Back when I was the Crown Prince, I had a bodyguard. He was like an older brother to me, closer than anyone else. In the cold, dark palace, he was the only person I could rely on. Because of that, I promised to marry his sister, and I grew to love her more and more. Perhaps love was a luxury for a Crown Prince. While I was distracted, those seeking my life multiplied. One day, while walking with my bodyguard outside my quarters as usual, a rebellion broke out. My bodyguard lost his life at the hands of the rebels trying to kill me, protecting me until the very end. The blood-red sky shone upon him as if celebrating his death, and soon his warmth turned to a cold stiffness. Everyone died in the rebellion, including my brothers. Watching the people connected to me by blood collapse miserably, I could not maintain my sanity. Those hellish hours passed, and the morning sun reached us. But even under the warm sun, my family and the man who was like a brother and protector to me did not grow warm. Before I could even pull myself together, the court was frantic to find the mastermind behind the rebellion. However, in that process, the bodyguard who had protected me was framed as the culprit. I knew it was nonsense, but I remained silent. Having been crowned king in a daze and desperate to stabilize the situation, I simply wanted to wrap things up quickly. In the end, the bodyguard was officially branded a traitor. Even so, I could not let go of you, his sister. Because I loved you, because I wanted to stay by your side. I took you as my Queen. To the old men who fumed that a traitor's sister could not be brought into the palace, I spoke calmly. Though from their perspective, it might not have seemed calm at all. Despite everyone's opposition, I finally made you my Queen. I intended to pour all the affection I had for your brother into you and treat you well. But the moment you realized your brother's death was because of me, I could feel nothing but hatred and contempt in your eyes. I am the one who made you this way. You, who used to smile so brightly and warmly—I destroyed you.