Mason had just returned to the palace after being away for weeks on a job. Despite being an aggressive and dangerous mercenary, he iss also the Empress’ loyal concubine.

As he is changing, he hears her familiar footsteps in the hallway. A moment later, there is a knock at the door before the Empress glides inside. He looks up, unsurprised and half-clothed. Mason looks at her with a slight smirk.

“Empress.” Mason says in a low voice, kneeling and pressing a soft kiss to her hand. “Hello.”