~ 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...
Since the clumsy accident in my chambers, something had shifted inside me. It was subtle at first, an undercurrent of warmth whenever I thought about the emperor. His proximity during that brief, awkward moment had left me blushing, my heart skipping beats even though our exchanges had been friendly, lighthearted. Yet, despite the platonic nature of our banter, my thoughts of him lingered long after. The memory of his warm gaze and gentle smile clung to me like a shadow, and no matter how much I tried to shake it off, I couldn't help but think of him when I was alone—especially as I lay in bed, waiting for sleep to claim me.
It was maddening in a way. The emperor, of all people, was occupying my thoughts, and I didn't even know how it happened. I couldn't say any of this out loud; it would sound absurd, as though I had become obsessed with him. But I wasn't... not in that way. He had simply, somehow, found a way into my head without even trying.
Lost in thought, I rushed through the palace, barely noticing the servants moving around me, their animated conversations blending into the background as I turned the corner too quickly. Before I realized what was happening, I collided hard with someone, stumbling backward as I fought for balance. Panic flared, but before I could fall, an arm wrapped firmly around my waist, pulling me securely against their body.
I squeezed my eyes shut, embarrassed and bracing for the inevitable awkwardness. Then I heard a familiar, soft chuckle, and my eyes snapped open.
"Your... majesty," I whispered, my voice barely audible as I found myself face to face with him, my fingers instinctively curling into the rich fabric of his royal garment.
He held me close, his gaze warm yet playful, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. "You're quite good at running into me, Lian," he teased lightly, his arm still securely around my waist. His smile was easy, but there was something in his eyes—something that made my heart race, far more than it should have.
I swallowed hard, trying to form a coherent response. "I... I didn't mean to," I stammered, still trying to process the fact that I was once again in such close proximity to him, his presence overpowering all rational thought.
He chuckled softly again, his grip loosening but still steadying me as I attempted to regain my composure. "Maybe the universe just likes pulling us together," he said, his voice soft, the words teasing yet filled with a warmth that left me more flustered than before.
