Episode 1
From Princess to Tribute Woman
Danseol had been transported for several days in a freight cart before being dragged somewhere unfamiliar.
“Where on earth am I?”
When the cloth covering her eyes was removed, Danseol turned her head to survey her surroundings. The high, expansive ceiling was adorned with gold, exuding an indescribable opulence. Ornate doors and exquisite decorative ceramics — everything was of the finest quality.
“So this is the tribute woman sent by General Cheongyeon.”
“Your Majesty the Grand Empress Dowager!”
To Danseol’s disbelief, she found herself before someone of staggering stature — the Grand Empress Dowager of Hwangseon Empire. The Grand Empress Dowager examined Danseol thoroughly.
Her small, pale face resembled a full moon in the midnight sky, and her sleek, black hair mirrored a night sky embracing the moon. Her dark eyes were deep like an abyss, yet crystal clear.
Despite wearing nothing to enhance her beauty, Danseol’s appearance could not be hidden. Rather, like a wildflower blooming on a cliff, she held a subtle allure that drew people’s gaze.
“With looks like this, even if His Majesty sees women as nothing but stones, he won’t be able to resist.”
Hearing the pleased chuckle from above, Danseol swallowed dryly.
“By His Majesty… could she mean… the Emperor of Hwangseon?”
The current Emperor of Hwangseon — Yi Gyeom — was ruthlessly conquering neighboring countries. Danseol’s homeland, Seolhwa, had recently fallen victim to his conquest.
“Still, to offer a low-born tribute woman to His Majesty is…”
“This isn’t the time to fuss over hot or cold rice. Status can be made up.”
At present, Hwangseon had no heir. The Emperor refused to even approach the Empress, so there was no chance of producing a child.
“The Empress is supposed to be heaven’s chosen mate. How could this be?”
There was an ancient tradition in the imperial family of Hwangseon — Heaven was said to designate the Emperor’s true consort. As proof, a matching mark would appear on both the Emperor and his destined mate. The Emperor’s mark appeared when he ascended the throne, and each Emperor’s symbol was unique.
Though this mysterious phenomenon was considered a divine sign that the Emperor was a descendant of the heavens, no Emperor had ever married the woman with the matching symbol. They dismissed it as mere myth.
It was believed that if the Emperor married his heavenly-appointed consort, the nation would flourish in an era of peace and prosperity — but that too was treated as fantasy.
Over time, even the imperial family stopped paying attention to it.
Until eight years ago, when a woman bearing the mark did appear.
That woman was Empress Cheon Ihwa.
“But it’s all very strange.”
Contrary to legend, Hwangseon did not enter an age of peace.
On the contrary, the relationship between the Emperor and Empress was disastrous. With no heirs in sight, the Grand Empress Dowager grew desperate and tried to bring in noble-born women as concubines — to no avail. The Emperor showed no interest in women. Not even the palace maids were allowed to touch him; only eunuchs served him directly.
Eventually, any beautiful woman, regardless of background, was brought in as a tribute to try and entice the Emperor.
“Prepare her for tonight.”
“Does that mean…”
“Yes. She shall be presented to His Majesty tonight.”
At the shocking command, memories of a few days ago flashed through Danseol’s mind.
Flashback
Danseol rolled up her wide silk sleeves embroidered with gold thread and squeezed pus from the injured leg of a soldier.
“…Ugh.”
“It’s almost done. Hang in there.”
Her refined and delicate appearance contrasted with her swift, practiced hands. Despite her noble demeanor, she handled the wound with skill.
“Princess!”
A young woman dressed in a jade blouse and violet skirt came running toward her — it was Choa, Danseol’s maid from the kingdom of Seolhwa.
Seolhwa, a small kingdom in the snowy north of the continent, was known for its breathtaking snow blossoms each winter. That was Danseol’s homeland.
The kingdom was now under attack by Hwangseon. Instead of hiding, Princess Danseol chose to tend to the wounded soldiers — because without her people, Seolhwa could not exist, and without Seolhwa, neither could she.
“The capital has fallen to Hwangseon’s surprise attack!”
“The capital has fallen?!”
A murmur of panic spread at her shout.
“But Seolhwa already expressed surrender to Hwangseon!”
Indeed, they had. Knowing resistance would only bring ruin and mass slaughter, the king of Seolhwa had chosen to surrender for the sake of his people.
But Hwangseon ignored the surrender and launched a surprise attack, taking the capital.
“I don’t know the details, but… His Majesty and the Queen…”
Choa trailed off. Danseol grabbed her by the shoulders, urgent.
“Speak quickly! What happened to Father and Mother?!”
“…In front of the people… they were beheaded.”
“Princess!”
Danseol collapsed to her knees, tears falling on her pale cheeks. In an instant, she had lost her parents, her homeland, and her entire world.
“You must escape before Hwangseon’s soldiers arrive!”
“I can’t leave everyone behind!”
Danseol looked at the familiar faces and injured soldiers.
“Please, live on and one day avenge today’s humiliation with the Crown Prince. This is the only way to serve Seolhwa and its people.”
Moved by the plea, Danseol changed into commoner clothes. Her once-elegant robes were replaced by muted colors, deepening the sorrow in her heart.
“What are you doing?”
Choa picked up Danseol’s fallen clothing.
“I’ll pretend to be you and buy time. Go!”
“Choa!”
Despite Danseol’s desperate cries, Choa pushed her away — that was the last Danseol saw of her.
Danseol stumbled through the mountain path, panting. She had to live — for vengeance.
“Who’s there?!”
Two Hwangseon soldiers emerged from the brush.
“Just a civilian, huh? Thought it was an ambush.”
“They say Seolhwa women are beautiful. Looks like it’s true.”
Their gaze quickly turned lecherous.
“We’re innocent travelers. Please let us go.”
The soldiers sneered.
“You could be spies for the Seolhwa remnants. Can’t let you go. Might as well have some fun while we’re at it.”
“How dare you speak so carelessly!”
Danseol’s bodyguard drew his sword.
“Guess I’ll kill you first and then take her.”
Srrng.
Swords clashed.
“Run, now!”
Her guard shouted, and Danseol took off — only to be caught again.
“Trying to run, little rat?”
“Let go of me!”
Dragged by her hair, Danseol saw her guard’s lifeless body nearby.
“I’ll take her first. You keep watch.”
The soldier undid his belt. Danseol, trembling, stepped back.
“Don’t… don’t touch me!”
“What do you think you’re doing!”
A powerful voice boomed as a towering man in armor stepped from the trees — a General of Hwangseon.
“Didn’t I order no harm to civilians? You’re violating strict military law.”
“I-It’s not what it looks like…”
“Save the excuses for the afterlife.”
“General…!”
With just one look, the two soldiers were dragged away.
“Bind that woman and bring her. The Grand Empress Dowager seeks a beautiful girl — we’ll take her to Hwangseon.”
The general gave Danseol’s elegant face a brief glance.
“W-What are you saying?! Let me go!”
Despite her cries, the soldiers tied her up. She struggled, but it was no use.
“Who knows. If she’s pretty enough, I might get a reward.”
And thus, the princess of Seolhwa — Danseol — became a tribute woman and was taken to the empire of Hwangseon.
Here we go!