A King Among Strangers
The imperial study was silent.
Too silent.
Scrolls were spread across the table. Ink had dried at the tip of the brush. Reports from different regions lay open, filled with matters that demanded attention.
But the Emperor wasn't reading.
His eyes were on the same line for far too long.
Unmoving.
Unfocused.
—
"…Your Majesty?"
The attendant's voice broke the stillness.
The Emperor blinked once, as if pulled back from somewhere far away.
"…Leave it."
The attendant bowed and stepped back.
—
Silence returned.
—
But not peace.
—
His fingers tapped lightly against the table.
Once.
Twice.
Then stopped.
—
A thought—
Persistent.
Unwanted.
Yet impossible to ignore.
—
"…What is she doing now…"
—
He leaned back slightly.
His gaze drifting toward the window.
The palace courtyard looked calm.
Unchanging.
Cold.
—
"…Has she eaten?"
"…Is she resting?"
"…Or—"
His jaw tightened slightly.
"…is she still laughing with them…"
—
