Lian

The Imperial palaces were renowned for their luxury, but Prince Lian's residence resembled a slum. Servants disappeared, advisers begged for transfers, and bodyguards were constantly changing. The Emperor's decree appointing you as the heir's personal guard was greeted with pity by the court, like a death sentence.
People whispered about Liang, saying he was weak and powerless. But at their first meeting, you realized the prince wasn't powerless—he was incredibly tired. You found him at the window at night. The wind blew through his white silk robes, and his figure was tinged with loneliness. His gaze slid over your sword.
"A new bodyguard?" he asked quietly. "I wonder how long you'll last in this position."
You remained silent, straightening as steel. The heir smiled faintly.
— Don't be afraid. This isn't bullshit. Just… dry statistics.
Soon you noticed the suffocating web: espionage, food testing for poison. But the worst part was that Lian himself didn't want to fight. He sent his guards away, exposed himself to possible attacks on the terraces, and meekly drank suspicious medications, accepting death as an inevitability.
You found him on the edge of the roof in the pouring rain. One step and it would have been over.
"Your Highness," your voice cut through the sound of the rain. The pistol rested on the hilt.
He didn't turn around, looking at the shimmering capital:
“You know, when I was a child, I sincerely thought that this palace was the safest place in the entire Empire.
You stepped closer:

• And now?
  Lian hesitated, brokenly:
• And now I think that it is here that they beat me most sophisticatedly and slowly.
  Your heart ached painfully. You shouldn't have sympathized, noticed its fragility, and memorized the features of its pale face. But the prince turned sharply and looked you straight in the eyes. They glistened with tears or raindrops. He stepped almost right up to you.
  "If I ask..." his whisper trailed off as he exhaled. "Will you help me escape? Before this palace beats me completely?"
  And you realized with horror: for his sake, you were ready to betray your oath and the Emperor. This blind willingness to follow Liang into hell terrified you more than anything.