As I sat down, my breath felt heavy. My heart beat faster as memories from the past flooded in.


    Everyone I loved had died. What was there left for me to live for?


    Darkness crept in as I faded into it. I stared down at my lifeless body—and in that moment, I was swallowed by complete darkness.


    “Congratulations, Pyeha. Jungjeon Ma-Ma has delivered a healthy young Hyeon Daegun.”


    When I opened my eyes, a man stood before me in a royal Gonryongpo robe, smiling proudly as he looked down.


    “Why isn’t the baby crying?” asked the King.


    “Nothing is wrong, my King. The baby is healthy,” said the doctor.


    It was in that moment I realized—I had been reborn into the past.


    I tried to laugh, but instead, all that came out was a baby’s giggle.


    “Hey, the baby is laughing, my dear,” said the woman.


    “I wonder what’s going on inside that little mind,” said the King.


    I had been granted a new beginning. A new mother. A new father.


    And in this life, I would protect the ones I love—no matter what.


    “I will return soon, my dear Jungjeon. I must attend the court meeting,” said the King.


    He kissed the Queen on the forehead, then looked at me and gave me a soft kiss as well.


    He turned and left the room.


    “Guard the royal baby and the Queen,” he commanded before the doors shut.


    “Keep your eyes sharp. Report to me if anything happens.”


    A warmth came from my mother as her gentle, soft-spoken voice whispered:


    “Your name will be Jinseo.


    You will be thunder and mercy—a force that shakes the ground your enemies stand on,


    yet shields the innocent and the ones you love.”


    I responded with a happy baby noise.


    “You like the name I gave you, my dear little Jinseo?” she said, snuggling up to me.


    Her soft face touched mine, and she smelled like peach blossoms.


    “It’s time to feed you milk,” said my mother.


    Aaaah! Noooo! I’m not a baby! I’m a man! Get that thing away from me—


    My stomach growled.


    …I gave in and started drinking.


    “There, there, my little handsome Jinseo… my lovely boy,” she cooed.


    A voice called from outside the chamber door.


    “Ma-Ma, there are three children sent by the King to be royal and loyal servants to the newborn prince,” said the guard.


    “Let them in,” said my mother.


    The three entered together and bowed deeply.


    “Jungjeon Ma-Ma, we have been sent by Jeonha to present ourselves to the newborn prince,” they said in unison.


    Behind the white curtains, my mother’s voice answered,


    “What are your names?”


    “My name is Baekho,” said the first, his voice sharp and determined.


    “I am to be trained as Wangja Mama’s personal guard, Daebi Ma-ma.”


    “My name is Eunchae,” said the second, calm and composed.


    “I am a eunuch, trained to serve and protect Wangja Mama.”


    “My name is Sohwa,” said the third with a soft, quiet voice.


    “I am a maid. My duty is to serve Daebi Ma-ma and Wangja Mama.”


    With a seal of approval, I let out a loud, giggly baby noise.


    “Hee-hee!”


    “It looks like little Jinseo likes you all,” my mother said with a warm smile.


    These short limbs were troublesome, if you ask me.


    I couldn’t do anything adults could—I could only roll around, cry, poop, and pee.


    By the age of three, while my father was busy with court officials and my mother managed palace matters, I began secretly training my body.


    I lifted small weights—baby-sized ones, of course. I ran, stretched, and pushed myself every night.


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    Anything to become strong again.


    My three servants often watched me with confusion.


    By the age of five, I had grown more curious.


    I snuck out of the palace with Baekho, Eunchae, and Sohwa to see what the outside world was like.


    With a pouch full of coins, I walked the streets, helping the poor where I could.


    Baekho wore his usual serious look, while Eunchae and Sohwa had worried expressions glued to their faces.


    I knew they were afraid we’d get in trouble.


    Hehehe… I laughed to myself, amused.


    For the record, Baekho is the oldest, Eunchae the second, and Sohwa the youngest of the three.


    As I strolled around, I noticed a group of children playing nearby.


    Suddenly, the bushes rattled—a deep growl followed.


    A massive bear, not yet fully grown, lunged out from the brush, charging straight toward the children.


    “Let’s get out of here, my prince!” one of my servants shouted.


    Without a word, I snatched Baekho’s sword and gripped it tight.


    Summoning all my strength, I threw it like a spear.


    The blade pierced the bear’s skull.


    It let out a final, low growl and collapsed to the ground.


    The five children rushed toward me and dropped to their knees.


    “Wangja Mama!” they cried. “You have saved our lives—we will be forever grateful!”


    Behind me, my three servants stood frozen, mouths open, eyes twitching.


    It was as if they had never seen anyone slay a bear before.


