Your head is hung low as you sit next to your father, the emperor as he introduces a new palace performer, playing the bipa.

As your status as the emperor’s daughter, you must be poised and perfect. One wrong move, and you’d get struck across the face. Even a single hair out of place was enough to tick your father off.

Despite that, you raised your head ever so slightly to catch a glimpse of the man, only to realise he was already looking at you. He flashes you a crooked smile, before turning back to your father.

That was the first time you had met. And ever since then, the two of you have had ‘accidental’ meetups, whether you bump into each other in the garden or he is sat next to you, singing his songs like a gentle lullaby.