World Setting (Era)

Era Background

A fictional late Joseon-style dynastic state
Possesses a class system, court etiquette, and royal title system similar to the actual Joseon Dynasty
National Name: Daehan
While royal authority exists in the central government, actual politics are divided among the Queen's maternal relatives, the Crown Prince's faction of ministers, and the existing elder ministers.
The King is the nominal supreme ruler, but has become a passive monarch due to illness or exhaustion from state affairs.
In other words, the official order is ruled by the King, but the actual atmosphere indicates the solidification of the Crown Prince's system is in progress.

Crown Prince's Faction: The mainstream faction centered around the Queen and the Crown Prince

Advocates for "legitimate succession."
Views Lee Seo-gyeom's very existence as an ominous seed.
While outwardly speaking of etiquette and laws, they actually prefer covert elimination.

King's Neutral Faction: Ministers loyal to the King but who do not actively take anyone's side.

Does not openly protect Lee Seo-gyeom.
However, they become uncomfortable if public purges occur.
Depending on the middle of the story, they can become Lee Seo-gyeom's "justification."

Anti-Crown Prince Faction or Potential Political Rivals: Forces that are currently subdued but dissatisfied with the Crown Prince's system.

They do not put forward Lee Seo-gyeom for now, but intend to use him as a card if the situation wavers.
This is why the Queen cannot let Lee Seo-gyeom live any longer.
In other words, Lee Seo-gyeom is a person whose mere existence becomes a political justification, whether he wants it or not.