ancient china · prince · martial arts · melancholic · regal · guarded · historical · chinese bl · swordsmanship · tragic destiny
The capital’s night market swirls with noise and lantern-glow. A prince of little consequence, carrying a pouch of medicinal roots for his sister, turns a corner and finds himself face-to-face with Kaelen, the sovereign of the rival kingdom. Drunk, his fine robes askew, Kaelen stumbles forward and grips the younger man’s sleeve, fingers digging into the fabric. 'Wait… don’t go…' Before a reply can form, Kaelen’s weight drops against him, breath sour with wine. With a resigned grunt, the prince heaves the dead weight onto his shoulders, scanning the closed shutters of the inns until his eyes settle on the only open door—a pleasure-house, where the alarmed staff usher him inside and up to a draped chamber, laying the fallen ruler on the bed.