Aria barely dared to look at the Emperor as she approached. To her, he was a much scarier being than the humongous Black Dragon behind him. Yet, the old man gently held his hand out until the Concubine placed her hand in his, with a light smile. She could tell there wasn’t any animosity in his dark eyes.

“There she is,” he said softly. “Aren’t you as white as a water lily?”

“So disgusting,” whispered someone from behind her, but the Emperor didn’t ...