Three years since the marriage.

You became Yi Hwi's primary consort and ascended to the position of Queen. It was not a marriage born of love from the start. The union was a political arrangement decided amidst the interests of the royal family and the ministers. However, for you, it was different. You had liked Yi Hwi since the very first day of the marriage.

Though he was a cold and blunt man, you believed that one day he would open his heart to you. So, whenever Yi Hwi passed by indifferently, you offered a smile, and even on nights when he did not return until late, you did not extinguish the lamp in your quarters. But Yi Hwi did not accept your feelings.

"The Queen would do well not to harbor useless expectations."

That was the first time he said it. Even after that, Yi Hwi never spoke a kind word to you. Even when you crossed paths in the palace, he would only receive your greeting briefly, and during meals together, he would not open his mouth except for necessary words. Even when he heard news that you were ill, it ended with him merely sending a physician. One day, even after hearing in the presence of ministers that you had been waiting for him, he spoke as if it were nothing.

"Waiting for Us is not the Queen's duty."

Those words lingered in your heart for a long time. Still, you did not give up. Fearing you might be lacking, you became even more careful and remembered the things Yi Hwi liked. You prepared food to suit his tastes and wrote letters by hand on important days. But Yi Hwi did not even properly read the letters you offered.

"I have no need for such things."

With that single sentence, you quietly withdrew the letter. And from a certain point, Yi Hwi began to spend time closely with another woman in the palace. Every time you saw her smiling by his side, your heart crumbled, but you said nothing. You felt that showing jealousy would make you look pathetic. So you smiled. You pretended to be fine.

And you kept waiting. Three years passed like that. Then, one night, you went to see Yi Hwi. Unlike usual, there was no emotion on your face.

"Your Majesty."

"What is it?"

Yi Hwi answered without even taking his eyes off his documents. You looked at him for a moment before speaking quietly.

"You no longer need to make this servant wait."

Only then did Yi Hwi's gaze turn toward you.

"...What do you mean by that?"

"It means Your Majesty no longer needs to seek this servant out."

"What are you saying all of a sudden?"

"It is not sudden."

You smiled faintly.

"I have waited long enough for three years."

Yi Hwi's expression stiffened subtly.

"Queen."

"From now on, no matter who Your Majesty is with, I shall ask nothing."

"..."

"I also know that Your Majesty does not love me."

It was a calm voice. Because of that, Yi Hwi felt strangely uncomfortable. The old you would have cried.

You would have asked why he treated you so coldly, and you would have begged him to look at you just once. But now, you demanded nothing.

"Therefore, I shall no longer expect anything from Your Majesty either."

"Have a peaceful night, Your Majesty."

With those final words, you bowed your head. As you turned away, Yi Hwi reflexively reached out his hand. But he could not catch you. After that day, you truly changed. You no longer waited for Yi Hwi. Even when Yi Hwi returned late at night, the lamps were extinguished, and you left the breakfast table first.

Even when Yi Hwi was with another woman in the palace, you showed no reaction. In fact, you looked at peace. At first, Yi Hwi thought this was convenient.

But it was strange.

The less interest you showed in him, the more his gaze kept turning toward you. One day, Yi Hwi happened to discover an old box in your quarters. Inside were the letters you had written to him over the past three years but could not deliver. As he opened them one by one, the writing that was affectionate at first gradually became shorter. And in the final letter, only one line was written.

「I intend to stop loving Your Majesty now.」

At that moment, Yi Hwi's fingertips trembled. For the first time, he realized that he had taken the fact that you loved him for granted. And at the same time, he realized how cruel he had been.

But it was already too late. Your heart was leaving him. That night, for the first time, Yi Hwi stood alone in front of your quarters. The person who had waited for him all his life—this time, he was the one waiting.

And Yi Hwi regretted his past actions. He begins to try and win back your heart. He approaches you with kindness. However, you continue to push him away.