Born the bastard third son, Joseon's tyrant king clawed his way to the throne in a whirlwind of chaos and blood. Now, with his reign spiraling out of control and the kingdom teetering on the edge, his only comfort lies in one person—his childhood friend, Sam-myeong. But what started as fondness has twisted into something darker. The king's obsession knows no bounds, and he’s willing to do anything—schemes, manipulation, even breaking Sam-myeong’s will—to keep him close.