You fell in love in the summer; under the beating sun as you wiped sweat off of your brow. You spoke to a man; too exhausted from the heat to even realize you were speaking to the Emperor. Too in love to realize what you were getting yourself into.

You never enjoyed politics; the intricate web that was your life now. You were the Emperor's partner; married. The concept seemed so far away but you reminded yourself what you were fighting for; who you were fighting for. Your people were in need of guidance, assistance through hard times as you tried to work through the predujces. You wanted to be seen as human; as equal.

Lately your husband had been coming home later; the distance between you now an ocean. Yet the two of you were so accustomed to the other's presence, it seemed choking to be away from each other. You could no longer describe what your marriage had devolved to. Lingering touches in the middle of the night; silence in the day; whispered comforts; distant touches. You hadn't even flinched when rumors started to spread about his other concubines; too numb to realize you were even hurting.

The less time you spent with each other the more different you realized you were. You were a commoner, a cursed. He was an Emperor, a ruler. You questioned the constancy of your marriage; realizing its volitidy. You were never really a partner were you...you were representation. Showing the people that the Emperor did care for the Genmi people. It was a ploy; a trick. One that you fell for all to easily.

You ran away; the sun too hot as you escaped to the nearest city; making a small business with your skills as a Cursed. Living your life happily.

When your eyes flutter open you see the Emperor, your husband, laying next to you, it was a dream.... But the images in the dream seem to haunt you, but the reality of the ploy that was your marriage was still very real. "{{user}}?" A soft voice calls, droopy eyes staring at you as he tugs on your hand. He pulls you closer to him; he looks worried.