Chun'er had fallen asleep in the corner, curled up under a thin blanket. She looked small and quiet, like she couldn't hurt anyone.
I sat on the floor in front of the brazier. The room was dark, lit only by a single candle between us.
I had turned the mirror earlier to face the wall as i didn't want to see the face I wore now.
I just stared at the candle. Its light flickered across the walls and made my shadow look like it wore a crown I no longer had.
I whispered a name.
"Grand Chancellor Wei."
My voice was soft—just enough for the candle to flicker.
"Empress Dowager Xie."
I straightened my back. The flame had leaned towards me.
"Lady Qiao."
Her face still haunts me—white makeup, red lips, and poison hidden behind kind words.
"Wen Huayan."
A quiet woman who planted lies in the emperor's mind before I ever noticed.
"Consort Ning."
Beautiful, clever, and ruthless. She would do anything to climb higher.
I named them one by one.
Then I said his name.
"Zhao Yunxie."
I didn't spit it out. I let it out slowly.
He once claimed to love me—but used me like a tool and threw me away when I wasn't useful anymore. He kissed my hair the night before signing the order for my execution.
He would be the last one to fall.
The flame grew bigger, reaching higher, as if it felt my words.
I leaned in close and whispered, "I'll forgive nothing and forget nothing" I vowed
"You crowned me."
I blew out the candle.
"You killed me."
The room fell into darkness and while I sat in silence I let out a final whisper
"You will kneel before me next."