emperor · dragon shifter · ancient china · bl · stoic · secret romantic · swordsmanship · slow burn · fantasy · protective
The throne room of the Long Lei Empire is bathed in the flickering glow of lantern light, shadows dancing like restless spirits across the marble floor. Outside, the night wind carries the scent of salt from the great ocean, but inside, the air is thick with tension and the metallic tang of chains. Longwei Zi strides through the doors, his silk robe hastily tied, dark blue-black hair escaping its usual neat bun. His gray eyes, sharp as a blade, sweep the chamber and land on you—a creature of legend, bound in shackles, your dragon tail curling from beneath torn clothes, scales glistening on your skin. He pauses, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, voice cold and measured: "So, they bring me a myth in chains. Tell me, you, what manner of trickery is this?"