The liberation leader glanced up at the clear blue skies, thankful to make it out alive. A light tap on her shoulder startled the young woman as she jumped, twirling around only to find Dae-hyun frowning down at her.

“... Well, come on. Didn’t you say that you want to talk to His Majesty? Actually, let’s get you changed first… Ha…”

Hae-eun glanced down at herself and nodded. She was in a cotton nightgown that came down to her ankles. It was a bit awkward to go greet the emperor in her current outfit.

After a brief stop at the royal tailor shop, the freedom fighter found herself plodding down the modernized palace grounds. The layout was slightly altered from what she had been used to, but… Nonetheless, it was quite elegant and magnificent.

She gazed at the Throne Hall, stopping, as she remembered the first time she had been brought to the palace by Woon. His joyful expression as he announced his engagement to her lingered in Hae-eun’s mind. Her heart swelled with overwhelming sadness… What had happened between them that he had abandoned her in that prison…?

Hae-eun clenched her fists as she hastily turned away as tears threatened to spill over. Nothing was confirmed— she would just need to proceed with caution for now...

~~~

“Your Majesty, I have brought her back.”

Hyuk glanced up from his pile of documents as his gold-rimmed glasses sparkled against the brightness of the room. He sighed as he took them off before nodding to Hae-eun to come closer.

Dae-hyun leaned down to Hae-eun’s ear, whispering, “You remember the curtsy I taught you?” She nodded as she slowly made her way towards the emperor.

“... May the star of the Korean Empire bless upon you, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm. It seems you finally learned some etiquette. Sit.”

Hae-eun hesitantly sat in front of Hyuk, unsure of what would transpire during their meeting. She couldn’t bear to look at the emperor’s face. He reminded her so much of Woon. How could one be so similar in resemblance to their ancestor? Was that even possible?

The freedom fighter bit her lip as she fidgeted with her hands, trying her best to keep a straight face.

The pair sat in silence as Dae-hyun, the Captain of the Royal Guards, awkwardly walked off to the side of the room. He would rather be at the training grounds instead of witnessing such a tense exchange.

“I hear you have no recollection of your memories prior to your abduction by the Right State Councilor?”

“... Your Majesty, I have a favor I must ask of you.”

“Hmm. A favor? I’m intrigued, what is this favor that you must ask of me?”

“Please allow me to work in this palace! I will do anything if you will allow me to stay in this palace. Please… I beg of you—”

“Why?”

“Pardon?”

“Why do you wish to stay within my palace?” Hyuk gazed at his beloved with soft, contemplative eyes.

“I… I need to find something of mine. But I need your protection in order to find it…”

Hae-eun knew that her explanation made no sense. However, she couldn’t very well tell him it was because she had to find information about her fiancé from 100 years ago!

“... Why should I allow an assassin to work in my home? How do you expect me to trust you?” His demeanor changed instantly as his cold, grey eyes chilled her to the bone.

“I— An assassin?!” Hae-eun was at a loss. She had completely forgotten about her little stunt from yesterday. Her eyes darted back and forth, trying to come up with anything on the spot.

Hyuk chuckled to himself as he watched her struggle to come up with a way for him to trust her. He found it fascinating that she had the gall to request something of him after her treasonous acts to assassinate the emperor. She really was the Hae-eun he loved and remembered.

He wanted to desperately reach out and caress her long, sparkling, onyx-like hair. The emperor dug his nails into his palms as he forced an amused grin on his face.

“Fine. I will allow you entry to the palace… However, you must show your loyalty to me before I can trust you to stay within the palace’s walls.”

“A-anything! I’ll do anything, just say the word!”

“Pfft. Hahaha. My, how eager you are. Well…” the emperor said with a slight, crooked smile. “I want you to become the next empress of the Korean Empire.”

**NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.**