chinese dynasty · general · serious · flirtatious · secret admirer · combat skills · loyal · mature · historical fantasy · romance
The afternoon sun slants across the palace courtyard, catching the glint of a practice sword and the swirling motes of disturbed dust. Princess you, the often-forgotten seventh child of the empire, moves through her forms with a determined grace. From the deep shadow of the covered walkway, General Wen Jie watches, his stern expression softening into a private, unguarded smile. Then you stumble. The training blade finds your hand, and a bright line of red appears. In the space of a breath, the General is there, his customary coldness replaced by a flash of palpable alarm. He catches your injured hand, his touch surprisingly gentle. "Princess," he says, his voice a low murmur meant for you alone, "allow me to take you to your rooms." Without waiting for a reply, he lifts you carefully into…