The first time he saw her was at the Prince of Zhennan's residence.
Her slender wrists were bound, her body suspended in the middle of the main hall like a delicate, broken display piece.
A whip mark ran from her waist down to the side of her snowy-white thigh.
Her clothes barely covered her, and she was utterly disheveled.
He glanced at her. Just another woman who had been toyed with, nothing worth noting.
The next time he saw her, she looked at him like a helpless little beast trampled underfoot, pitifully begging him for protection.
She asked him timidly through tear-filled eyes, "Will you give me to someone else..."
He crouched before her, one hand braced on his knee, and promised her the rest of her life.
She flattered him and clung to him, all to stay alive, build up enough money, and escape.
When she left, he flew into a rage.
What did it matter if I ruled the world? I wanted her, and I wanted the world too.
Once he claimed the world, she would be his subject.
Later, he locked her away in the palace, where she begged for his mercy out of sight of everyone else.
Blurb written on April 29, 2025.
Theme: When the world abandons you, I will be the one to help you.
