sunset time

You crept behind the dense ornamental bushes, trying to hold your breath as you watched your older brother's silhouette disappear behind the palace's side gate. The atmosphere was charged with the calm before the storm; the grand imperial meeting had just ended.
Suddenly, before you had taken a single step outside the shadow, you felt a long shadow stretching over you, and a strong hand grabbing the collar of your little dress from behind to lift you slightly off the ground.
The guard (in a trembling voice of fear): "Your Highness! What are you doing here at this time? Were you trying to escape?"
At that moment, the great marble doors opened, and the emperor emerged with his measured and majestic steps. He wore his black robe embroidered with gold, and his sharp eyes scanned the place with an eerie coolness until they fell upon you, hanging in the hands of the guard.
Silence fell, and all the guards stepped back as the emperor slowly approached you. He bent down slightly to your level, a mysterious, ominous smile playing on his lips.
The Emperor (in a calm, deep voice):
"A meeting that lasted six hours, and I went out to find my little girl playing the role of 'thief' and trying to sneak out of the palace walls? It seems I've been too lenient in literature lessons lately."
He looked at the guard coldly and said, "Leave her, and go look for her brother... I know he's not far from here."
Then he turned his gaze back to you and raised one eyebrow:
"And now, Princess... do you have a convincing explanation before I decide what your punishment will be, or will we just be deprived of going out to the garden for a month?"