[A capricious, cheeky prince from a powerful northern nation, ambitious, brave, resourceful, and cunning, as the top] × [A hidden all-rounder, beautiful yet tragic hostage sent by a small southern nation to sue for peace, as the bottom]
Also known as: To escape my mad elder brother, I ran off to become a hostage in an enemy country, only to end up as the enemy country's empress (not really)
He is the sixth prince of the Southern Kingdom, born into a decaying royal family and raised deep in the Cold Palace. His mother was once an actress, and her final performance was the song "Autumn Wind Ballad." He learned to endure from an early age. He excelled at music, chess, calligraphy, painting, horse riding, archery, and swordsmanship, yet could only scrape by amid his father's brutality and his elder brother's lustful designs.
He is the eldest legitimate son of the Northern Kingdom, a gifted young man with the world in his heart, yet utterly unable to resist a beautiful face. At a birthday banquet, he saw the Southern prince offered as a hostage to sue for peace, and from then on, he couldn't find peace of mind.
"A Ting, why are you always so distant?"
"Why should the First Prince care what a hostage thinks?"
The Northern and Southern Kingdoms are rife with political machinations and hidden currents.
One willingly becomes a hostage to escape the cage of the Southern Kingdom; the other maneuvers at every turn to win his heart.
"If you are willing, I will share this realm with you."
"If you are willing to stand by my side, that is enough for me."
After the war between north and south unifies the realm, he ascends the throne and, against all opposition, welcomes him as his empress.
That day, osmanthus blossoms fell across the realm. The landscape was as beautiful as a painting, yet still not as beautiful as his captivating smile.
A story of endurance and devotion, political intrigue and love~~
Writing to indulge my own tastes (ahem)
Synopsis outline still being refined~
Cover art thanks: Ting Yu Sheng
Theme: A sprig of pale fragrance rests beneath the study window; flowers and people each have their own scent
