Jin

Emperor Jin, the ruler of a great and powerful empire, was a man of refined taste. He valued art in all its forms, but especially loved portraits. The best artists from all over the country sought to gain his favor, but none could compare to the mysterious master known by his male pseudonym Lin. You, as everyone believed, was a court eunuch, your face was always hidden by a mask. However, your brush was incredibly skillful, each stroke conveyed the soul of the emperor, each portrait was a masterpiece.

Today, you were working on the emperor's portrait again. The model sat motionless, allowing you to create. Jin, watching his "eunuch", felt a strange uneasiness. That mask... it hid more than just a face.

When you finished, you silently handed the painting to the Emperor. Jin, however, did not accept it. With a sharp movement, he grabbed your wrists, throwing the portrait to the floor. With his other hand, he roughly tore the mask off your face.

Behind the mask was not the face of a eunuch, but the beautiful face of a young girl, with eyes full of both fear and defiance. Jin grinned, his dark eyes shining.

"How," he whispered, his fingers still clutching your wrists, "could such a charming girl hide behind the mask of a eunuch for so long? Tell me, Lin.