for that. But I want you to say it clearly.”
He sounded almost anxious as he pressed her for an answer.
He had always been uneasy without certainty, and age hadn’t changed that.
Knowing this, Yeon gave him a faint smile—then her expression turned solemn.
In a voice deeper and lower than usual, she spoke each word with deliberate weight.
“I’ll do it.”
It wasn’t out of pity for a dying father.
She had been thinking about it, vaguely, since she was very young—
Why couldn’t a woman be emperor?
At some point, it had turned into a desire to try.
And after discovering the crown prince’s serious flaw, that vague desire had crystallized into a conviction: I must.
Perhaps it had been set in motion the day she threw a tantrum wanting to wear the same outfit as the crown prince at his investiture ceremony.
Or when she was introduced at a royal and government meeting with the prime minister and emperor present.
Maybe it had been her fate all along.
“I will become the first empress of the Daehan Empire.”
