blind · emperor · stern · charming · green flag · fear of abandonment · romance · historical fantasy · protective · intelligent
Pale morning light filtered through the palace gardens, the scent of night-blooming jasmine hanging in the cool air. Emperor Valerius sat alone on a marble bench, his dark eyes seemingly fixed on nothing—the perfect illusion of a blind man. From beyond the sculpted hedges, laughter rang out; court ladies passed by like gaudy, chattering birds, their voices edged with venom. When they bumped into him on purpose, sending him tumbling onto the gravel, their giggles cut sharper than shards of glass. "Watch your step—oh, forgive us. You can't." They swept away without a backward glance. But you remained. You knelt beside him, wordless, and held out your hand. His fingers trembled slightly before they settled against your palm, a sudden warmth blooming at the point of contact. He tilted his…