Warning: This chapter contains 18+ scene!
AT THE SAME TIME
MEI SHEN'S POINT OF VIEW:
The hall was heavy with expectation. Every eye seemed to weigh me down, but I forced my steps steady as I moved forward. The gleaming marble floor reflected the glow of crimson lanterns hung from the towering pillars. My silk dress whispered with every movement, but inside, my chest tightened. I was about to meet him, the Emperor, Lianwei Voss, the man I was supposed to marry, the man who would define my future.
Then, I saw him. He stood at the dais, tall and flawless as I imagined, but colder than the harshest winter night. His hair was black as a raven's wing, swept back to reveal a high forehead and piercing eyes that cut right through me. His expression was unreadable, but his gaze landed on me like a blade, sharp, assessing, merciless. For a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of surprise, as if I had disrupted something expected. But then the priest's voice rose, calling the ceremony to order.
"Emperor Lianwei Voss, do you accept Mei Shen as your Empress, to stand by your side through the tides of empire?"Priest asked.
All eyes turned to him, waiting. He stepped forward slowly, each movement deliberate. His voice was low and cold, but his words shattered every hope I held to leave this story script as soon as possible.
"I will not take Mei Shen as my wife."He said coldly. Gasps erupted through the hall. "Instead, she will stay my concubine."
A hush fell, as if the very air had been punched from the room. My heart pounded, disbelief crashing through me like a wave. In the novel, in the story I read before died through this moment was different. We were meant to be wed, united as Emperor and Empress. But this… this was a twist I hadn't seen coming. I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of a thousand eyes burning into me, the sting of humiliation threatening to break me. But I would not break. Not yet. I met his eyes, cold and unyielding, and forced my voice steady.
"As you wish, emperor."I said.
Why did he step away from the original script of the novel? It wasn't supposed to happen. I was supposed to get married and then run away.
"Send my servants. Bring Mei Shen to my chambers this evening."He said coldly.
His words fell like a stone, heavy and absolute. My heart pounded wildly, but I kept my face calm as two palace guards stepped forward, bowing deeply. Inside my mind, Zeyrith's voice curled around my thoughts, amused but restrained.
"Well, Mei Shen. Not what you expected, was it?"He asked.
"This isn't over. I know this story too well." I thought fiercely.
The guards moved closer. Their faces were unreadable. I had no choice but to follow. As I stepped away from the crowd, Zeyrith's voice softened to a whisper.
"The emperor's true intentions run deeper than you know."He said.
As Zeyrith's voice disappeared, I was left to wonder if I would still be able to follow the original flow of the script after all.
Late evening cloaked the palace in shadows as I approached the Emperor's chambers. The flicker of candlelight danced behind the heavy doors, promising warmth, or something far colder. I barely had time to step inside before strong hands shot out, grabbing me and pinning me hard against the wall. The cold stone pressed against my back, but all I could feel was the fierce force of him. Lianwei's dark eyes locked onto mine, burning with something I couldn't name.
Without warning, his lips crushed onto mine, deep, demanding, and utterly consuming. The world narrowed to the heat of his mouth, the sharp pull of his hands, the rapid beat of my own heart. I gasped into the kiss, caught between surprise and a strange, burning fire.
When he finally pulled back, his gaze never left me silent, intense, as if daring me to fight back. His lips parted just enough to let out a slow, dark grin.
"You taste better than I imagined." He murmured, his breath warm against my skin. Without warning, he pulled me even closer, his body pressing firmly against mine.
"This." He said, his voice low and filled with cold certainty. "Will be your duty from now on. Not as my wife, but as something… more." His eyes gleamed with that chilling intensity that made my skin prickle.
I swallowed hard, heart pounding fiercely.
"What do you mean?" I whispered, trying to steady my voice.
He brushed a stray strand of hair from my face, his touch almost gently, if danger could feel gentle.
"You'll serve me in ways only you can imagine. Obedience. Loyalty. Pleasure. All woven together, bound to me." He whispered.
The weight of his words settled over me like a dark shroud, but beneath the fear, a spark of defiance flared. I wasn't broken. Not yet. He smiled again, sharp and satisfied.
"Don't worry, Mei Shen. You'll learn. And I will enjoy teaching."He grinned.
I pressed my hands against his chest, trying to push him back, to find space between us.
'No, Lianwei. Not now. I'm not ready." I said, voice trembling but firm.
He chuckled, low and amused, his dark eyes gleaming with mischief.
"You really think you can say no to me?"He whispered.
Before I could protest, he brushed his lips lightly over mine a soft kiss that sent shivers down my spine. Then, just when I thought he woud stop, he pulled back for a moment and brought out a small, delicate candy from his sleeve, almost like a secret weapon.
"Try this." He whispered, placing it gently on my tongue.
The sweetness exploded instantly, rich and unfamiliar, a taste crafted only for moments like this. My resistance faltered, my breath catching as he leaned in again, lips capturing mine with a hunger that melted my defenses.
"See?" he teased, pulling back just enough to watch my reaction. "You can't fight what's already yours."
After he finally settled, his breathing even and deep, I lay back on the soft silk sheets, my fingers still tingling from the sweetness lingering on my tongue. The candlelight flickered gently, casting shadows that danced across his sharp features, so calm, so cold when awake, but now… peaceful. How had I let myself fall so completely into his orbit? How could I feel so exposed and yet so drawn to the man who'd just broken every boundary I thought I had?
My gaze traced the line of his jaw, the curve of his brow, too beautiful, too dangerous for someone like me. I knew that I needed to stay away from him, but his irresistible character and beauty made me fall for him almost instantly.