~ 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...
The next morning, I found myself moving quietly around the palace kitchen with Mei, my close friend and confidante, by my side. The atmosphere was lively, but I could feel the weight of curious glances following me as I passed through the space. Servants whispered behind their hands, their eyes warm but filled with a knowing look that made my heart beat just a little faster. I tried to ignore it, focusing instead on helping where I could, although the attention, unwanted as it was, stirred something in me that made me feel vulnerable.
I picked up a cup of herbal tea, savoring the calming scent, when Xianzong's father stepped into the kitchen. Instinctively, I straightened, offering him a respectful bow before quickly pouring him a fresh cup of hot tea. I passed it to him with a warm smile, hoping my slight nervousness didn't show.
"Have you seen Xianzong?" he asked, his voice light but curious. "He's really sleeping in today."
At his words, the attention in the room shifted. I could feel every eye on me, the whispers quieting but the knowing looks intensifying. My cheeks flushed at the sudden focus, and I tried to compose myself under the weight of the attention. I could already imagine the assumptions forming, even though no one dared say them aloud.
"I—I wouldn't know," I stammered softly, trying to keep my voice steady, though my face felt hot under their collective gaze. "But I can go check?"
Xianzong's father smiled, a gentle twinkle in his eyes that only made me blush harder. He nodded, seeming oblivious to the unspoken exchange happening around us. "That would be kind of you. I'm sure he's just taking his time this morning."
With a quick bow, I excused myself, feeling Mei's amused gaze on me as I stepped away. I could hear the quiet giggles and whispers following me, and I couldn't help but smile a little despite my embarrassment. Whatever they thought, it was clear that the palace was paying close attention to the growing bond between Xianzong and me.
As I made my way down the corridor toward his chambers, my heart pounded a little faster, not just from the whispers of the servants but from the memory of the previous night. The closeness, the intimacy, the way Xianzong had looked at me—it was all still fresh in my mind, and it made my steps a little lighter.
