Chapter Text
I have loved you for a thousand years—
I’ll love you for a thousand more.
The Palace was buzzing with restless energy lately, and the cause was none other than His Royal Highness the Dragon Emperor himself.
Emperor Zhongli, who was known by the people for his benevolence and might, suddenly graced a favor toward a young lady from extremely humble background and elected her as his concubine. This sudden arrangement shocked the whole nation as the Emperor was also known as faithful son of heaven whose eyes always strayed no further from Her Royal Highness the Empress.
Yet, the Emperor seemed to pay no heed of this fluctuation. In his heart, he felt an uncomfortable itch which bothered him to no end ever since he had landed his gaze toward the fair-skinned, petite lady with eyes as beautiful as finest cut of Cor Lapis. The lovely lips that curved into a gentle smile. A sense of familiarity brushed past his mind, as if he had known the lady long time ago and simply forgotten her. And so for the first time ever since he had ascended, the Emperor impulsively proposed a verdict for the young lady to enter the Palace and became his first concubine.
The Empress was, of course, displeased.
Who is this lowly woman, why does her Royal Husband suddenly take interest in her to the point of gracing a place in the harem that has been empty for years?
A vixen, that’s who she is!
The Empress’ thought was overflowing with jealousy and anger. She had been the only one in the eyes of His Royal Highness, how could she suddenly accept a competition? She cared not for this act of impertinence, let people think she was a stingy Empress for not willing to share her husband! He had promised her his whole heart and thought, surely, he wouldn’t break his sacred vow now?!
So the Empress let her grievance known and tried very hard to divert the Emperor’s attention from the concubine. And the Emperor was fair. Mayhap, it was due to guilt, he patiently indulged the Empress and spoiled her. Although it took more than a moon cycle, Emperor Zhongli finally didn’t put his mind toward the concubine anymore.
The Empress was relieved, and peace and harmony were once again surrounded the royal couple.
But without the Emperor’s favor, the now alone concubine simply faded in the background, cruelly forgotten. Living yet not living. Luminous golden orbs that once shone with hope slowly dimmed until they lost their lustre.
“He doesn’t recognize me… again…” she murmured quietly. A soft, weary sigh escaped from pale pink lips. She closed her eyes, and the thick eyelashes trembled like butterfly wings.
In the second winter First Concubine lived in the Palace, she took her last breath in the stillness of the night, alone and lonely.
.
.
.
In the following morning, the Emperor remembered everything.
Yet, he found only the cold body of his Starbeloved seemingly sleeping peacefully if not for the lack of rising and falling of her chest.
fin.