Zhihao—formerly Aaron—stood before the grand double doors of the throne room, his fingers lightly grazing the cool wood. He could feel the weight of the silk robes draped over his shoulders, the heavy crown resting on his head like a leash pulling him into the role he was now forced to play. Behind those doors, an entire court of scheming ministers and officials awaited his arrival, ready to size up the "new" king.
This is fine. Totally fine. His inner voice didn't sound nearly as confident as he would have liked.
He had never imagined being in a situation like this. Back in Seoul, his biggest worry had been which ex-boyfriend would stalk his Instagram or drop passive-aggressive comments on his latest post. Now, he was about to lead a fragile kingdom while surrounded by people who probably wanted him dead.
Zhihao took a breath, adjusting the embroidered robe again. The young king whose body he now occupied had been a pawn, neglected by his father and overshadowed by his ministers. But this new Zhihao? He wasn't playing that role.
A servant standing to the side bowed deeply before cautiously opening the massive doors. The creaking echoed through the corridor, and Zhihao's heart raced, though his face remained the picture of calm innocence. It was a skill he'd honed over years of manipulating lovers into thinking he was harmless, sweet, and pliable. Time to use it on a bigger stage.
As the doors fully opened, Zhihao strode into the throne room with an elegance that belied his inner turmoil. The throne—a massive structure of polished wood and gold accents—loomed ahead. It seemed larger than it had any right to be, a reminder of the impossible burden now resting on his shoulders.
The court fell silent as Zhihao ascended the steps to the throne, all eyes on him. Minister Feng stood to the side, his ever-calculating gaze never leaving Zhihao for a moment. There was something in the man's eyes that suggested he already knew everything about Zhihao—or at least, he thought he did.
"Your Majesty," Feng said, his voice smooth, his bow as deep as custom demanded. "We await your guidance."
Oh, do you now? Zhihao thought, smiling gently as he took his seat on the throne. Guidance was the last thing these people wanted from him. No, what they expected was a puppet to pull strings on. They expected the meek Zhihao who had let his ministers run the kingdom unchecked.
Too bad for them.
"Let's begin," Zhihao said, his voice soft yet commanding, exactly the tone he wanted. He watched as a ripple of surprise flickered through the assembly. The former Zhihao would have stammered, hesitated, maybe even deferred the conversation to Feng or one of the other ministers. But this Zhihao? He'd make them work for their power plays.
Feng stepped forward, clearing his throat as he gestured toward a scroll. "As Your Majesty knows, the Xu Kingdom has been amassing forces near our northern borders. We believe their intent is to expand their territories into Xingli lands. The court seeks your wisdom on how we should proceed. Should we focus on diplomacy or... prepare for war?"
Zhihao blinked, allowing a moment of silence to stretch through the room. Inside, his mind whirled. Memories of the former king told him that the military was in no state to fend off an invasion. The kingdom's coffers were depleted, the army weakened, and their allies... scarce.
So, we're starting with a war problem. Fantastic.
"Minister Feng," Zhihao began softly, casting an innocent smile that dripped with charm. "You have been advising this court for quite some time, haven't you? Surely, your insight must be invaluable in matters such as these."
Feng's eyes narrowed slightly, though his expression remained neutral. "Your Majesty is too kind. However, I believe the decision should come from your wisdom. The ministers and generals will follow your lead."
Oh, you slimy little snake. Zhihao almost laughed at how easily Feng was trying to box him into a corner, forcing him to take responsibility for a decision that could either secure or doom the kingdom. Classic power play. But Zhihao was no stranger to such tactics.
He looked down at the court, spotting General Tian Yi, who stood tall and stoic near the back. The general's presence was hard to miss, his broad shoulders and stern expression giving off an aura of authority. If there was anyone in this room who could save Xingli from crumbling, it was Tian Yi.
Zhihao's gaze lingered on the general, noting the way Tian Yi's eyes sharpened when their gazes met. There was something there—suspicion, but also curiosity. It was clear Tian Yi didn't fully trust him, likely sensing the change in Zhihao's demeanor since the former king's death.
Good. Suspicion means he's paying attention.
"General Tian Yi," Zhihao called out, watching the ripple of surprise across the court at his sudden shift in attention. "What is your assessment of the Xu Kingdom's strength? I value your perspective."
Tian Yi stepped forward, his armor clinking slightly as he bowed. "Your Majesty, the Xu forces are well-trained and highly organized. Their current buildup near the border suggests they're preparing for a swift and decisive strike. If we delay too long, they may find our defenses... lacking."
"That's quite concerning," Zhihao said, tilting his head slightly, his eyes narrowing in mock thoughtfulness. He allowed the faintest smile to tug at the corner of his lips. "It seems you are well-prepared for such matters, General. I imagine your counsel would be... invaluable."
Tian Yi's eyes flickered with something—uncertainty? Annoyance? It was hard to tell. But there was no mistaking the tension in the air. The general bowed his head slightly. "I serve the kingdom, Your Majesty. My only goal is to protect it."
Serious and duty-bound. Cute. Zhihao noted the general's stoicism, but he knew that everyone had their breaking point. And Tian Yi was no exception. He just needed the right... leverage.
"Thank you, General," Zhihao said, letting his gaze linger a bit longer than necessary before turning back to Feng. "It seems we face a serious threat. I trust that you, Minister Feng, have been preparing the court for this moment?"
Feng's expression didn't falter, but Zhihao could see the tension in the minister's shoulders. "We have, Your Majesty. We have considered various diplomatic approaches, though I fear the Xu Kingdom may not be inclined to negotiation."
"Then we will consider all options," Zhihao said, standing from his throne. His eyes swept over the room, meeting each gaze with deliberate precision. "But first, we must understand the true state of our kingdom's strength. General Tian Yi, I would like a full report on the military's readiness by tomorrow."
Tian Yi bowed again, his expression unreadable. "As you command, Your Majesty."
Zhihao smiled, satisfied. He had set the stage. Let them think he was uncertain, that he needed their counsel. Let them plot and scheme. It gave him time to figure out his next move.
Let the games begin.