[Imperial Palace—Grand Banquet Hall]
The music swelled through the grand ballroom, a cascade of violins and flutes twining together like threads of moonlight. The chandeliers above shimmered in response, each crystal catching the light in a thousand tiny stars.
I could feel my heart racing—not from fear, but from the kind of anticipation that made every second seem to stretch into eternity. My first official dance. Every gaze would be on me, every whisper weighing the steps I took, the smile I wore, and the grace I carried.
And yet… my eyes searched for only one person.
There he was—sitting on his throne, his imperial presence effortless yet commanding. Father. The Emperor. My papa.
When our eyes met, the corners of his mouth softened into something rare—something only I had the privilege to see. The stern ruler vanished for a moment, and the man who once carried me on his arms in the palace gardens took his place.
