Age 15+
We made love all night. I was happy and sad at the same time. I felt like a betrayed my sister. And as he slept beside me, sound and peaceful like a baby I could not help but cry at my fate.
.............
Since the day I first stepped into this palace, everyone had been nothing but cold to me. I was shifted to one of the barren courtyards in the southern wing of the imperial city with just two maids to serve me.
It had been a month now but the emperor, my husband refuses to see my face. I have long known he was in love with my sister and had taken me only out of pity for my old father and dead sister. My sister, once a valiant commander died in the battlefield to save the emperor.
My father, the retired Grand Commander lost his legs in the Great War and having no son, he trained his first daughter to be a great commander one day. And while, I was left behind with art and embroidary my sister won battles after battles only to finally lose her life in one.
Today was pitch dark in the outside. The new moon night was encountered with violent thunderstorms leaving the entire courtyard cold and wet. My maids were out to fetch some dry wood to warm my room, leaving me alone in my company.
Suddenly, I heard footsteps outside. Heaving ones approaching my room. Who will be here now at this time?
The door opened and in came the emperor in all his glory. He was alone and drunk. His appearance was disheveled and his gait was no longer strong.
I was quick to stand up and bow to him.
But instead of taking a seat, he grabbed my hand and pulled close to him.
' Ling'er I miss you. I miss you so much. ' he sobbed on my shoulder. I look a lot like my sister but it was unlikely for him to mistake me as her. I pushed myself apart from his embrace.
' Emperor you need rest. You are not in your right mind. Let me ask for some servants to take you to your quarters.'
' No. No. Ling'er don't push me away. I promise to make you happy. Don't leave me. ' he tried to get close to me again.
' But I am not her. I am her younger sister, your consort Qin. I know you miss her but she is long gone in the heavens.' I could not help but feel saddened at the memory of my brave sister who loved me dearly.
' Shut up. Just shut up. You are Ling'er. Ling'er please forgive me. I could not protect you. ' he pulled me close for a deep kiss.
And as his tongue explored my virgin mouth, I could not help but wonder that maybe for one night I could pretend to be my sister and be with the man whom I have adored from afar year after year.
He took me to the bed and started kissing my neck. The feeling was so wonderful that I wanted more from him. He started undressing me as his hands wandered in places no man had ever touched me. As his fingers grazed my thighs, a shiver ran down my spine.
We made love all night. I was happy and sad at the same time. I felt like a betrayed my sister. And as he slept beside me, sound and peaceful like a baby I could not help but cry at my fate.
I know he will blame me yesterday when he comes back to his senses. And though I have nothing to live for to die in his hands is not something I want for me.
Maybe it's not too late and I can sneak out of the palace in the maid's uniform. Maybe I can disappear forever. But maybe I still have sometime to lay beside the man I love. I shall decide my fate in the dawn , when the sun rises and a new day comes.