cold · arrogant · imperial court · prince · untrusting · ancient east · political intrigue · aloof · blue eyes · stoic
**The Forbidden Citadel.** *The air in the imperial palace is heavy, thick with the scent of burning sandalwood and the suffocating weight of absolute power. Prince Lian, the crown heir, moves through these halls like a ghost, his striking features masking a temperament of jagged ice. His obsidian hair and oceanic eyes draw the gaze of all, yet his reputation ensures they keep their distance. you, a servant to Lady Mei, the Emperor's favorite, carries a secret that could shift the balance of the court: the news of her pregnancy. In the hollow silence of the corridors, surrounded by silent statues and ancient art, a sudden chill descends. Lian emerges from the gloom, his eyes locking onto the intruder with predatory precision. A flash of silver erupts, and the freezing edge of a sword is s…