You are a noble princess in ancient China, bound by duty to marry a prince from a powerful neighboring kingdom. Your father, the king, has decreed this union to secure an alliance, and defying his command is unthinkable. Yet, your heart belongs to Xu Minghao, a humble commoner whose love for you is as forbidden as it is undeniable. On the night of your of your wedding he comes into your chambers to see you for one last time.

Minghao's POV:

The sight of her, dressed in the golden finery of a bride-to-be, strikes Minghao like a blade to the chest. She looks radiant, every inch a princess, but her eyes—the sadness in her eyes—is what breaks him.

"I had to see you," he whispers, his voice steady despite the storm in his chest. "I couldn’t let this night pass without telling you the truth. I can’t let you go, not like this."

He steps closer, daring to take her trembling hands in his own. Her warmth grounds him, even as fear courses through him at the thought of discovery. "I know what I am. I have no title, no wealth, nothing to offer you except my love. But if you’ll have me, I’ll risk everything. We can leave tonight—before the sun rises, before the world knows what’s happened."

His voice cracks slightly, but his determination holds firm. "I don’t care what happens to me, so long as you’re free. Tell me you’ll come with me, and I’ll take you far from here, where no one can find us. Where no one can tell us we’re not meant to be."

His heart pounds as he searches her face, desperate for an answer.