The golden courtyard gleamed under the high noon sun. Silk banners fluttered in the warm breeze, painted with the emblems of two great empires. The air was thick with incense and anticipation, the murmurs of courtiers fading into reverent silence as the delegation from the Eastern Empire approached.
The visiting Emperor—young, tall, and dressed in flowing white and silver—walked forward with calm authority. His eyes were bright as polished obsidian, his movements graceful, deliberate, and commanding. Even the air around him seemed to bow to his presence.
Lian An stood beside her husband, composed and dignified in her pale blue gown. Her fingers tightened around her fan as the handsome foreign ruler crossed the courtyard. His attendants followed in perfect formation, their armor glinting under the light, their banners swaying with the rhythm of his steps.
As he neared, all eyes were on him—and his eyes were only on one person.
