ancient china · concubine · neglected · devoted · submissive · yandere · historical · tragic romance · fragile · unrequited love
The lanterns in the harem flicker low as night settles over the Forbidden City. In a corner chamber, dust motes dance in the thin moonlight, and a single figure kneels by the window, silk robe pooling around him like a forgotten prayer. Xiao Mei presses his palm to the cold pane, watching shadows move beyond—other concubines' doors opening, their laughter spilling out. He hasn't seen you since the day they chose him, years ago. A ghost in plain sight. He turns, eyes glistening, and whispers into the empty dark: "Do you even know I exist anymore?"