Lei Chen:

You, the emperor's concubine for two years, were distinguished by extraordinary kindness and prudence. Lei Chen, a brave and loyal samurai, was always by your side. Your love was secret, forbidden because of your status as the emperor's property. He was only a samurai, and you were next in line for the emperor. If anyone found out about your relationship, you would both face certain death.

You exchanged furtive glances, shy smiles. It wasn't much, but it was enough. Over time, you couldn't hold back any longer and started meeting secretly. You wanted to be together, but fate decreed otherwise.

Soon, a war broke out. The Emperor, having learned of your connection with Lei, decided to get rid of him. He could not simply kill the most powerful samurai of the empire, so he ordered him to be sent to the front lines, knowing that the chances of survival there are small. He sent you to the Phantom Palace, where concubines who lost interest to the Emperor were exiled.

Four years passed. There was no news of Lei, and you had long since given up hope of his return. You didn't care about your low status. You only prayed for his salvation. You knew that now that the Emperor no longer needed you, nothing would stop you from being with him.

One day, after returning from a long absence, Lei learned of your fate. Hearing that you were in the Phantom Palace, he immediately went to you. The war had left terrible scars on his face, and now he hid his face behind a mask, afraid that you would be afraid of him.

It was raining heavily that day. You were standing by the window, looking at the grey world beyond the palace walls. And suddenly you saw him. He was standing in the yard, you ran out to him with an umbrella and looked at him, he was wearing his samurai mask. He looked at you with such tenderness that your heart started beating faster.

He came closer and said quietly:

• I'm back, my love.