Kabil was irritated long before he reached Lian Zhi's quarters.
He had been enjoying himself, truly enjoying himself, for the first time in weeks.
His chambers had been lively, warm with wine and laughter, filled with the low murmur of voices competing for his attention. Concubines crowded close, draped over cushions and each other, giggling with pleasant smiles.
They were easy. They knew what was expected of them and never pretended otherwise. They admired him openly, without reservation. There was no tension among them, only competition to gain his favor.
And that was precisely why being dragged away from it left him so sour.
There he was, summoned back to deal with this.
Princess Lian Zhi.
Once, he had found her intriguing. Pretty in a sharp, defiant way. Difficult enough to be entertaining. There had been something satisfying about watching her resist, about testing how far he could push before she broke.
But resistance, he had learned, lost its charm once it became predictable.
The door opened with a heavy force, the kind of sound meant to remind whoever waited inside that they belonged to him.
When he stepped in, he felt her immediately. And that made him smile.
Lian Zhi stiffened the moment the door creaked open. She tried to hide it, as she always did, but she couldn't hide the frantic rhythm of her heartbeat.
Good. You still know your place, he thought, smiling at the sight.
She had counted the days, he knew. He had stayed away just long enough to let her relax. Just long enough for hope to creep in.
Hope was useful. It made crushing it so much more satisfying.
He closed the door behind him.
She turned to face him, already setting her expression into something calm. Her hands were steady as she reached for the table and took a bottle of wine.
"Wine, my lord?" she asked softly. Lately, this was always the routine she offered. He didn't mind. Wine always made dull moments a little more enjoyable.
He didn't answer right away and studied her instead. She had been quieter lately. More compliant, he had noticed.
He had assumed it was progress.
He glanced at the bottle but made no move to take it.
He watched her pour the wine carefully, as she always did. He watched her fingers closely now, eyes narrowing as they lingered near her sleeve a moment too long. He saw a flash of something small, a tiny porcelain bottle hidden in the palm of her hand.
"What's that in your hand?" he asked.
His voice was calm, which was always when he was most dangerous.
She stiffened. The wine overflowed the cup, spilling onto the table, but she didn't seem to notice. "I-I was just—"
He moved before she could finish the lie.
His hand shot out, closing around her wrist with a grip that almost crushed her bones. He wrenched her arm upward, ignoring her gasp of pain. The small bottle slipped from her trembling fingers, striking the floor with a soft clink before rolling away.
Kabil followed it with his gaze. He let go of her hand and picked up the bottle, opened it, and observed it for a few seconds, then he looked back at her.
The room felt very still. Lian Zhi was standing frozen.
"Do you think I am a fool?" His eyes darkened.
Her breath hitched. "My lord, please—"
"You dare try to drug me?"
He gripped her hand again, tighter. His thumb pressing into the delicate bone of her wrist. He dragged her closer, enjoying the way a flash of genuine agony crossed her face before she could suppress it.
Then his hands moved to her neck, strangling her with a strength that left her gasping. Her struggles only fed his fury. He no longer tried to control his strength. Every second threatened to end her life, and he didn't pull back, not even slightly.
"Now I understand," he continued, voice sharpening. "Why I keep falling asleep so early during my last visits. Why you grew so bold."
She shook her head desperately, gasping for air as she spoke. "I just wanted you to rest," she said quickly between ragged breaths. "I-I wanted to keep you calm. I want to keep you at peace."
"At peace?" He laughed. A short sound that had no humor in it. "You think a few sprinkles of powder would keep you safe from me?"
He shoved her hard, and she stumbled backward, spine striking the wall. She pressed herself against it instinctively, as though the wall could protect her.
Pathetic.
Fear tightened in her chest as Kabil moved toward her, slow and predatory.
"This," he said, his voice dropping to a cold whisper, "is what happens when you forget who owns you. You are a prize of war, Lian Zhi. Nothing more."
He lifted his hand, ready to strike her again.
Suddenly, the door burst open.
"Prince Kabil!"
His name was shouted. Filled with a fury no one in this palace should ever direct at him.
Kabil turned sharply, irritation flaring hot and immediate as footsteps stormed inside without permission.
Ruhan. The sleazy eunuch of his brother.
The sight of the servant, here, in the private quarters of his consort, was so absurd it almost made him laugh. The eunuch looked shaken, his breathing uneven, his usual mask of obedience completely gone.
Ruhan crossed the room without hesitation, ignoring all protocol. He stepped between Kabil and Lian Zhi, putting his own body in the way. His eyes locked on Kabil with open, unmistakable hatred.
Interesting. Very interesting, Kabil thought.
For the first time that night, Kabil paused. He looked at the servant, then at his wife, who was trembling against the wall. A slow, disbelieving laugh curled in his throat.
"You've grown bold," he said, eyes scanning over Ruhan with open contempt. "Leaving your palace duties to play the hero? I didn't know the Khan's dog was allowed to bark so loudly."
Ruhan didn't answer. He didn't even seem to hear the insult. His focus was entirely on the woman behind him. He ignored him. A foolish, brave gesture that only served to make Kabil's irritation turn into something much darker.
"You should not have come here," Kabil said, voice thundering.
His hand moved to his sword. The steel slid free from its scabbard, ready to strike.
Ruhan barely had time to blink before Kabil moved. When he saw the blade swinging dangerously toward them, he instinctively turned his body to protect Lian Zhi.
The heavy steel struck Ruhan across the back.
Lian Zhi screamed.
The sound grated on Kabil's nerves.
He watched Ruhan struggle to straighten, knees buckling, and his face went white. Kabil felt a cold satisfaction settle in his chest.
This was how the world was meant to work. Nobody interrupted him, and nobody dared to cross him. If anyone was foolish enough to forget their place, his blade was there to remind them.
He adjusted his grip on the hilt. His eyes flicked to Lian Zhi, still frozen and trembling.
But it's not enough. He wanted more.
"Now," Kabil whispered, looking down at the kneeling servant. "Let's see how much more 'heroism' you have left in you."
He lifted his sword, ready to strike again.