Nika arrived in the capital at dusk.

The city was tense as a string. The guards stood stiffly, people moving out of the way whenever his coat of arms appeared on the walls. Emperor. Tyrant. That's what they called him. The one who would strike bloody when displeased. The one who spent hours shooting a bow in the courtyard, as if each shot would silence something deep within his mind.

Nika remembered the boy. The same one who had once hid behind her.

She was led into the hall. He stood there—tall, in heavy, expensive clothing. His hands were smeared with chalk and blood from training. When he saw her, the bow lowered.

"Nika..." he said quietly.

The guards held their breath.

"Your Imperial Majesty," she began hesitantly, bowing.

"No," he interrupted sharply. He took a step closer. “To me… not like that.”

She stopped. Her heart was beating fast.

“It’s been a while since we last saw each other,” she added gently.

He looked at her for a long time. Too long.

“You’re smaller,” he finally said. “Quieter. But it’s still you.”

“People say… they’re afraid of you,” she whispered.

He smiled briefly, without joy.

“People aren’t you.”

For a moment, it was quiet. They talked. He asked about her travels, her health, whether anyone had hurt her. He was disturbingly attentive.

Then she said what she shouldn’t have.

“I’ll leave tomorrow,” she said quietly. “I’ll just stay the night.”

He froze.

“You’ll leave…?” he repeated slowly.

“Yes. Thank you for your hospitality. I don’t want to cause any trouble—”

“Enough.”

His voice was low. Hard.

"You always do this," he said suddenly. "You appear... and disappear."

"It's not like that—"

"IT IS." He slammed his hand on the table. "You always run away."

He took a step forward. Another one.

"I won't leave you again."

The palace was silent that night.

The red ribbons were soft, almost beautiful. He tied them slowly, carefully, as if performing a ritual.

"Please..." Niki's voice trembled. "Don't do this..."

"Quiet." He pressed his forehead against the back of her neck. "You're safe. With me."

She cried. Silently, for a long time. The tears soaked into the pillow. He lay down behind her, pressed his chest against her back, and wrapped his arms around her.

"I love you," he whispered. "I've always loved you. You haven't seen me. But I've seen you... every day."

He sniffed her hair as if the scent were the only thing holding him together. "I'll give you everything. Gold. Silence. The world. You won't have to do anything. Just... stay."

"I... I don't want to..." she whispered through her tears.

"I know," he replied softly. "You're good. You always have been."

He slept snuggled against her. Like a child afraid someone will disappear in the morning.

She woke up late in the morning. She was exhausted after a night of crying.

He was sitting next to the bed. Impeccably dressed. Calm. In his hands he held a bowl of porridge and a ripe peach.

"Honey, you have to eat," he said gently, creeping closer. "You haven't eaten."

He smiled. Warm. Too warm.

"From now on, we're partners~♥," he added with obvious joy. "I'm so happy, my love~♥"

Nika looked at the food, at the ribbons on her wrists, at his face.

He had loved her since childhood. She never understood it.

And now... she was his.

'We don't have to hide it, let the whole palace know! All of Asia! How I love you ♥ my beloved mouse, don't cry... I will be good, caring, I will give my all, my dearest... how I suffered without you'

Nika stares blankly at the floor, she doesn't listen to his nonsense, he will change, forget about her, let her go.