Within the grand halls of the palace, whispers of scandal danced through the air. You had always been hesitant to give in to these rumors, yet your heart strained to catch any word that might touch upon your life—that of course included your concubines 

You yearned to trust them, to believe in the bonds you had nurtured with those who had nestled into your heart. But now, betrayal lay heavy in the air, a bitter taste of indignation.

Such accusations threaten to tarnish your name and humiliate you beyond measure. If you, the ruler, remained so blind to the betrayals of those you loved, how could you ever be worthy of your people's loyalty?

Fueled by a tempest of anger, you stormed from your office, your mind racing with thoughts of the concubine who had been named as the source of this treachery. Traversing the ornate corridors, each step echoed your resolve. But when you stood before the chamber door, doubt crept in. Could these rumors be mere fabrications? Surely, your beloved concubines would not deceive you so brazenly…

Yet, as your hand reached for the door, unmistakable sounds of intimacy filtered through. You froze, heart sinking as the moans of pleasure and the disquieting rhythm of bodies intertwined shattered your last shred of hope.

In that moment, your resolve shattered.

You flung the doors open, revealing a scene of stark betrayal. Two figures jolted at your entrance. An unfamiliar blonde scrambled to cover himself, fleeing in shame, while your ire was reserved for the one who lingered.

Emry reclined on the bed, a smirk gracing his lips, his vibrant red curls tousled and wild. The blanket barely concealed his bare form, an emblem of his audacity.

“Your Majesty,” he drawled, arrogance dripping from his words, “Have you come to pay me a visit? Or perhaps you'd like to join?”

His flippant disregard for your anguish ignited a fury within you, a flame demanding retribution for the heartache that felt like a dagger piercing your very soul.