The First Move

The servant looked up at Kai En just as he looked down, their eyes meeting. Kai En's brows shot up at the fierceness of the servant's gaze.

His body reacted strangely again, and he found himself rubbing the nape of his neck.

The princess's cries pulled him back to the present. He turned to the emperor, smiling coldly. "It seems the ladies have had too much excitement for one night. Perhaps they should be excused to rest."

The emperor, his face impassive, lifted a hand. "Escort them to their quarters. They have indeed caused enough of a disturbance."

As the guards moved to assist them, Feng Ling's eyes met Kai En's. He smirked and mouthed, Try again later.

Her face turned crimson with rage and hatred. But before she could respond, the emperor spoke again.

"And the servant." His tone sharpened, eyes narrowing as he surveyed the kneeling figure. "Ten slashes for his insolence. Make it quick."

The air in the hall grew heavier. A flicker of something crossed Kai En's face—gone before anyone could notice.

Two guards stepped forward immediately, grabbing the servant by the arms. There was no protest, no begging, only silence. Even as he was dragged away, his posture remained firm. His head remained high.

Kai En watched him go, curious.

Feng Ling and her mother were helped off the floor, their protests drowned by their humiliation. The princess cast one last venomous glare toward Kai En before being led away.

Kai En's eyes flicked to the rest of his half-siblings, who watched him with thinly veiled contempt. He met their gazes smugly before turning to the emperor and bowing. Then, he took his seat beside his mother.

The empress, her fan hiding a small smile, placed some food on Kai En's plate. "Well done, my son."

The banquet continued in tense, subdued murmurs, but Kai En's thoughts were elsewhere. His fingers drummed idly against the lacquered table, his mind still lingering on the defiant servant.

Who was he, really? And why did Kai En feel such a strange connection?

The faint sound of the whip cracking in the distance made his chest tighten—an unfamiliar sensation that irritated him.

As the music played and the courtiers tried to regain their composure, Kai En decided he would have someone look into the servant's background.

His curiosity was piqued. And he had a feeling this encounter was only the beginning.

*****

Kai En watched the nobles and courtiers with their false smiles and empty pleasantries, their pretence grating on his nerves.

At least they were wise enough not to approach him, though his fierce scowl likely helped with that.

His siblings were all present, even those from distant territories had been called back to the palace. Faces he hadn't seen in six years. It was oddly comforting to know they hadn't changed; he could still handle them as he always had.

First Prince Feng Wei prowled the courtyard like a caged tiger, his gaze frequently darting toward Kai En with barely concealed hostility. Last he heard, their father had made him in charge of Jin Province.

A questionable decision, in Kai En's opinion—why grant power to someone so obviously power-hungry?

Second Prince Feng Jian, equally aggressive but more strategic, was in a heated discussion with military commanders. His fiery gestures and pounding fist on the table emphasized his point.

Fewer attacks at the Zhao Province border since he took over. Maybe there was some merit to the fool after all.

Feng Jian must have felt his gaze because he turned, locking eyes with him from across the courtyard. A slow, knowing smirk curled his lips.

Kai En didn't react, merely tilting his cup to him in mock salute.

Feng Jian's smirk faded, but the unspoken challenge remained.

First Princess Feng Ling had already been sent to her courtyard to "rest", avoiding any trouble.

Fourth Prince Feng Yu sat at a table with nobles from Qing Province, which he supervised. His smile never reached his eyes, relying on charm and charisma to keep them hanging on his every word.

Fifth Prince Feng Rui sauntered past, his only omega brother flaunting his citrus and honey scent obnoxiously. The shameless whore disregarded the private nature of scents and even dared to openly declare his interest in the throne.

Kai En scrunched his nose as he watched Feng Rui pour wine for a noble, batting long black lashes. The son of the minister—his latest victim tonight—was smitten, blushing and bumbling in response.

Second Princess Feng Yun performed a new zither song, though all eyes remained on their father as courtiers heaped praise on her.

Third Princess Feng Xiu sat in the corner, her cold grey eyes scanning the crowd with a calculating gaze.

Kai En never understood the strange child's fixation on the throne. She was a princess, destined for marriage.

He blamed his father for indulging her nonsense.

Eventually, the pretence of celebration grew tiresome. Kai En excused himself, slipping away from the gathering without drawing much attention.

*****

Kai En turned and walked down the corridor. He navigated the palace with ease, glad to see not much had changed. His mind was already planning his next move as he headed toward the dungeon. He could almost hear the minister's pitiful whimpering already, and it made him smile.

Descending into the dungeons no, the air grew colder. The stone walls seemed to close in, the torches flickering dimly. The stench of mildew and despair clung to the walls. Cold, damp, and dark, the dungeons were a place of fear and suffering.

Two guards flanked the entrance to a cell, standing at rigid attention.

