It was a fine spring day, warmed by gentle sunlight.
"That will be all for today, Your Highness."
"Thank you for your hard work."
The boy—barely six years old—sent the young official away with manners far too refined for his age. Only after the door closed did he stretch his legs and mutter a curse under his breath.
"Fuck… this is exhausting."
His knees tingled from sitting upright for hours. He rubbed them absently and glanced out the window.
Beyond the layered tiled roofs stretched a clear blue sky.
The boy sighed.
"It's great being born a prince… but why did it have to be Crown Prince? And why does my father have to be King Sejong of all people?"
Another long sigh escaped him.
"Why doesn't rebirth feel lucky at all?"
The boy who spoke of rebirth—something that would have shocked anyone else—was Jinho.
Or rather, Lee Hyang.
The eldest son of King Sejong the Great.
The man who would one day become King Munjong.
When he first opened his eyes, Jinho thought he was in an emergency medical facility.
The wooden rafters above him were the first thing he saw.
Which house did they turn into a temporary treatment center…?
Then confusion followed.
Why is this room so big? Why can't I move? Did they put me in a full-body cast?
He struggled, turning his head with all his strength.
That was when he realized—
His body was tightly wrapped in swaddling cloth
And far, far too small.
"Kkyaa…?"
The sound that escaped his mouth wasn't even human.
A startled female voice came from somewhere beyond his field of vision.
"Milady! The young master has opened his eyes!"
It took Jinho three full days to accept reality.
He was a baby.
Unable to move freely, he spent his time eating, sleeping, and counting rafters while his mind raced nonstop.
I was reborn… but where?
The surroundings were unmistakable.
This looks like Joseon.
At first, he couldn't even understand the language.
Is this some other world that just looks like Joseon?
Only after three months did comprehension finally come.
No… this really is Joseon. But the language…
He cursed the language before remembering something obvious.
Five hundred years have passed, you idiot.
His constant observation unsettled his parents.
"My husband," his mother whispered, "don't you think our child is… unusual?"
"I've felt that way as well," his father replied quietly. "That's why I'm worried."
Their concern deepened day by day.
Meanwhile, Jinho—entirely unaware—was calmly organizing facts.
Royal family. That much is certain.
We're in Kaesong. That means the capital is still Hanyang.
Conclusion One:
My father is royal—but not yet on the throne.
Judging by the servants and clothing, his family was wealthy.
Royal families usually avoid excessive academic pressure to survive court politics.
Conclusion Two:
I won't starve. I don't need to compete. Minimal studying will be enough.
He was the eldest son.
He remembered everything from his previous life.
Even if he acted strangely, it would be dismissed as royal eccentricity.
Final Conclusion:
This is heaven.
Jinho smiled brightly.
Once Hunminjeongeum exists, learning will be easy. Western knowledge hasn't reached here yet—perfect timing for "independent rediscovery." This is paradise.
His nanny and mother laughed softly as they watched him smile.
"Oh my, Milady! Look how brightly the young master is smiling!"
"He must enjoy hearing his father read scriptures," his mother said fondly. "Our child must be very intelligent."
A fatal misunderstanding.
As days passed—three, seven, a hundred—preparations for his first birthday intensified.
One afternoon, his maternal grandmother dismissed the servants.
"Does His Highness the Grand Prince still spend his days buried in books?"
"As always," Jinho's mother replied proudly.
Her grandmother squeezed her hand.
"There are troubling rumors about the Crown Prince's conduct. Inevitably, talk has begun to surround His Highness the Grand Prince as well. My son-in-law's father is moving carefully. Until things settle, you must be cautious."
Jinho's mother stiffened.
"Mother… what are you implying?"
"Say nothing. Behave carefully."
The room fell silent.
Jinho's thoughts exploded.
Changing the Crown Prince? That only succeeded once—Sejong himself.
But how many failed attempts were buried in history?
Variables multiplied endlessly.
"Is something wrong, Hyang?" his mother asked anxiously, checking his diapers.
"I'll pretend I never heard this," she said firmly. "Please don't say it again."
Her grandmother left quietly.
Jinho stared at the ceiling.
Am I about to become collateral damage before my first birthday?
The answer came at his doljanchi.
"Congratulations!"
Guests in brilliant silk filled the hall.
Jinho studied their faces.
This is dangerous… too many important people.
Then—
"Haha! Congratulations, Choongnyeong!"
"Congratulations, sister-in-law."
Two young men entered.
Everyone stood.
"Welcome, Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"
"Welcome, Your Highness the Grand Prince!"
One man waved casually and approached.
"Sister-in-law, may I hold my nephew?"
"It would be an honor."
The Crown Prince lifted Hyang.
"Haha! Choongnyeong, he looks clever—just like you!"
Choongnyeong.
My father… is Grand Prince Choongnyeong?
Then that means—
King Sejong.
I'm Munjong.
And Danjong will be my son…
Shock froze him.
Before he could process it, the doljabi items were laid out.
Brush. Rice. Gold. Thread. Wooden sword.
His eyes drifted—not to the objects—
—but to the Crown Prince's earring.
That level of craftsmanship… at this era?
Without thinking, Hyang reached out.
"Kkyaa!"
The Crown Prince blinked.
"My earring?"
The hall erupted in whispers.
What did it mean?
No one knew.
But history had just shifted—
ever so slightly.