The Golden Cage

The palace loomed before Mei like a gilded prison, its grand walls stretching endlessly toward the heavens. Every detail spoke of power and control—from the crimson banners fluttering in the cold wind to the guards standing at rigid attention. Yet, despite its splendor, Mei felt a sharp pang of dread as the heavy gates closed behind her, sealing her fate.

She was no longer free.

The royal steward, a severe man with hawk-like eyes, led her through the labyrinthine halls without a word. Mei struggled to keep her composure, her delicate slippers clicking against the polished marble. Servants flitted past, bowing deeply but avoiding her gaze. Did they pity her? Or did they view her as just another piece of the king’s collection, an ornament to be displayed and forgotten?

“This will be your chamber,” the steward announced, pushing open a massive door carved with intricate lotus blossoms.

Mei stepped inside, and her breath hitched. The room was nothing short of opulent—a sprawling space adorned with silk drapes, golden accents, and a bed so large it could easily fit five people. A tray of fresh fruit and steaming tea waited on an ebony table. Everything here screamed of luxury, yet it felt cold, detached.

“His Majesty expects you to dine with him tonight,” the steward continued, his voice devoid of emotion. “You will be escorted to the hall at sundown. Until then, you may rest.”

Before Mei could respond, the door shut with a resounding thud, leaving her alone.

She paced the room, her mind racing. How had her life unraveled so quickly? Just days ago, she had been tending to her mother, clinging to the hope that they might find a way to repay her father’s debts. Now, she was a bride-to-be, bound to a man she barely knew but already despised.

And yet…

She paused at the window, gazing out at the sprawling palace gardens bathed in the golden light of late afternoon. Her fingers brushed against the silk sash of her dress, a gift from the king himself. For all his coldness, there had been a flicker of something else in his eyes when he looked at her. Possession, yes—but also hunger.

Mei shivered, her thoughts slipping back to the throne room. The way he had lifted her chin, his touch both gentle and commanding, lingered in her memory. It wasn’t fear that had made her pulse quicken in that moment. It was something far more dangerous.

The sound of the door opening jolted her from her thoughts. A young maid entered, her head bowed.

“Miss Mei,” she said softly, “the king has sent this for you.”

In her hands was a crimson robe embroidered with gold phoenixes, the fabric shimmering in the light.

Mei’s throat tightened as she took the garment. The phoenix—symbol of resilience, rebirth, and a queen.

Her fate was sealed, yet she could not ignore the spark of curiosity burning within her. Who was this man who claimed her so boldly? And why, despite everything, did she feel an inexplicable pull toward him?

Sundown was approaching, and with it, her first encounter as the king’s intended.

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