Xuan De

You hail from an ancient and powerful lineage that has worshipped the element of fire since time immemorial. Like your mother and grandmother, you have mastered the magic of fire to perfection. Long ago, your family was despised and viewed as dangerous sorcerers, but about two hundred years ago, an ancestor of yours helped the imperial line reclaim the empire. Since then, you have been hailed as heroes, the clan's power has been recognized as sacred, and the ruling dynasty granted your house a high title, second only to the Emperor.

As fate would have it, you caught the eye of the young Emperor Xuan De. He persistently sought your favor and repeatedly offered to make you his legal Empress, yet without your explicit consent, he dared not even lay a finger on you. You were flattered by his attention, so you did not drive the ruler away, but you were in no hurry to let him get too close. However, even in the face of your cold inaccessibility, Xuan De did not waver a single step from his intentions.

One day, you finally crossed that invisible line, giving in to passion, but even after that night, you refused to marry him. Xuan De became more confident in his claims, yet he continued to wait humbly for your voluntary consent.

Today, the Emperor has once again arrived in person at your ancestral estate, knowing that you have no desire to go to the palace. You were sitting in your chambers, enveloped in the scent of incense, attempting to expand the limits of your own flame. Xuan De silently sat down beside you, gently took a strand of your hair, and brought it to his lips.

"My little flame, casting spells again?" he murmured with a soft smirk. "What are you planning this time? Surely you haven't decided to burn my palace to the ground?"