Prince from another dimension becomes an Idol chapter 1

A black luxury sedan was passing through the crowded Gwanghwamun intersection.

Despite the vehicle being equipped with tinted windows, soundproofing, and bulletproofing, the outside noise faintly seeped into the car.

[124th Year Celebration of the Proclamation of the Korean Empire]

A banner fluttered high in the sky, announcing the cause of the commotion in calligraphy.

“Hmmm…”

The road had been closed off since morning in preparation for the event starting at 8 PM tonight.

Outside the window, crowds gathered to watch the performance, and staff members were busily setting up the stage.

“It’s noisy, isn’t it? And the road is blocked… We have to pass this way to get to the palace.”

Chamberlain Kim explained with a sigh as he sat in the passenger seat.

“I know. It’s fine.”

Before he left the palace as an adult, Dojae had lived in the Gyeongbokgung Palace (Joseon Dynasty Imperial Palace), so he was well aware of the road conditions.

Of course, it wasn’t because Chamberlain Kim didn’t know this.

Dojae reassured him, saying it was okay, and fixed his gaze back out the window.

His thick eyebrows, deep-set eyes, and prominent nose reflected in the car window alongside the bustling Gwanghwamun intersection.

Thanks to the ingenuity and swift actions of King Jeongjo, Joseon successfully modernized, and during Emperor Jin’s reign, it proclaimed itself the Korean Empire and adopted a constitutional monarchy.

It was a survival strategy in a global climate where one had to dominate or be dominated.

As a result, the Korean Empire survived as an independent nation.

The Lee dynasty, which chose to flow rather than stagnate, was acknowledged for this decision and could continue its legacy into modern times.

Thus, another 124 years passed, and while the world and the Imperial Family changed over the century, their duties and responsibilities remained the same.

‘Maintain dignity and honor at all times, and be beneficial.’

King Yeongjo was said to wash his ears when he heard something he disliked, and Dojae felt the same urge whenever he heard this phrase.

He had heard it so often that it felt like his ears had scabs.

The only good thing about leaving the main palace, Gyeongbokgung, and living in the Cheongju (name of the palace) Haenggung (Palace where the relatives of the Emperor lives, or can be a house vacation), which was more like a modern mansion, was that he didn’t have to hear it as much.

“Chamberlain Kim.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“There’s still some time. Could we stop the car for a moment?”

“Huh? Why…”

Chamberlain Kim tilted his head in confusion.

Without a word, Dojae gently lowered the window.

The outside noise, previously blocked by the window, poured in.

At the same time, a sweet acoustic guitar sound reached his ears.

―Ah, ah. Mic test.

A rehearsal was taking place on stage.

Noticing Dojae’s intention, Chamberlain Kim instructed the driver to pull over to the side of the road.

Dojae rolled down the window just enough so that his face wouldn’t be visible.

A male singer, having tuned his guitar strings a few times, began singing to the accompaniment.

―You don’t know, my trembling heart. My heart doesn’t beat without you…

Though it was just a rehearsal stage without any lighting, the top singer-songwriter of the Korean Empire instantly captivated the audience’s ears.

A sweet voice.

Touching lyrics layered over lyrical melodies.

The audience watched him with entranced eyes.

Listening to the song, Dojae tapped a small rhythm with his fingers on his suit pants.

He barely restrained himself from unconsciously singing along.

“Your Highness, we must go now. If we stay any longer, the traffic will worsen…”

“Understood.”

After raising the window, Dojae looked straight ahead.

The car soon started moving again.

***

In preparation for the ‘124th Year Celebration of the Proclamation of the Korean Empire’ to be held at Gyeongbokgung Palace’s Geunjeongjeon (Secondary Building) tomorrow, the direct descendants of the current emperor had gathered for the first time in a while.

Except for Geunjeongjeon and Gyeonghoeru (largest elevated pavilion), Gyeongbokgung Palace, where the Imperial Family resided, had been entirely renovated in a modern style.

