The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the emperor's palace. The vast expanse of the royal court gleamed with polished stone and gold, but Yue Xiang felt none of the warmth. Her platinum blonde hair, a striking contrast to the dark-haired courtiers and nobles, marked her as an outsider. Her people were gone, wiped out in cold blood, and here she was, bowing to their killer.
Yue Xiang stood in the center of the grand hall, her head bowed as the emperor's courtiers whispered and snickered behind their delicate fans. She could not understand their words, spoken in a language that was foreign to her, but the mocking tones were unmistakable. 'Yue Xiang,' what a ridiculous name, given to her only because they could not pronounce her real one.
The emperor's voice cut through the chatter, deep and commanding. "Yue Xiang," he called, beckoning her forward. Dark eyes of obsidian drilled into her like sharpened blades. It would have done her no good to be defiant, not in this case. The emperor's court was a gilded cage, one she had been thrust into to secure her bloodline for him, to strengthen his descendants with the power of the dragons. But Yue Xiang was no docile bird; she was of the earth, strong and unyielding. Though, she was considered the weakest of her kind. The man tugged and grabbed at her as he circled, examining her with a critical eye.
"You would think someone who was supposed to be the last of the dragon's blood would be more impressive," he sneered, grabbing her chin. "She will bear many children, no?" He laughed, the sound cruel and mocking.
His courtiers tittered and giggled in agreement, and Yue Xiang's heart sank. She was nothing more than a prize, a means to an end. "Vra'kath zi. Thar'nar izz," she said softly, her voice carrying the weight of her defiance despite the emperor's derision. "I hate you. I will kill you." The words, spoken in a dead language, were understood by no one but her.
The emperor's smirk faltered for a moment, confusion flickering in his eyes. The courtiers fell silent, their laughter dying on their lips as they exchanged puzzled glances. The ancient tongue was foreign to them, its meaning lost in the translation of their own scorn. "Ah, the dragon's blood speaks in riddles," the emperor said with a sneer, releasing her chin and stepping back. "How quaint. Perhaps your tongue is as useless as you are."
Just as he was about to strike her, the emperor's children, each a product of his many unions, entered the court in a procession that was both elegant and commanding. At the forefront was Crown Prince Jiahao, the emperor's eldest son. Dressed in a robe of deep blue silk, embroidered with golden dragons that coiled and twisted in intricate patterns, he wore the symbol of his rank—a jade pendant engraved with the imperial seal.
Following closely behind was Prince Liwen, the second son. Liwen had a more youthful appearance compared to his elder brother, his face framed by waves of glossy black hair that fell just past his shoulders. His attire was a rich emerald green, accented with silver thread that caught the light and shimmered like a river in the sun. His demeanor was less reserved than Jiahao's; he exuded a charisma and warmth that drew attention. His smile, though charming, was often accompanied by a hint of mischief.
Next came Prince Jiankai, the third son, whose personality was that of a scholar, calm and studious. Unlike the other princes, Jiankai kept his hair in a topknot, fastened by a gold pin. He was not dressed in finery, instead clad in a simple but elegant grey and white robe, adorned with silver filigree. Seemingly lost in thought, he walked a slower pace behind his brothers.
Among the Emperor Jianlong's children was Princess Mei, the eldest daughter. Mei's beauty was the subject of countless poems and songs. Her long, black hair cascaded in soft waves, adorned with delicate silver hairpins shaped like blossoms. She wore a gown of shimmering lilac silk that highlighted her grace and poise. Her eyes, large and expressive, were framed by thick lashes, and her smile was serene, radiating a quiet confidence that belied her youth.
The youngest of the emperor's children was Princess Lian, a striking figure with an ethereal beauty. She wore a gown of translucent white silk, embroidered with delicate patterns of lotus flowers in pale pink. Her demeanor was gentle and reserved, but her eyes, though soft, held a subtle hint of arrogance.
