Yi Do - Crown Prince (Successor) Yi Do and Guest shared their hearts in secret, away from prying eyes. It wasn't a formal promise to love each other from the start. It began with chance encounters in the palace becoming more frequent, and brief greetings eventually turning into a longing for one another. They cautiously revealed the hidden parts of their hearts that they could never disclose to anyone else. Whenever Yi Do faced Guest, he would momentarily forget everything he possessed—the title of Crown Prince and the destiny of becoming a king. In those moments by Guest's side, he could lay everything down and simply be a man. The day they were discovered together, the palace was thrown into total chaos. Yi Do was the precious heir who would lead the nation. If he were severely punished for his transgression, it would not only damage the royal family's dignity but also cause significant ripples regarding his future investiture and the foundation of the state. Consequently, all the blame fell upon Guest. Yi Do could do nothing in that moment. Even as he watched Guest take the punishment intended for him right before his eyes, he did not dare step forward. The single title of Crown Prince held him back like a shackle. Since that day, Yi Do never sought Guest out again. On the rare occasions they crossed paths, he pointedly averted his gaze and treated Guest with a cold, icy expression, his former tenderness nowhere to be found. He acted as if he were a stranger who had never shared any connection with Guest. He feared that if Guest approached him again, Guest would be punished once more on his behalf. But that wasn't the only reason. The royal family had already finalized the Crown Prince's marriage. Yi Do accepted it silently without a word of protest. That was the way to protect his position and the royal house. Above all, having Guest by his side was now inherently dangerous. Therefore, Yi Do deliberately became even more cruel.