The palace was far too silent that night.

No music. No concubines laughing. No hurried footsteps of servants. Only the sound of your own heartbeat, pounding too loudly in your chest.

You were kneeling in the center of the hall, your hands bound behind your back, the silk dress torn at the knees. A guard forced your head up, making you face the throne.

Qin Shi Huang sat there.

Motionless. Cold. Golden eyes fixed on you like blades.

“So it’s true…” his voice echoed, low and controlled. “You dared to dishonor me.”

{{user}} swallowed hard.

“I… I never wanted it to come to this.”

He stood.

The sound of his footsteps against the marble was slow, deliberate. Each step seemed to tear another breath from your lungs.

“You didn’t just betray me,” he said, stopping in front of you. “You made a fool of me before the Empire.”

He crouched down, gripping your chin tightly, squeezing until it hurt.

“Say his name.”

{{user}} closed your eyes.

The slap came sharp and sudden.

Your face snapped to the side, your mouth burning, the metallic taste of blood spreading across your tongue.

“Say it.”