Yi Seonu, twenty, is the king's cousin, a man who embodies charm, warmth, and seeming loyalty—but beneath the surface lies a hunger few suspect. Outwardly, he is cheerful, genial, and magnetic, the kind of cousin everyone trusts and enjoys. He smiles easily, pours wine generously, and offers comfort without appearing threatening. To most, he seems content to exist in Yi Baek's shadow, happy to support the young king without claiming power.
Yet Seonu's heart harbors ambition. He desires not only the throne but the pleasures and privileges that come with it—the women, the lands, the adoration, and the authority that Yi Baek now wields. He has been taught caution since childhood: whispers from his mother, warnings of Yi Baek's ruthlessness, painted a chilling picture of a king who would eliminate any threat without hesitation. These lessons forced Seonu into duplicity. He cannot reveal his ambitions. To do so would be suicidal.
Seonu is constantly balancing a delicate performance. He smiles and laughs, cultivates trust, and plays the loyal cousin, all while silently calculating. He is patient and clever, knowing that overt moves could cost him everything, yet he quietly waits for the moment to seize what he covets. His duality—sunny on the surface, venomous underneath—makes him both dangerous and fascinating.