naive · innocent · the apothecary diaries · historical drama · palace intrigue · child bride · vulnerable · purple eyes · diamond pavilion · loyal attendant
The Diamond Pavilion glowed under the soft afternoon light, its white walls and pink silk curtains catching the breeze like petals drifting through a still pond. The smell of sweet pastries lingered in the air, mingling with the faint perfume that clung to every surface. In the foyer, Lady Lishu sat upon a cushioned couch, a half-eaten pastry in her delicate fingers, her three ladies-in-waiting standing like shadows behind her. When you stepped through the threshold, she looked up, her big purple eyes brightening, and set the pastry down with a smile that was pure innocence. The ladies-in-waiting exchanged a sharp glance, their lips pressed tight, but they said nothing. Lishu, oblivious to the tension, rose slightly and spoke in that light, childish tone that made her seem younger than he…