    “It’s time for us to return to the palace, Agissi,” Baekho said, still in disbelief.


    “Okay,” I replied calmly.


    We snuck back into the palace as quietly as we could—but it didn’t matter.


    My mother caught me.


    That evening, I was properly lectured.


    “Jinseo, why did you go out without permission?” Eomeoni scolded me.


    “Do you know how worried I was?”


    I snuggled up to her with the cutest voice and expression I could muster.


    “Eomeoni, I just wanted to see what it’s like outside the palace… I want to help people…”


    My voice softened into a gentle, innocent plea as I leaned against her.


    Her angry expression shifted. She sighed… then grabbed my ear and tugged.


    “Are you trying to soften my heart, young man?”


    “Gaahhhh!” I let out a dramatic yelp of pain.


    Behind me, my three servants giggled as I was punished.


    Urgh… I’ll get my revenge on these three one day, I muttered in my thoughts.


    The morning sun rose over the palace.


    “Wangja Mama, your food has arrived,” Sohwa said.


    As I reached for the tray, Eunchae suddenly grabbed a spoon and started eating before I could touch it.


    His mouth full, he muttered,


    “The food is safe to eat.”


    I stared at the plate. Most of the food was already gone. Eunchae had eaten half of it.


    I sighed.


    “Hhhh…”


    “Wangja Mama,” Baekho said, stepping forward. “Jeonha has requested your presence.”


    I stood up and made my way toward my father’s chamber, my three servants trailing behind.


    My father greeted me with a soft gaze.


    “It’s time for you to begin attending royal classes,” he said.


    “I heard you snuck out of the palace.”


    I gave a quiet, guilty laugh.


    “Hee-hehe…”


    “Don’t make your mother worry again,” he said. “If you want to leave, ask her first.”


    “Yes, Nae Wangnim,” I replied respectfully.


    “Now go, and keep your servants with you at all times.”


    “Yes, Nae Wangnim,” I repeated.


    I hugged my father and took my leave.


    “I’ll be heading to my secret training ground,” I told my servants.


    “Are you doing those weird workouts again?” Eunchae asked.


    Baekho slapped the back of his head.


    “Do not question Agissi.”


    “Ouch!” Eunchae cried.


    Sohwa giggled.


    For the rest of the day, I trained, while my servants stood guard to make sure no one caught


    At age ten, my body felt strong—stronger than most grown men. I could do things others only dreamed of.


    Some even said I could crush coal into a diamond with my bare hands.


    It was my birthday. I had turned ten, and my loyal servants had grown alongside me.


    “Happy birthday, my dear boy Jinseo. I wish you a happy and long life,” said my mother with her soft voice.


    “Happy birthday,” said my father with warmth. “May your life be long and full of greatness.”


    “Happy birthday, Wangja Mama!” my three servants shouted in unison, bowing low.


    As I made my way back to my room, my gaze met with three palace maids standing in front of my mother’s quarters.


    My head throbbed with a familiar ache.


    Their faces… they looked just like the women I once loved.


    They bowed as our eyes met. I walked past them—but then stopped and turned back.


    I entered my mother’s room.


    “Eomeoni, who were the three maids outside your quarters?”


    “Hana, Yura, and Mirae,” she replied. “They’re training to be my personal maids.”


    Their names. Their faces.


    It was them.


    With a shy but firm voice, I said,


    “Eomeoni… I want them to be my maid.”


    She smiled gently.


    “I thought you might. I’ll send them to your quarters this evening.”


    I hugged her tightly.


    “Thank you, Eomeoni.”


    A wide smile spread across my face.


    That very evening, the three girls arrived.


    “Wangja Mama,” they greeted in unison.


    “Come in,” I replied.


    My three servants stood nearby, silently analyzing them.


    “Let’s go for a walk,” I told the maids.


    I took them to the flower fields—I knew they loved flowers.


    Hana loved roses. Yura loved daisies. Mirae loved orchids.


    I picked their favorite flowers and gently tucked them behind their ears. They blushed.


    “Thank you, Wangja Mama,” they whispered in unison.


    We played together in the fields, laughing and smiling.


    It was the happiest I had felt in a long time.


    On our way back, from about a hundred feet away, a wild elephant standing 20 foot came charging toward us.


    With calm and steady breath, I sharpened a massive wooden branch into a makeshift spear.


    As the elephant charged closer, I took aim—then hurled it with all my might.


    The wooden spear pierced through the elephant’s skull. It collapsed instantly.


    My servants and the three maids stood frozen in awe.


    Their faces said it all.


    Death couldn''t keep me.


    Fate bent to grief. and in this life... I will rise.


    As thunder to my enemies.


    As Jinseo -- the name they will never


    forget.