Being born into a noble family is a blessing to most. For you, it became a sentence.
When false accusations threaten to destroy your family, you’re forced into a dangerous decision: enter the royal palace as a concubine to prove your family’s loyalty and protect their name. But life behind palace walls is nothing like the noble life you knew. It’s a world ruled by secrets, schemes, and power plays—where trust is rare, and betrayal is everywhere.
As the child of a respected civil official, your fate was supposed to be different. Now, you’re caught in the middle of court politics, royal jealousy, and the lingering scandal left behind by your mother. The only way to survive is to play the game and win.
Will you rise through the ranks and gain the Emperor’s favour? Or will you lose yourself in the cruelty of palace life?
Your choices will decide your future, your family’s honour, and the legacy you leave behind.
Key Features
- Play as male or female, and shape how the world sees you—from your looks to your personality.
- Make choices that matter—every decision affects your future and your family’s fate.
- Explore life in the royal palace, filled with secrets, lies, and unexpected allies.
- Build or break relationships with other concubines, servants, nobles, and even the Emperor.
- Choose who you trust and who you love, romance the Emperor, a fellow concubine, a sharp maidservant, or a rising military officer.
- Balance duty and desire—stay loyal to your family, or chase your own path to power.
- Uncover the truth behind your family’s downfall and your mother’s scandal.
Romance Options
The Emperor
Yi Seung-hyeon
Age: 28
Title: His Majesty, Emperor of Goryeo
The current ruler of Goryeo and your political match. Yi Seung-hyeon became Emperor at just fifteen, after his older brother died and his sister disappeared. The official son of the Empress, he was never supposed to inherit the throne, but fate had other plans.
He’s tall (6’1") with a lean athletic build and pale skin, unreadable dark eyes, and straight black hair usually worn in a topknot.
At eighteen, he was married in a political alliance. The Empress still lives, but they have no children and no real relationship.
Romance Style: Political strangers to lovers. Power dynamics. Slow burn.
The Scandalous Noble
Xu Ae-ri
Age: 22
Title: Lady Xu Ae-ri
Daughter of a powerful noble and his infamous affair with a Chinese courtesan. Her father divorced his first wife to legitimise her, and she’s been the family scandal ever since. She has a few older half-siblings who can’t stand her, and one younger brother she’d burn the world for.
Ae-ri stands at 5’5, has striking auburn-brown hair, soft brown eyes, and a curvy figure she doesn’t bother hiding. She wears what she wants, flirts how she likes, and never apologises for it. Her laugh is loud, her opinions louder, and she knows exactly how to work a room.
She’s bold, beautiful, and completely unapologetic about her desires. No one tells Ae-ri what to do, not even you.
Romance Style: Friends to Lovers or Friends-with-benefits to Lovers
The Grumpy Horse Girl
Min Jun-ho
Age: 23
Title: Lady Min Jun-ho
The only daughter of a modest military household, Jun-ho was never meant to wield a blade, least of all better than the men around her. But she did. First in secret, then in open defiance. She’s been fighting for the right to exist on her own terms ever since.
She stands at 5’8", broad-shouldered, tanned from training, with storm-dark eyes and long black hair usually tied back in a warrior’s knot. She’s all sharp edges and blunt words. She doesn’t smile easily, doesn’t flirt, and absolutely does not swoon.
She has no patience for court games, but she has a quiet respect for those who prove themselves. Win her trust, and you’ll have a blade at your back—and maybe a hand in yours.
Romance Style: Enemies to Lovers or Grumpy-Sunshine
The Gentle Idiot
Nam Hye-jin
Age: 18
Title: Master Nam Hye-jin
The youngest son of a quiet minor noble house, Hye-jin is better known for his zither playing than his conversation. Raised under strict discipline and gentler expectations, he’s soft-spoken, overly polite, and always seems like he’s trying not to offend the air around him.
Hye-jin is 5’9", with smooth, straight black hair that falls just past his ears and large, light brown eyes that give him a constantly startled look. He’s lean, graceful, and always impeccably dressed, though often fidgeting with his sleeves or hair. He’s not particularly confident, but he tries his best. Around you, he trips over his words a little more.
He’s younger, bashful, and completely in over his head. The kind of person who’d rather write you a poem than confess outright and then burn it before you see.
Romance Style: Crush or Mutual Pining
The Maidservant
Yeon
Male
Female
Age: 18
Title: Yeon (No surname)
A servant without lineage, Yeon was born into service and raised within your mansion’s walls.
Yeon is 5’3", with a slender frame that always seems half a step from vanishing. They have ivory skin with some pink on their face, long pale hair often tied low at the nape, and soft, dark brown eyes that rarely show what they’re thinking. No matter how they dress, servant’s uniform or formal wear, they’re neat, poised, and almost painfully restrained.
They smile out of habit, not joy. They speak softly, serve without question, and always seem just a bit too polite.
Romance Style: Loyal Servant to Lovers / Obsession Disguised as Devotion / Soft Angst
Update Log
Monday: 23/06/25
- Revived this IF from the dead and release the prologue and Chaper 1, Part 1.
- Approximately: 35k words.
Friday: 27/06/25
- Broke my back and ruined my mental health finishing Chapter 1.
- Approximately: 35k words.
DEMO Approx 35k words
TUMBLR (terminated for some reason)
TUMBLR (New Main Account)
Inhale Exhale Hello, its me… again haha. This is like my 2nd if and I’d think that my writing has improved a lot.
I abandoned this IF like 2 years ago and just recently decided to try re-writing it so… enjoy. ig
hoping for more soon!