Prologue

The sun sets down, the stone lanterns lit up the marketplace of zuli, among the crowd of excited subjects and people roaming to see the festival to celebrate Ziwang Yuenghon's victory over the Southern plains' kingdoms, the young emperor who sat at the throne at the age of twenty, because of his father's sudden death.

At 23, currently he was hosting a banquet in the most big camp in the marketplace, no common people were allowed, inside the imperial camp, yuenghon sat on the high seat, the nobles sat in a low table, the servants, serving drinks and food to the ministers and important generals, in the centre a group of dancers adorned the camp, music flowed and the lavish environment filled with happy chatters.

But yuenghon was immovable, he leisurely drank from his goblet, one of the ministers gifted him treasures as a gift.

"Your majesty, congratulations on the triumph, we all are truly impressed by your huge expansion; I wish you all prosperity", he bowed as he presented the gifts, yuenghon nodded curtly, "It is appreciated, thank you for the pleasantries, pls enjoy the banquet—",

suddenly the court plunged to silence as a child ran through the guards and swarm of dancers standing in front of the steps of the high seat, his voice chirpy and full of innocence ,"wow your robes are so beautiful ! That looks like a real dragon !", he giggled.

Yuenghon frowned immediately intrigued by the intrusion, he took at his appearance, messy fringed black hair, big eyes full of excitement, no fear to be found and tattered clothes but it was clear from his style of clothing that he comes from a noble family.

one of the guards moves to seize the child "Your majesty ! we tried to stop him ...but he was too fast... we will immediately—" yuenghon raised a hand...absolute silence.

"Tell me your name, why are you here ?" Yuenghon asked.

The child smiled cheerfully "Yuan lee ! I came to visit the festival with my family, I got lost, and was drawn to the music, you truly are wonderful !...but...tired" he said innocently..

Yuenghon's eyes widen slightly, *tired?* This child ?! Not touched with the cruel world yet, read his face so easily ?

The camp held its breath, then a scream tore through the silence.

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