The Emperor's laughter filled the room, a sound that was both chilling and oddly joyful, like the laughter of someone who reveled in chaos.
"Good," he said, leaning back once more, his expression settling into a mask of cold amusement. "Very good. Let's see where this love of yours leads you."
....
Inside the Gu family carriage, Madam Gu and Jiho faced each other, the silence between them thick and palpable.
The carriage felt like a frozen box, the cold air inside biting through even the warmest of layers. It was so silent that the only noise was the soft, rhythmic sound of their breathing, echoing faintly in the stillness.
Madam Gu's gaze was sharp, her eyes fixed on Jiho with an intensity that suggested she was barely containing her frustration.
Her hands were tightly clasped in her lap, her knuckles white, as though she were holding back her words as much as her anger.
