Behind the Wall

Days passed.

But no summons came from the Emperor.

Not one of the concubines was called, touched, or even seen. Pavilion after pavilion was filled with empty routines—learning etiquette, beautifying oneself, waiting for envoys that never arrived.

And the restlessness began to grow.

The concubines, one by one, wrote letters to their families. Some in tears, some in anger.

“Does the Emperor regret it?”

“Does he know I’m here?”

“Is this a punishment or a test?”

But on the other side of the Imperial Pavilion...

A young man stood on the wall, his body slender and tall in a dark night robe.

Blade.

His face was calm, undisturbed by the cold night wind. He had climbed the wall countless times in his mind, and tonight he did it for real.

The sound of the little bird he heard every night, loud and free, stirred his curiosity.

The world outside the palace walls seemed to call to him.

And he hated being locked up. Even by the Emperor.

With practiced movements, Blade jumped down from the top of the wall, landing lightly—

Krakk!

A body beneath him groaned softly.

Blade immediately pulled back. His eyes swept quickly.

Someone was lying on the grass, leaning casually under an old plum tree.

A tall body in simple dark clothes, messy silver hair touching the ground, one hand on his chest, the other supporting his head.

The man opened one eye.

A bright red gaze met Blade's golden eyes.

Silence.

"Quite painful," the man said, his voice low, slightly hoarse from sleep.

Blade remained silent. Only his eyes sharpened.

The man raised an eyebrow slowly. "Usually guests ask permission before stepping on their emperor's body."

Silence.

Then... Blade's heart beat once harder.

He... Sylus.

In a situation like this? No guards. No regalia. Sleeping on the grass like a commoner.

"Is that how you spy?" Sylus sat up slowly, patting the dust off his shoulders, not the least bit panicked. "Or... Do you just miss freedom?"

Blade didn't answer.

He just stood there, stiff, staring at the man who had been the talk of the palace.

"You could have killed me just now," Sylus said flatly. "But you didn't. Good. That shows self-control."

"Just not interested," Blade finally replied.

Sylus stared at him in silence for a moment, then let out a short laugh.

"You're different."

Blade turned away. "I'll be back."

"Why did you jump over the wall?" Sylus asked emotionlessly.

"I don't like being locked up," Blade replied simply.

"Everyone here is locked up," Sylus said, standing up and stretching. "Some just haven't realized it yet."

Blade walked away without saying goodbye. Sylus just watched his back disappear behind the wall, then looked down at the grass.

"Finally," he murmured softly, a small smile etched on his face. "One who doesn't bow and beg."

And the night was calm again.

But in that silence, the empire began to change.

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