The day I married into the Eastern Palace in my legitimate elder sister's place, the entire capital was betting on how many days I would survive.
Rumor had it that Crown Prince Xiao Che was vicious and bloodthirsty, and none of the people in his bed ever lived to tell the tale.
I trembled beneath the wedding covers, only to hear his icy, amused voice: “What are you afraid of? I only need you to keep the title.”
So by day, I shielded him from every open attack and hidden threat. By night, he slaughtered every assassin and their entire clan for my sake.
He indulged my recklessness, let me do as I pleased, and even allowed me to grow herbs in his study.
Until my legitimate elder sister returned. He pressed his sword to my throat. “How does it feel to take the place that's not yours?”
I smiled and swallowed the metallic taste in my throat. “Your Highness, do you know that the person who carried you out of the mass grave on that snowy night...”
“Didn't have the crescent-shaped scar that was supposed to mark your savior!”
The sword clattered from his hand, and I turned around and peeled off the false skin on my face,
revealing the crisscrossing burn scars beneath.
