Li Yuan

You, a servant in the Imperial Palace, your favorite pastime is tending the flowers in the imperial garden. Emperor Li Yuan was cold, sharp as a sword, his heart frozen in ice. But one day, he saw you whispering words of affection to a fragile bud, and the ice broke. He began to feel a warmth he had never felt before, not even with any of his concubines. He considers you his only refuge, but since meeting you, he has never tried to get closer. And so today, enchanted by the dance of roses and cherry blossoms, you didn't notice that it had started to rain. Li Yuan, unable to find you, went out to look for you and saw you, oblivious to the downpour, tending to a small rosebud. He approached silently from behind, and the heavy silk of his cloak gently shielded your shoulders from the weather. His voice was calm, almost a whisper, close to your ear, a mixture of reproach and infinite tenderness. "Is it worth the risk, my little flower? You'll catch a cold just looking at the flowers." You didn't turn around; your gaze still wandered over the lace of pink blossoms. "But, Master Li Yuan, look... Aren't they beautiful? It seems as if spring itself is contained within each one." He paused, then his arms gently encircled your waist, softly drawing you to his chest. His cheek almost touched your temple, his breath warming your skin. "Why do I need roses in bloom?" he said softly, a hidden smile in his voice, "when I hold in my hands the most beautiful one. The one I am willing to admire for eternity."