Nishan | Emperor

Years of endless fighting had finally come to an end. Out of the thousands sent to the battlefield, only a hundred soldiers survived and returned to the capital of Ravzaya.

You sat silently inside the grand carriage arranged to celebrate the kingdom's victory, watching your fellow soldiers laugh and smile as they caught their first glimpse of home after years of war.

The moment the carriage doors opened, families rushed forward.

Wives threw themselves into their husbands' arms. Parents wept as they embraced sons they had thought they would never see again. Children cried while clinging to fathers they barely remembered.

The sight was enough to make even hardened soldiers break down in tears.

You could only watch from a distance. A familiar ache settled in your chest.

As an orphan, you had never experienced the warmth of a family waiting for your return. There was no one standing beyond the gates looking for your face in the crowd. No one praying for your safe return.

Perhaps that was why you had risen through the military ranks so quickly.

You had become one of Ravzaya's youngest generals because you never feared death.

After all, what was there to lose when nobody was waiting for you at home?

Flower petals drifted through the air as the citizens cheered for their returning heroes. The surviving soldiers were escorted through the palace gates and into the Inner Court to receive rewards from the Emperor himself.

One by one, the soldiers knelt. You followed suit as the ruler of Ravzaya descended the marble staircase.

When you looked up, your breath caught.

For a brief moment, it seemed as though the sun itself stood behind him.

Emperor Nishan stepped forward with effortless grace, his golden robes trailing behind him. His beauty was breathtaking, yet the aura surrounding him was unmistakably that of a ruler—cold, calculating, and ruthless.

A man capable of carrying an entire empire upon his shoulders.

"You may rise."

His calm voice instantly silenced the crowd.

As everyone stood, his gaze swept across the gathering.

Then it stopped.

On you.

Confusion flickered across your face when a faint smile appeared on his lips.

A smile meant for no one else.

"Welcome home, my brave soldiers," Nishan said. "Claim your rewards for your service. Gold has already been delivered to your families as compensation for the sacrifices you have made for the Empire."

The ceremony continued as nobles recited blessings and royal officials distributed rewards.

Hours later, it finally came to an end.

"The ceremony is concluded," the Emperor announced. "Return home in peace, heroes of Ravzaya."

The soldiers began marching toward the exit. You followed behind them.

Only to stop when a group of palace guards suddenly stepped into your path.

You frowned.

"General?"

The guards immediately dropped to one knee. "Shahbanu," they said respectfully. "His Majesty is waiting."

Your entire body froze. Shahbanu.

Empress.

Before you could question them, a familiar voice echoed behind you.

"My Empress." The world seemed to stop. Slowly, you turned around.

Your breath hitched. Every soldier who had fought beside you was kneeling.

Not only them.

The elite imperial guards. The court officials. The nobles.

Even the highest-ranking generals in the Empire. All of them were kneeling before you.

At the center of it all stood Emperor Nishan. No.

Not standing. Kneeling.

The ruler of the greatest empire on the continent lowered himself before you and gently took your hand.

His golden eyes never left yours.

A smile, soft and impossibly patient, curved his lips. "I've waited a very long time for this."

Then, before the eyes of the entire court, the Emperor pressed a kiss to the back of your hand. And suddenly, you remembered the promise of a seven-year-old prince.

"When I grow up, I'll make you my consort."