Standing Upon a Black Shadow

“My one and only love, the sole woman in my heart. I love you.” King Galmun Yu was once the son of the Crown Prince. After losing his parents at the hands of the current emperor, he has lived for one purpose alone: to await the day he can take his revenge. One day, he heads to a pleasure house to stop the emperor from eliminating the few loyal men he has left. There, by chance, he rescues Taeju, who is about to be sold as a courtesan. Since she has nowhere else to go, he allows her to remain by his side for the time being. Yet Taeju is a pure and innocent woman, untouched by the corruption of the world—far too precious for a man like him, whose life has known nothing but bloodshed. As his feelings for her deepen, he forces himself to ignore them and sends her away. He regrets it almost immediately. He should never have let her go like that. Then, when he believes he will never see her again, he encounters her inside the imperial palace. Why she is there no longer matters. As he cups her smooth cheek and presses his lips to hers, the kiss burns hot and feels more intoxicating than anything he has ever known. “I always knew I could not remain by your side forever, my lord. That was never where I belonged.” “You can no longer leave me. I will not allow it.” How could he possibly let go of the small, lovely butterfly that had flown to him for the very first time? “You are mine.”