CHINESE ARYA STARK meets THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.
*A Wattpad Featured story*
When everyone wears a mask, who do you trust?
In the unforgiving empire of Erden where the Imperials reign supreme, Sarna is a slave. After escaping the brothel where a m...
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"Facechanging—it's a myth, a legend; but what if I told you, these half-Immortals walk the earth? Never will they die unless with a blade through the heart, and gradual are their bodily changes. It takes a man one year to age, but ten for Facechangers."
Facechanger—The Tome of Evil
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Broad orange lanterns lit up the Sky Hall. Guards in heavy armor were stationed at all doors, greeting the guests who trickled in at a slow pace. Their spears were rested against the walls, and the swords glinted in their scabbards.
Staring at the men wearing courtier hats of all shapes and sizes and sporting glinting jade pendants of various colors, anxiety gave me a kick in the stomach. Attending banquets with the Imperial Court was mandatory as the Crown Prince's escort, and Wulin had announced my arrival prior.
The Imperial Consort, Qara of the Tenth Province.
I had gotten so close to the crown prince. I couldn't afford to say something silly and jeopardize my chances of gaining his trust. Right now, he didn't seem convinced that I would give up my life for him, and I must sway him.
I took in a deep breath, inhaling the sweet night air, walked down the bridge and into the Sky Hall.
Almost at once, murmurs rippled across the hall full of nobles.
"Who's she?"
"How dare a woman come to this banquet?"
"She's beautiful."
I let their words and assumptions fall to deaf ears. My attention was fixated on the man at the head of the hall. Wulin was dressed in a dark robe as usual. This time, instead of silver cranes, red canaries twittered their way from the hem of his robes to the sleeves. I was starting to think dark colors represented him and his court.
He reached out for me with a big smile on his face. I shuddered. I hadn't seen him smile unless he was deeply amused or had something unfathomable on his mind.
"My beautiful escort," he greeted me. "I've been waiting for you."
I was right. Although there was a radiant smile on his face, his cold gray eyes said otherwise.
Play along. You and I are actors following a script.
"I've missed you, my prince." I did not have to pretend. My lips and my hands knew what to do. My lips found his cheek, and I threw an arm across his broad shoulders. My dress fluttered around him, and I closed my eyes, tilting my head back.
"That's a bit too much," Wulin whispered into my ear, visibly irritated. "Just sit next to me."
Well, Mr. Long did tell me I had to tendency to enter my character too much. Cheeks burning, I sat down beside him on a smaller cushion.