In the sophisticated atmosphere where the old and new blended, dinner time had arrived.

“Since all the princes and princesses have gathered, the chefs have put their utmost effort into preparing the meal.”

While the head chef from the Imperial kitchen explained each dish, Dojae looked indifferently at the beautifully colored foods.

At the highest seat sat the emperor and empress, with the crown prince and crown princess seated harmoniously next to them.

The princesses and princes sat in order, with Dojae, the youngest and third prince, at the far end of the table.

“It’s nice to see everyone gathered after so long. Please, enjoy.”

At the emperor’s command, the meal began.

Except for the crown prince, who would become the next emperor, all the emperor’s children left the main palace upon reaching adulthood and moved to various regional palaces.

Dojae thought it was no different from exile.

Some might say it was easy to live in a palace, eating, sleeping, and spending as they pleased without doing anything.

At least for Dojae, it wasn’t.

‘A life where you can’t do anything by your own will.’

To prevent the Imperial Family from recklessly participating in political power, the Imperial Law strictly restricted the Imperial Family’s property ownership and occupations.

Marriage partners were also chosen from respectable professions, such as professors or doctors, which were close to honorary positions.

They were also not allowed to appear in public personally, as they might influence the masses.

Therefore, those Imperial members who did not become emperor naturally lived and died without leaving the haenggung, without any presence.

Only during large events like this did they come up to the capital and show their faces, serving as displayed souvenirs.

“The eve celebration must be in full swing by now.”

As the meal neared its end, the empress initiated the conversation.

The main celebration was presided over by the emperor, while the eve celebration was managed by the crown prince.

The crown prince responded with a smile.

“Before coming in, I was informed that nearly ten thousand imperial citizens attended the eve celebration. The broadcast response is also very enthusiastic.”

“Well done. Good job.”

At the emperor’s praise, the crown prince glanced at Dojae and spoke.

“The youngest helped a lot with the performer list and arrangements.”

“…Are you still interested in such things?”

Although it might have been intended to praise Dojae, it didn’t sound pleasant to their father.

Dojae swallowed a sigh at the emperor’s sharp question.

“Among the performers are not only singers but also classical musicians, Your Majesty. The youngest has always had an exceptional eye for various forms of art.”

The Crown Prince tried to smooth things over, but it was already too late.

Both singers and classical musicians, while different in their degree, all catered to the public.

“Don’t entertain useless thoughts,” the Emperor retorted coldly, and Dojae bowed his head.

When Dojae was a child, the Emperor found his talent in singing and playing musical instruments quite endearing.

But that was the extent of it.

When Dojae turned eighteen and expressed his desire to become a singer, the palace was thrown into chaos.

The Emperor was furious, accusing Dojae of abandoning his Imperial duties.

The Empress fretted endlessly about the potential for gossip to spread outside the palace.

‘The Imperial Family, which once adapted to changes better than anyone, has now become the most conservative.’

Dojae was disappointed, and a little while after becoming an adult, he left the palace.

He lived quietly at the Cheongju Palace, as the Emperor desired.

He resumed his studies with a tutor, preparing for university, and devoted himself silently to volunteer work.

He tried hard to ignore his passions and desires.

‘I’m suffocating.’

Dojae adjusted his tie, feeling a sense of suffocation.

Sensing the tense atmosphere, the eldest princess quickly changed the topic.

“Your Highness, I heard that relics from the Baekje era were discovered at the apartment construction site! Will they be moved to the Imperial Central Museum?”

It was a question about the museum project, one of the Crown Prince’s other duties.

One of the major differences between public education and Imperial education was the thorough study of history and culture.

Since the Imperial Family itself was a living history, most of the Imperials were knowledgeable and interested in this field.

Normally, Dojae, who had a keen interest in the arts, would have been intrigued by such a topic.

But not today.

“No, sister. Not immediately. First, there will be a six-month investigation…”

As the Crown Prince answered and various conversations flowed, Dojae silently continued to clear his plate.

His other siblings were content with their lot in life, making him the odd one out.