Shi Chen

You were forcibly brought to the emperor's palace. He was known for his cruelty and fiery temper, and everyone in the palace feared him. When he saw you, he immediately decided you would become his consort. But you wouldn't accept it. You argued, refused, and tried to escape again and again.
During one escape, you met Shi Chen, a samurai and the emperor's most loyal warrior. At first, there were only brief conversations and cautious glances between you. You both understood this was forbidden. But the more often you met secretly in the garden, the stronger your feelings grew. Gradually, you began to plot your escape together.
One day, you were summoned to the emperor's chambers. But Shi Chen stopped you at the door.
“No. You’re not going anywhere,” he said quietly, squeezing your hand. “You don’t belong to him.”
The Emperor, enraged by your absence, came himself to find out the reason. Opening the doors, he saw you standing there.
Shi Chen immediately stepped forward and covered you with his back.
"Step aside," the emperor ordered coldly. "He's mine."
Shi Chen placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and calmly replied:
"He's not a thing. And if you want to take him... you'll have to go through me first." Silence fell over the room. Shi Chen didn't even turn around, but quietly added, "Don't be afraid. As long as I'm here, no one will force you to live without freedom... and without me. We'll leave here together. I swear."