(Thunder rumbles outside. The cries of a woman in labor echo through the palace walls.)
"My King! My lady has given birth to a baby boy!" the first midwife exclaimed with joy.
"Sir Kim, it's a girl," said the second midwife softly.
"Your Majesty, it's a boy!" the third midwife added hurriedly.
(The cries of newborns fill the room.)
---
Yeongnam City
"Ah! I finally have a prince! All thanks to the gods—my queen has made me the happiest king alive!" declared the King of Yeongnam, beaming with pride.
"The next ruler of Yeongnam, the Crown Prince—Gyeongwon!"
A midwife bowed deeply. "Your Majesty, my lady wishes to see you. You have but little time."
Sir Kim Dong-in followed her into the chamber, his eyes already glistening with tears. His wife lay pale and weak, her breath shallow.
"Dong-in," she whispered.
"My lady," he answered, kneeling beside her as tears streamed down both their faces.
"Please… take care of our baby girl," she said faintly. "I'm sorry I couldn't fulfill my duty as a mother. I hope she forgives me when she grows up."
"Don't speak like that," Kim Dong-in said, holding her hand tightly. "You brought her into this world—that alone proves your love and strength. She will know it, even if you are not here."
With trembling hands, Mrs. Kim took off a delicate necklace and placed it around the infant's neck.
"This is all I have to leave her. Name her… Kim Nana."
Her hand fell still. Her eyes closed forever.
"Nooooo!" Kim Dong-in cried out, clutching his newborn daughter to his chest as thunder rolled above.
---
Gyeongdong City
"Your Majesty," the queen called softly.
"My queen," replied the King of Gyeongdong, smiling warmly. "You have brought me great joy today. I am overjoyed to be a father. Tomorrow, we shall hold a grand celebration for our prince—the heir of Gyeongdong, Go Jae-yang!"
---
Ten Years Later — A Mischievous Bloom
Ten years passed. Kim Nana had grown into a beautiful and talented young lady—but also one known for her mischief. Her laughter and playful tricks had become famous across Yeongnam.
"My lady! My lady! Please don't run like that, you might fall!" the maids cried as they chased her around the Kim residence.
(Nana giggles.)
"Catch me if you can!" she shouted, making funny faces at them as she darted through the courtyard.
"What's going on here?" Mr. Kim demanded, arriving just in time to see his daughter's chaos and the maids' exhaustion.
"Father!" Nana squealed happily, running into his arms.
"Happy birthday, my little princess," he said with a smile, lifting her up. "These days you've become quite willful and naughty, hmm?"
"I wasn't naughty!" Nana protested, grinning innocently.
Just then, a guard rushed in and whispered something into Kim Dong-in's ear. His expression turned serious.
"Hmm… very well," he replied quietly. "Nana, why don't you go play outside since it's your birthday? I have some important matters to handle, but I'll come back soon, alright?"
"A-Dong!" Nana called.
A young maid—A-Dong, sixteen years old and Nana's closest companion—ran up to her. "My lady!"
"Let's go to the market and buy some snacks," Nana said mischievously.
"My lady! That's not allowed!" A-Dong gasped.
"Come on…" Nana giggled, grabbing her hand. "Let's go!"
(Their laughter faded down the hall as the story of two destinies continued to unfold…)