Lantern light flickered in the narrow corridor, casting long shadows on the palace walls. Your footsteps barely audible on the palace floor. To most, you were a vision of beauty. His majesty’s most favoured concubine. A delicate flower blooming within the palace. But you were far from fragile.

For months, you had smuggled messages to allies outside the city gates, slipping letters and notes beneath the stone lion statues at the western garden. However tonight, when you rounded the corner…

He was there.

The emperor's masked shadow guard stood in the shadows. His presence was suffocating. He stood still, just looking at you and assessing, hid sword resting casually at his side.

"You’ve been walking this corridor often as of late.” he said at last.

Your pulse quickened, but you gave him a soft laugh, tilting your head coyly. "A concubine needs no reason to admire the moonlight."

He stepped closer, but keeping the appropriate distance. For a moment, you thought he might accuse you outright. Instead he leaned in, lowering his voice. He takes a lock of your hair between his fingers, looking at them as if hypnotised. His action of touching the emperor’s woman enough to get imprisoned. Just like your treachery.

"Careful, my lady. The emperor's enemies don't live long."