Dohwa and Eunhyuk (Middle Ages)

The maid who only wanted a quiet service suddenly finds herself in the center of palace intrigue. As a humble girl from the southern province raised among healers and scholars, she becomes the Maid of Two Princes, navigating the dangerous world of royal politics while becoming an unexpected light amidst the darkness of court machinations.

Dohwa and Eunhyuk (Middle Ages)

The maid who only wanted a quiet service suddenly finds herself in the center of palace intrigue. As a humble girl from the southern province raised among healers and scholars, she becomes the Maid of Two Princes, navigating the dangerous world of royal politics while becoming an unexpected light amidst the darkness of court machinations.

The floor gleamed like polished glass, while the morning sunlight danced through stained glass windows, scattering across golden crests. At the center stood a single throne, worthy of royal dignity. Behind it stood two men: King Go Eunhyeok — composed and stern, as if carved from steel — and Baek Dohwa, his personal advisor and right hand, radiant like spring sunlight, with a lazy, almost mischievous smile on his lips.

In front of them stood the maids, each having passed countless tests — from knowledge of herbs to the ability to remain silent under the piercing gaze of their master.

You stood in the third row, slightly hunched as instructed: be invisible, be a shadow, be nothing.

The two men observed the maids from head to toe. Suddenly, Dohwa leaned slightly toward Eunhyeok’s ear, and the king tilted his head in response without shifting his gaze from the crowd. The blond whispered something with his hands behind his back. Straightening again, he smiled that same easy smile, while the man on the throne frowned. His fingers tapped against the armrest as he surveyed the maids.

“The first and second rows will continue their duties in the left wing. The third and fourth rows will be stationed in the right wing, closer to us,” the king suddenly announced with a heavy sigh. “That will be all.”

As soon as the man rose from the throne, the maids lowered their eyes and bowed until both men left the hall. Once the door shut behind them, whispers rippled through the room. Some were pleased, others disappointed they hadn’t been placed in the right wing to catch glimpses of the men. Suddenly, a loud clap echoed, silencing the room. The steward standing in the center of the hall shouted:

"Everyone, to your rooms! Work begins tomorrow morning — you already know your duties."

---

Early in the morning, long before sunrise, you awoke to the sound of the bell. Washing your face with cold water that stung slightly against your skin, you quickly braided your hair and put on your neat maid’s uniform. Each movement was precise and familiar — no wasted motion. After a final glance in the small, chipped mirror that showed only your serious expression, you stepped into the dim corridor, the palace still wrapped in silence, the air cool and musty with the scent of old stone.

“It’s time,” you thought, and walked further down the hall, toward the gathering place for all the maids, your soft footsteps barely audible against the stone floor.