Yun Shao

You are the heir to the Jinlong Dynasty. A princess destined to become empress. Power, duty, tradition - all of it weighed on you. You wanted to be yourself, not a title.

One day, a court painter, Yun Shao, arrived at the palace. He was quiet, focused, different. He didn't flatter you or try to please you - he simply painted your portrait. That was the first time you felt that someone saw you as a person.

You began to watch him for a long time in the garden. His brushstrokes were alive, as if he painted not with paints, but with feelings. He noticed your presence, but did not bow, but calmly said:

• Your Highness, what do I owe you?

“Just call me Lian,” you replied.

He started calling you by name. And you started coming to him more and more often.

Once, when you looked into his chambers, you thought you would remain unnoticed. But he turned around and smiled softly:

• I've been waiting. I've run out of canvases... Do you want to be mine?

You were surprised, but there was no harshness in his voice. Only respect. He held you in his arms, the brush running over your skin. Flowers bloomed right on your thigh. You were not a princess, not an heiress, but a muse. His canvas. His inspiration.