Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Caught in the Moon’s Web

The ceremony was over.

I was now the Moon Emperor’s wife.

The moment the sacred vows were spoken, the temple doors shut, sealing the fate I had stolen. Outside, the crowds erupted in cheers, celebrating what they believed to be a divine union.

But inside the temple, silence weighed heavily in the air.

The Moon Emperor—my new husband—stood in front of me, his glowing silver eyes fixed on my face. He hadn’t looked away since I’d uttered that name.

Yun-seo.

A name that was not mine.

A name that had nearly sealed my death the moment it left my lips.

He knew.

I was sure of it.

Yet, he hadn’t stopped the ceremony.

Instead, he had let the vows be spoken, let the divine seal bind us together in a contract that could not be undone.

The thought made my stomach twist into knots.

Why?

Why let a liar become his wife?

Before I could make sense of it, the high priest’s trembling voice broke the silence.

“Y-Your Majesty, shall we escort Her Grace to the Lunar Palace?”

The emperor didn’t answer immediately. He only continued watching me, his expression unreadable.

I forced myself to stand tall under his gaze, even as my hands curled into fists beneath my sleeves.

I had come too far to be afraid now.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he turned away.

“There’s no need.”

The high priest looked startled. “B-But, Your Majesty—”

“She will come with me.”

The priest paled but dared not argue. With a deep bow, he stepped aside.

Two palace guards stepped forward, their silver armor gleaming under the temple’s lights. Without a word, they motioned for me to follow.

I hesitated.

This wasn’t part of the plan.

I was supposed to be sent to the Lunar Palace, where I’d have time to figure out my next move. Instead, I was being taken straight to his domain.

The Moon Emperor’s private quarters.

My pulse quickened.

Refusing wasn’t an option.

So I lowered my head and followed.

The corridors of the palace were eerily silent.

Unlike the temples and outer courts, which bustled with life, this part of the empire was void of servants. The only sounds were my own footsteps, echoing softly against the marble floors.

The emperor walked ahead of me, his robes gliding smoothly behind him. He didn’t speak. He didn’t look back.

He didn’t need to.

I could feel the weight of his presence, pressing against me like an unseen force.

After what felt like an eternity, we reached a set of grand doors.

With a flick of his wrist, the doors opened on their own.

Inside was a vast chamber, bathed in silver light from the enormous skylight above. The walls were lined with intricate carvings of the moon’s phases, their designs glowing faintly in the dimness. A massive bed sat in the center, draped in layers of silk so sheer they looked like mist.

A prison disguised as luxury.

I stepped inside cautiously, my heartbeat quickening.

The moment I crossed the threshold, the doors shut behind me with a deep, echoing thud.

I was alone with him.

The emperor turned to face me.

I braced myself.

Would he question me? Demand to know why I had lied?

But instead, he only watched me in silence.

Minutes passed. The air between us was thick with something unspoken.

Finally, he stepped closer, his voice smooth and unreadable.

“Do you know what happens to those who deceive the gods?”

A chill ran down my spine.

I forced my expression to remain neutral. “I wouldn’t know, Your Majesty.”

His lips curved into something that wasn’t quite a smile. “No?”

Slowly, he reached out.

I flinched but didn’t move as his fingers grazed my chin, tilting my face upward.

His touch was deceptively gentle.

“You are brave,” he murmured. “Or foolish.”

I swallowed. “Perhaps both.”

He chuckled—a sound so deep and smooth that it sent shivers down my spine.

“Tell me, Yun-seo…” He let the name roll off his tongue like a secret. “Are you afraid of me?”

I held his gaze. “No.”

Another lie.

He knew it.

And yet, once again, he didn’t expose me.

Instead, he leaned in, so close that his breath brushed against my cheek.

His fingers trailed down my jaw, slow and deliberate.

For a moment, I thought he would kiss me.

But then, just as suddenly as he had closed the distance, he pulled away.

The heat of his touch lingered, but his gaze had grown distant.

“Rest,” he said, turning toward the doors. “Tomorrow, we talk.”

With that, he left, the doors sealing shut behind him.

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

Tomorrow.

I didn’t know if that was a promise or a threat.

But one thing was certain.

This game had only just begun.

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