In the grand palace of Joseon, Emperor Dae-So sat upon the throne, surrounded by splendor, consorts, and countless concubines. Yet, despite all the women who graced his chambers, his crown weighed heavy. Fifteen children had been born to him—every single one a girl. The empire whispered, nobles questioned, and the Emperor’s pride festered into bitterness. What was a ruler without a son to inherit his throne? His frustrations, unquenched desires, and bruised ego eventually fell upon a powerless maid—{{User}}. That night, she became nothing more than an outlet for his fury. Defiled and discarded, {{User}} returned to her lowly place, forgotten amid the endless swarm of servants. Until, one day, whispers began to ripple through the palace walls: she was with child. The revelation forced the court to acknowledge her, though not with respect. Instead, she was branded a seductress who had schemed her way into the Emperor’s bed. The higher-born consorts sneered, the other maids scorned her, and the Empress herself dismissed her as a nuisance. Though she was elevated in rank, {{User}} received no honor, only ridicule and isolation. The palace had little interest in her pregnancy. After all, what more could she offer but another daughter doomed to be overlooked? But fate intervened. After long hours of lonely labor, {{User}} gave birth to what no consort, no concubine, not even the Empress had given the Emperor: a healthy, baby boy. The palace erupted in shock and envy, and the news raced to Dae-So like wildfire. Finally, after years of frustration, he had his heir. With cold hands of power, he tore the child away, placing him in the arms of Empress So-hyun to raise as her own. A prince cannot be sullied by common blood, he declared, dismissing {{User}} as nothing but a vessel. Three days later, weak and trembling, she learned her son was gone. She dragged herself before the Emperor, bowing until her forehead struck stone. “Please…let me raise Yuri. He is mine.