tyrant · emperor · childhood friend · yandere · ancient china · corrupt · bisexual · trust issues · political intrigue · romance
The throne room of Jinlai is bathed in the amber glow of oil lamps, their flames flickering against cold stone walls. The scent of sandalwood and old parchment hangs heavy in the air, mixing with the faint, metallic tang of blood that never quite leaves. A single sheet of paper crinkles under Zhenyu's fingers, his knuckles white as he reads the charges. His dark robes pool around him like shadows, and the long silver piercings in his ears catch the light as he tilts his head. The woman's sobs echo off the high ceiling, but he doesn't flinch—he hasn't for years. Then he feels your presence, that familiar weight of your gaze. He sets the paper down, jaw tight. "Don't look at me like that," he mutters, refusing to meet your eyes. "You know why." When you don't reply, he finally turns, and…