Left and right, the courtiers and nobles parted to allow the princes and princesses through. They bowed low as they approached, the rustling of their silken garments adding a soft ambiance to the hushed atmosphere. Lian cared not for the fawning of the courtiers, nor the pomp and ceremony of the occasion. As if she were still a young child, she greeted her father, bowing low and then quickly walking up the steps to his throne. She sat at his feet, her posture straight and rigid, and folded her hands in her lap. "Father," she spoke as she turned her head to look at the stranger in their midst. "Who is this peculiar woman? She looks...odd."
The emperor's hand rested gently on Lian's head, his fingers brushing her ebony hair with a tenderness that was seldom seen from him amongst the royal court. He looked up, his gaze sweeping over the gathered courtiers before settling on Yue Xiang. With a wave of his hand, he beckoned his sons forward. "Come, my sons. Allow me to introduce you to our honored guest."
Crown Prince Jiahao stepped forward first, his expression a mask of restrained curiosity. He inclined his head in a respectful bow, though his eyes remained focused on Yue Xiang, studying her with an inscrutable gaze. No words were spoken; the silence was heavy and charged with anticipation.
As the princes approached, Yue Xiang's gaze remained fixed on the ground, her body tense and rigid. Palpitations thrummed in her chest, her heart pounding against her ribcage. She felt as though she were suffocating, the walls closing in around her. To her, they were all the same, the emperor and his sons—vipers, snakes, and spiders, each one waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. "This is Yue Xiang, the last of those savages who called themselves dragonborn."
Mei twirled her fingers around Yue Xiang's platinum blonde hair, the color so much brighter than her own. "Why have you brought a barbarian into the imperial palace, Father?" she asked, her voice sweet and melodic, yet tinged with an underlying note of contempt. "Surely this...this beast has no place here among us."
"She will join our family by marriage, and bring the blood of the dragons into our lineage," the emperor explained, his tone dismissive. "A beast, she may be, but the strength of the dragon's blood cannot be ignored. Jiahao, Jiankai, Liwen." Each of them looked to him, unsure of what was expected of them. "One of you will take her to be wed and bear the next heir."
"You must be joking." Jiahao clearly did not see the humor. He did not wish to marry her, a savage woman who would never truly belong among them. The dragon's blood may have coursed through her veins, but that was no reason to wed her. He would sooner cut off his own arm than marry her. "I will not share a bed with a filthy heathen."
Aversion colored his tone, and his gaze slid away from Yue Xiang as though she were a stain on the polished stone. Jiankai, standing to Jiahao's right, cast a sidelong glance at his elder brother before addressing the emperor. "Father, with all due respect, this decision is unprecedented. What is to be gained from forcing one of us to marry her? If the dragon's blood is so important, should we not consider a different approach?"
Liwen, the youngest prince, looked at Yue Xiang with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "Father, is there no other way to secure the dragon's blood without this… arrangement? Perhaps we could find a more suitable solution."
"The decision has been made," he said firmly. "You are to carry out your duty as required. The strength of the dragon's blood is too significant to ignore, and this union will ensure its preservation. I will not entertain further discussion on this matter."
Mei, seemingly unfazed by her brothers' objections, leaned closer to Yue Xiang. "It appears you are not only an unwelcome addition but also a burden to us all," she said, her tone dripping with venom. "I hope you understand how much I plan to make your life a living hell." Her eyes glinted with cruel amusement as she spoke, savoring the discomfort she caused. Laughing softly, she turned her attention back to the emperor. "As you wish, Father. I will take it upon myself to guide this poor, misguided girl. I will show her the ways of our people and make her into a proper woman worthy of a prince."
Jiankai, Liwen, and Jiahao exchanged looks of dismay, their reluctance to accept the emperor's command evident. However, the tension in the room was broken by a cheerful laugh, one that echoed off the stone walls. "Oh, what an interesting situation," Lian giggled, clapping her hands together. "I wonder which of you will end up with her? How amusing!" She turned her head towards the emperor. "I think you made a wonderful choice, Father. She certainly is...different from us."
Yue Xiang's gaze lifted and her eyes met the emperor's. She felt nothing but contempt and disdain for the man, but she had no choice but to submit to his wishes. They all glared at her, except for Lian. She wondered how this would end, how her future would play out. She was now part of the royal court, but would she be able to survive here, where treachery and betrayal were commonplace?