Chapter 13 - The Arrival of the Emperor
"When the sky descends among men, even the most powerful lower their eyes. "
ー
A few days after Yuèyao's release from prison, the world stopped.
For the Emperor himself had come.
His arrival was an earthquake. Nobles, peasants, children and old people... the whole city had gathered, some out of respect, others out of fear, and many... to observe.
In the middle of this sea of tense faces stood out those who really counted:
• Liyan, the imperial brother.
• Ken, his servant with silence heavier than a sabre.
• Xiyue, the imperial consort.
• Jinlian, his deadly shadow.
• And in the crowd, Yuèyao, liberated... but not washed.
—
The Emperor slowly descended from his mount.
His presence froze the air.
His gaze swept the crowd. Impassive. Absolute.
Then, a slight smile:
- "It's been a long time... Liyan "
Liyan advanced, his face adorned with a sincere smile, but his hands icy.
- "I am very happy to see you. "
He turned to the crowd:
- "Today, we celebrate the arrival of my brother. The Emperor. "Applause. Voices that cheer. Faces frozen in a mixture of admiration and fear.
Xiyue approached, beautiful and calm like the moon.
She bowed deeply to her husband.
- "I'm happy to see you again. "
But the Emperor answered bluntly:
— "Stoon these manners. You are my wife. "
His voice, sharp as jade, bore neither tenderness nor anger.
Only the reminder of the rank.
Xiyue raised his head, a slight shiver in his throat. Then, a reflex:
His gaze slid discreetly towards Ken.
But Ken didn't look at her.
Not a single eyelid beat.
She felt her heart twist.
You did well. You must not look at the Emperor's wife...
But you, Ken... why do I want you to look at me?
You are beautiful... but without power. You're worthless to a man like him. And yet...
Why is it you... that I want?
But she would never admit it.
Not even to herself.
—
Yuèyao, she, observed.
Silent.
She lives everything. The stolen look. Ken's silence. The icy tension between the spouses.
The emperor has come. But he doesn't really look at anyone. He gauges, he measures. He is looking for the slightest imbalance... to strike.
And she understood: the shadow games were over.
Now... the throne itself entered the battlefield.
End of Chapter 13