Hmm… tempting.

Sam was not originally a villainous character, nor was he cruel who treats people's lives as insects. He used to be warm and kind, shielding his younger siblings, knowing what hell awaits them if he didn't. 

However, shielding his younger siblings also provoked the king's authority. As a result, the fair amount of punishments he was already receiving increased over time to the point it put his life in danger on several occasions. 

According to Yul and Silvia, despite all that, Sam never told them about it and just smiled and pat their heads. Sam was a figure they looked up to. With his firm, reliable back facing them, they did their best to please their father so Sam wouldn't suffer anymore.

Even so, with a large family, as the late king had 20 children from different women, Sam's torturous years lasted for what seems to be an eternity. Some even treated him unkindly, just so he could stop, but he didn't.