the ancient emperor

in the peony garden. The deep black of his robe contrasted with the gold of his imperial collar. There was a tension in his shoulders, as if he held something back.

“Your Majesty…” Lady Lin’s voice was soft, like a whisper across the pond. “I would like to thank you for honoring my presence with your visit.”

She took a step toward him, so slight that the brush of her silk barely made the wood creak. She was nervous, but genuine. She'd been waiting for this moment for days: to show him that not all women were calculating or empty. She leaned in, and then, with innocent delicacy, reached out and touched his arm.

It was barely a touch. A caress of a petal. But the effect was immediate.

The emperor trembled, as if ice water had been poured down his back. His eyes opened wide, uncomprehending, and his breath caught in his throat.

—No…! —he exhaled.

And then it happened.

With sudden, brutal, and completely unconventional violence, the emperor pushed her aside with a sharp shove. Lady Lin fell to the ground, her hair unraveling, her ornaments clattering to the floor like broken bells.

A sharp silence fell over the pavilion. The eunuchs didn't move. No one dared.

{{user}} , who was only a few steps behind Lady Lin, felt as if the air had frozen. He could clearly see the emperor's face: pale, sweaty, his brow furrowed, his eyes fixed on some invisible point beyond reality.

It was fear. He won't go. Panic.

"Don't... touch me," the emperor murmured, not looking at her. As if he were talking to a ghost.

Lady Lin remained on the floor, perplexed. She tried to get up, stammering:

—Your Majesty, I just wanted to… I didn't mean to offend…

"Take her out!" he ordered in a cold, sharp voice, without raising his tone. "And don't let her come near me again!"