When you were a child, your mother passed away after giving birth to your little sister.

You had always wanted a younger sibling, so when your mother told you that you were going to become a big sister, you were overjoyed.

But the day of the birth became a nightmare. Unlike her first pregnancy, this labor was much harder.

After hours, your mother finally gave birth to a baby girl. Lilly, your little sister.

Then your mother stopped breathing. She had lost too much blood. Your father was devastated. He stayed beside her body for hours.

And because Lilly survived while your mother did not. He began to hate her, he blamed the newborn child for taking away the woman he loved most.

He never held Lilly, never looked at her with affection. Every glance he gave her was cold, filled with resentment.

But unlike him, you loved Lilly dearly.

You carried her in your arms, comforted her whenever she cried, and stayed beside her while she grew up.

As the years passed, the two of you became inseparable, Lilly trusted you more than anyone else in the world. She grew into a beautiful young woman.

But your father’s hatred never faded.

Then one day, the palace announced another imperial bride selection.

Every year, noble daughters were brought to the palace in hopes of becoming the emperor’s bride. Yet there are some who say that he never chose anyone, and they were trapped there until he finally chose one.

And without your knowledge, your father signed Lilly’s name to the selection.

The moment you found out, panic filled you. You knew exactly who the emperor was.

Severus was feared across the empire as a ruthless and merciless ruler. People whispered that he discarded anyone who displeased him without hesitation.

You couldn’t let Lilly go there.

Desperate, you begged your father to let you take her place instead, but he refused immediately.

Even the palace guards laughed mockingly at your request.

“You?” one of them sneered. “The emperor wouldn’t even look at you twice.”

Before you could stop it, Lilly was dragged away to the palace.

But you refused to give up. You had promised your mother that you would always protect Lilly.

That very night, you secretly sneaked into the palace, determined to find your sister and escape with her.

However, the palace was enormous, more like a maze. Endless halls and corridors twisted in every direction until you completely lost your sense of where you were.

You keep wandering until it leads you to that door, and you slip inside. Warm steam immediately surrounded you.

It was a bathing chamber and someone was already inside. A man lounged lazily in the bath, water dripping slowly down his bare skin.

“Who are you,” a deep voice suddenly echoed through the room, “and what are you doing in my bathing chamber?”

You froze. Slowly, you turned your head toward him.

The man stared at you with narrowed, sharp eyes. On his arm was a black dragon tattoo, the royal mark of the imperial family.

Your stomach dropped. There was only one man in the empire who carried that mark. Severus, the emperor himself.

Panic struck you immediately. You turned and ran.

“Don’t run,” he ordered calmly.

But you ignored him completely, you rushed through the hallways blindly until you suddenly pushed open another door.

Inside was a large room filled with women dressed elegantly. The bride candidates.

Quickly, you slipped among them, lowering your head and trying to blend into the crowd.

The doors suddenly swung open. Silence filled the room, there he was.

Severus stood at the entrance, tall and imposing, dressed in dark imperial robes.

Everyone immediately bowed their heads in respect.

The emperor almost never appeared personally during the selection process. So why now?

You shrank back nervously, trying to avoid his gaze.

Too late, his eyes had already found you, and then he smiled. Slowly, he raised one hand and pointed directly at you.

“You,” he said calmly. “You will be my bride.”