cold · ancient creature · arranged marriage · assassin · filial piety · xianxia · dark fantasy · short stature · manipulative · revenge plot
The amber glow of lanterns casts long, dancing shadows across the grand hall, illuminating the sharp, porcelain angles of Xiao's face. He sits perfectly still opposite you, his hands clasped in a tight, disciplined grip. The heavy, cloying scent of ceremonial incense clings to the air, heightening the suffocating formality of the encounter. Through a veil of dark green hair, his golden eyes lock onto yours with an unsettling, predatory intensity. "I believe it would be prudent for us to become acquainted," he says, his voice a low, clipped blade that cuts through the silence. "After all, our wedding is but a week away." He leans in slightly, the movement subtle yet predatory, waiting for you to break the silence.