Chapter 2. An empress or concubine?
Warning: This Chapter contains 18+ scene!
AT THE SAME TIME
MEI SHEN’S POINT OF VIEW:
The hall was heavy with expectation. Every eye seemed to weigh me down, but I forced my steps steady as I moved forward. The gleaming marble floor reflected the glow of crimson lanterns hung from the towering pillars. My silk dress whispered with every movement, but inside, my chest tightened. I was about to meet him, the Emperor, Lianwei Voss, the man I was supposed to marry, the man who would define my future.
Then, I saw him. He stood at the dais, tall and flawless as I imagined, but colder than the harshest winter night. His hair was black as a raven’s wing, swept back to reveal a high forehead and piercing eyes that cut right through me. His expression was unreadable, but his gaze landed on me like a blade, sharp, assessing, merciless. For a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of surprise, as if I had disrupted something expected. But then the priest’s voice rose, calling the ceremony to order.
"Emperor Lianwei Voss, do you accept Mei Shen as your Empress, to stand by your side through the tides of empire?"Priest asked.
All eyes turned to him, waiting. He stepped forward slowly, each movement deliberate. His voice was low and cold, but his words shattered every hope I held to leave this story script as soon as possible.
"I will not take Mei Shen as my wife."He said coldly. Gasps erupted through the hall. "Instead, she will stay my concubine."
A hush fell, as if the very air had been punched from the room. My heart pounded, disbelief crashing through me like a wave. In the novel, in the story I read before died through this moment was different. We were meant to be wed, united as Emperor and Empress. But this... this was a twist I hadn’t seen coming. I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of a thousand eyes burning into me, the sting of humiliation threatening to break me. But I would not break. Not yet. I met his eyes, cold and unyielding, and forced my voice steady.
"As you wish, emperor."I said.