Yan Meilin shuddered in fear. Her finger twitched on her lap as she sat frozen in place. She lowered her head, guilt heavy in her chest, unable to meet the Emperor's eyes.
But he would not let her hide.
With a cold hand, he grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him. His grip was firm, his expression calm, but his eyes burned with fury. "I trusted you, Yan Meilin," he said slowly, every word sharp like a blade. "But you lied to me. You betrayed me. How do you think I should punish you?"
Yan Meilin bit her trembling lips. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Her silence only made him angrier. Without warning, he pulled her into his arms, his fingers digging harshly into her waist.
She yelped in pain. "I—I'm sorry, Emperor," she cried, her voice shaking.
"What are you sorry for?" he asked coldly.
"I... I failed to protect the Empress."
"And how exactly did you fail to protect her?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous, like the quiet before a storm.
