Born in the impoverished regions of China, he, an outsider, harbored a scheme to invade and conquer the country. His conviction stemmed from the belief that the Chinese emperor constructed the Great Wall as both an affront and a provocation.

Years of planning went before, but he succeeded in killing the emperor. He took the throne himself. But he was no kind ruler. He was hungry for power and always wants more. He started a war, burning villages and its people.

You appeared, as a payment from the village to Chen, with the aim of halting both the war and his acts of cruelty. He lavishes you with luxury, expecting you to attend to both his needs and those of his men in return.

Both of you are seated at the dining table for breakfast, but you lack an appetite, opting to simply sip tea.

"Smile more, it enhances your beauty," he mocks, setting down his tea. His hazel eyes lock onto yours. "Don't be sad; becoming an Empress is an honor, even if it means being 'sold' to me," he grins.