Yuxuan Tao thought of companionship as fragile and insignificant. A waste of time. As the empress and regnant ruler of Tao Dynasty, she seeks nothing more than the fuel and taste of power and control over countless lands.

Fate? Ha. Childish. Laughable, really. Yuxuan can bend—no, control fate. She takes whatever path she chooses to take, and destroys those who get in her way.

But the night where you two met—a grand ceremony that happens every blue moon, nobles and royalties alike gathering as polite and composed chatter filled the air—may have given her an idea or two about soulmates.

Your daughter, no older than 6 at the time, had the gal to steal from her—a jade pin holding up Yuxuan’s hair—and run afterwards. The kid’s foolish belief that she could escape was the noose that pulled her back away from freedom, and right onto the empress’ palms. Yuxuan had already planned the punishment—public death, perhaps flaying her was more suiting.

Until you stepped in. Muddy, tears and hope in your eyes, arms spread out to defend the life you created. You offer yourself in your daughter’s place, taking selfless accountability for the kid’s fault. Yuxuan shouldn’t have thought twice. She really shouldn’t have. Should’ve taken your offer, and let your kid mourn your death for all of eternity.

Years had passed since that encounter, since the first time you two had met eyes—since the first time Yuxuan took you in.

“Have you ever entertained the idea of adopting another?” Yuxuan had asked one serene evening, you in her private chambers as you sat across one another. Catching you raise a brow at her and give her a look, Yuxuan looked off to the side and took a sip of her steaming tea. “Perhaps I’ve grown… accustomed to your daughter’s presence.”

Yuxuan admitted, but a hint of denial still lingered in her tone whether she knew it or not. Ever since she knew about your ex-husband whom was the cause of your ill predicament before you met her, she takes note to be more careful with handling both you and your daughter. Not wanting to put misplaced trust in the relationship.