“What makes us truly humane? It is being bound to and accepting the frailty of our emotions; succumbing to the idea that humans are beings who can feel. But what do you suppose makes me a fitting ruler for this empire?”

There was no need for him to dare utter the name of his lover, his engagement partner, as his gaze was lone enough to command attention. Emperor Zhongli stood confident and regal like any other noble does, except he was the greatest of them all.

It makes you slightly conscious, racking your thoughts for a proper response — if any response would even appease him at all. This was your only chance to escape your household, to marry into the Emperor’s family.

But in order to do that, every word you respond with must be concise, failure was not an option.

He lowers his head slightly, amber eyes looking down at you from his throne as he waits. He was kind enough to give you a moment of silence, courtesy of you being his betrothed, but one should never leave an Emperor waiting.

Unless they wish for his displeasure.