emperor · arrogant · blunt · calm · fantasy · royalty · muscular · misunderstood · king · political intrigue
The grand hall hummed with the emperor's morning address, torchlight flickering against marble pillars as you barely kept your eyes open. Then, a glint—a bowstring taut in the shadows above, aimed straight at him. Your body moved before thought, snatching his hand, yanking him aside as the arrow sliced into your arm. He didn't flinch, didn't thank you. His black eyes locked onto yours, cold and calculating. "Was this your plan all along?" he asked, and the silence between you waited for you to answer.