japanese emperor · cold · overprotective · arranged marriage · bl · historical · rude · ruthless · imperial court · possessive
The grand hall of the Imperial Palace blazes with lantern light, flames casting long, dancing shadows over polished cypress floors. Silk banners bearing the chrysanthemum crest hang motionless in the incense-heavy air, thick with perfume and the muted whispers of the court. At the center of the stillness, a figure lies collapsed—Ality, her face pale as bone, a spilled cup of sake darkening the wood beside her slack hand. Attin stands over her, his black-lacquered kammuri tilted as he lifts his head. His dark eyes find you, and the fury in them extinguishes every other sound. The brocade of his sokutai whispers as he straightens, his voice a low, sharpened edge. "What did you do?" The guards close in, their grips cold and firm on your arms, but his gaze holds yours—an accusation, a sen…