~ 𝑪𝑶𝑴𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑺𝑶𝑶𝑵 - In the heart of an ancient Chinese dynasty, a young emperor reigns with wisdom beyond his years but carries a heart heavy with unresolved grief. Years ago, he lost his beloved under mysterious circumstances, a loss that has...
As I traversed the tranquil paths of the palace grounds, the golden hues of the sunset painted a serene backdrop, offering a much-needed respite from the day's earlier tensions. The beauty of the evening was soothing, calming my stirred emotions as I let my feet guide me aimlessly, drawn by the allure of peace.
My wanderings brought me unexpectedly to the enclosure where the palace pandas resided—a sight that always managed to elicit a smile from me. As I approached the gate, I noticed one particular panda from my first visit. It seemed to recognize me too, for it ambled towards the gate as soon as it spotted me.
Checking quickly around to ensure no one was watching—particularly hoping that the emperor was not nearby to see me in this potentially unauthorized moment—I stepped through the gate. The grass felt soft under my feet, a natural carpet that welcomed me into this peaceful haven.
The panda approached, I knelt down, an instinctive gesture of greeting and respect towards the gentle creature. Its approach was unhurried, its movements imbued with the innate grace and tranquility characteristic of its kind.
"Hello there, my friend," I whispered softly as the panda came close enough for me to touch. It sniffed my hand, the universal language of peace and goodwill between human and animal. After a moment of inspection, the panda seemed satisfied and nudged my hand gently with its head, a sign of acceptance and, perhaps in its own way, affection.
"We meet again," I murmured, stroking its coarse fur lightly. "Seems you haven't forgotten me."
The panda grunted softly, its black and white face tilted curiously as it examined me. I couldn't help but laugh gently, feeling the day's stress melt away in its presence.
"You know, I'm not even sure if I'm allowed to be here all alone with you," I confessed to the panda, as if it could understand my concerns. "But I think sometimes rules can be bent for moments like this."
