~ 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...
Later that night, the quiet of my chambers enveloped me like a blanket, but my mind was anything but calm. After refreshing myself, I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at my reflection in the mirror across the room. My fingers drifted to my lips, touching them lightly, still feeling the ghost of his touch, the feather-light kiss that had sent my thoughts spiraling. It had been accidental, fleeting, but my heart hadn't let it go.
I kept replaying the moment, over and over, as if it held some answer I wasn't ready to face. The urge to leave the palace, to flee from the complex feelings that had been building within me, tugged at my thoughts. Yet, with each passing minute, I found myself anchored in place. Did I really want to leave now? After this?
The knock on the door startled me, pulling me out of my reverie. My hand instinctively flew to my chest, trying to calm my racing heart as I stood, unsure of who might be visiting at this late hour. As I opened the door, I was met with the sight of the emperor himself, slipping inside with a swift, almost silent movement. His expression was unreadable, his presence unexpected.
Without a word, he closed the door behind him, the quiet click echoing in the otherwise still room. My pulse quickened once again, the proximity to him sending a fresh wave of nervousness through me.
"Your majesty," I began, my voice barely above a whisper, unsure of what to say, unsure of why he was here.
He didn't answer immediately, his gaze sweeping over the room before settling on me. There was something in his eyes—concern, perhaps, or something deeper—but he didn't move closer. He stood near the door, watching me with an intensity that made me feel both vulnerable and safe at the same time.
"I didn't mean to overwhelm you earlier," he finally said, his voice soft, yet firm. "But I couldn't leave things as they were."
I looked down, my fingers fidgeting with the hem of my sleeve. "It was just an accident," I murmured, though even as I said it, I wasn't sure if I believed it. The kiss might have been unintended, but the emotions it stirred were anything but accidental.
"Perhaps," he said, his voice steady. "But what came after... the way you looked at me. The way you left. It didn't feel like it was just about the kiss." He paused, searching my face. "Is that why you've locked yourself away in here? Because of what happened?"
