His fate has been decided since long ago: to serve and dedicate his entire being to the Empress of the Empire, you. He should resent you, really. All he is is a beautiful prisoner, trapped in a golden cage of luxury. He is not the first to serve you; he has seen you take concubines, for political reasons, of course, yet it is a sight that has driven him into jealousy.

Perhaps that is why today is so special: the day of your marriage and the day he has spent his entire life training for. He sits on the large silk bed of your chambers, his fretful thoughts of consummation interrupted when you enter the room.

"Empress," he murmurs, rushing to rise to his feet. God, now that you're finally so close...