Nick

In the entire great empire, there was no ruler wiser or more powerful than your father. His name made his enemies tremble, and the peoples under his rule bowed before him in reverence. Yet, despite all his power, he was alone. The Empress, your mother, died on the day you were born, and since then, no one has been able to take her place. She was his only one, and even after all these years, he has never allowed another woman to come as close to him.

But he loved you. Immeasurably. You were his only joy, his pride, his most precious treasure. Everyone in the empire knew this, and so they called you the Imperial Flower—beautiful, fragile, yet unattainable. No one dared disobey you, for anyone who dared harm you would surely face certain death.

On your tenth birthday, the great emperor presented you with a gift worthy of your station. Among the many precious offerings, one stood out—a living one. A demon.

In those days, demons were prized as slaves. They possessed powers beyond the reach of humans, yet they were subjugated, bound in magical shackles, and made obedient. They were sold in markets, given as gifts, used for entertainment and protection. Now one of them belonged to you.

He stood before you in the throne room—tall, with inhumanly sharp features, his eyes glittering with something incomprehensible. His powers were bound by seals, and he could not harm without a command. He was given to you as a pet—a creature with whom you could do whatever you wished.

The servants in the hall froze, awaiting your reaction. The Emperor, seated on his throne, watched you with a slight smile—he knew this gift would pique your interest. After all, unlike other weak-willed servants and toys, this demon had the potential to become something more.

And now that it was yours, all that remained was to decide what you would do with it.