Kai En reached the cell where Minister Zhao was held. At his nod, they opened the door, revealing a haggard man shackled to the wall.

The minister, once powerful and feared, now looked pathetic, slumped against the wall, his face bruised and bloodied. The guards had already had their go at him.

Good. He still knows who holds his life in their hands.

Kai En crouched in front of him, tilting his head. "Minister Zhao." His voice was calm, almost pleasant. "How unfortunate for you to end up here."

Zhao coughed, his breath rattling. "Your Highness…" he croaked. "I swear to you, I have done nothing to deserve this."

Kai En chuckled, leaning closer. "Nothing? How interesting. Then tell me, Minister Zhao, if you are so innocent… why is it that every report I've reviewed states otherwise?"

Zhao swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing. His eyes darted to the door, then to the guards, then back to Kai En, as if searching for some unseen savior. His fingers twitched where they were bound, knuckles white. "Lies… rumors spread by my enemies."

Kai En's smile didn't waver, but his hand shot out, gripping Zhao's jaw in an iron hold. The minister flinched as Kai En's fingers pressed against the bruises already forming on his face.

"You misunderstand," Kai En murmured. "I don't care about your excuses. I care about the damage you've done."

"Please, Your Highness!" Zhao stammered. "I don't know what you think I've done, but I swear—I had no hand in any of it!"

Kai En's lip curled in a sneer. "More Lies. You've embezzled funds, made decisions that jeopardized our country, and ruined countless families. The Liang family, for instance. What do you know of their annihilation?"

Zhao's breathing turned erratic, his skin paling. His lips parted, but all that came out was a faint wheeze.

"Minister Zhao," Kai En said, his voice dangerously soft. "I asked you a question."

"I—I don't know," Zhao rasped. "I don't know anything about that."

Kai En struck him across the face, the force of the blow snapping the minister's head to the side. Blood dribbled from his split lip.

"Lies again," Kai En said. "You will tell me the truth, or you will suffer the consequences."

Zhao moaned, his voice trembling. "Please, Your Highness, I have done nothing wrong!"

Kai En crouched, gripping Zhao's jaw, forcing him to meet his gaze. "The Liang family," he continued coldly. "The Lin family. The Xun family. Tell me, Minister Zhao, how many children were left orphaned because of your greed? How many wives were forced to sell themselves just to survive?"

Zhao trembled violently now, sweat rolling down his temples. His lips pressed together in a tight, bloodless line. He stared at the ground, refusing to speak.

Kai En's grip tightened. "Silence won't save you."

Zhao clenched his teeth but said nothing.

Kai En exhaled sharply. Still playing dumb?

"Very well." He turned slightly, waving two fingers. "Since you refuse to speak, we'll continue tomorrow."

At his nod, the guards stepped forward. Fists met flesh, the sickening thuds filling the cell as Zhao's cries rang through the stone walls.

Kai En turned to the guard beside him, wiping his bloodied hands on a silk cloth. "Clean this up. Ensure he is ready for further questioning tomorrow."

As he stepped into the corridor, another thought crossed his mind.

The servant.

The one who had dared to meet his gaze.

He had seen fire in that man's eyes. 

Kai En exhaled sharply, rubbing his fingers together in idle thought.

Why did he care? He'd ordered plenty of punishments before, this was nothing new.

And yet, something about this one unsettled him. Not in fear, but in something far more irritating.

Anticipation.

His jaw tightened. Perhaps it was simply unfinished business. That had to be it.

He turned to the guard. "Show me the way to the slave's cell."

The guards led him deeper into the dungeon, past cells filled with forgotten men, until they reached one at the very end.

"Open it," Kai En ordered.

The metal screeched as the door was pulled open.

Moonlight filtered through a small barred window, casting a cold glow over the man inside.

The slave sat against the wall, legs stretched before him, posture deceptively relaxed. Blood stained the torn fabric clinging to his back and arms, proof of his earlier punishment.

His head was bowed slightly, shadow hiding most of his face.

The bruises from his punishment were fresh, the red welts stark against his skin. Yet there was no trembling, no pleading for mercy.

A stubborn one, then.

Kai En stepped forward, boots echoing against the stone floor. "Raise your head."

The slave did not move.

The guard beside him shifted uneasily. "Your Highness, he—"

Kai En silenced him with a glance. The man had heard him. He was simply choosing not to obey.

Annoyance flickered through him, but rather than lash out, he smirked. "I see."

At that, the servant finally lifted his head, slow and deliberate. The moonlight revealed sharp features—high cheekbones, a strong jawline. His dark eyes met Kai En's without hesitation, their depths unreadable.

Kai En tilted his head, studying him.

Most men in his position would bow their heads, shrouded in shame or fear. But this one…

Amusement curled in his chest, unexpected.

"What is your name?"