The chamber was silent after the maids were dragged away, but the tension lingered like smoke.
Lin Yue's knees felt weak. She wasn't sure if it was fear, shock, or the way the emperor was still holding her — one arm around her waist, the other gently brushing her cheek as if checking for invisible wounds.
"Sit," he said softly.
It wasn't a command this time.
It sounded almost… worried.
Lin Yue allowed him to guide her to the cushioned seat. Xiao An hovered nearby, eyes red from crying, but the emperor's presence kept her silent.
Jin Longwei knelt in front of Lin Yue.
The Emperor of the Yunlong Empire — the man feared by millions — knelt before her.
Her breath caught.
He lifted her hand, turning it over, inspecting every inch as if she were made of fragile jade.
"They touched you," he murmured, voice trembling with restrained fury. "They dared to touch you."
Lin Yue swallowed. "I'm fine."
"You are not fine." His eyes snapped up to hers. "You were terrified."
She didn't deny it.
He exhaled slowly, as if trying to calm a storm inside him. "I should not have left you alone."
"You had to go," she whispered. "The Empress Dowager—"
"I do not care," he cut in sharply. "Nothing is more important than your safety."
Lin Yue's heart fluttered — not from romance, but from the overwhelming intensity of his devotion. It was too much. Too sudden. Too dangerous.
"Your Majesty," she said gently, "I don't want to cause trouble."
"You didn't," he said. "They did."
He stood abruptly, his expression turning cold and lethal.
"Xiao An."
The maid dropped to her knees. "Y‑Yes, Your Majesty!"
"You will stay with her at all times. If anyone approaches this chamber without my permission, you will alert the guards immediately."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
He turned to the doorway. "Guard."
A soldier stepped inside, bowing deeply.
"Send word to the Jade Courtyard," the emperor said, his voice like ice. "Noble Consort Zhen is confined to her quarters until further notice. She is forbidden from leaving or receiving visitors."
The guard hesitated. "Your Majesty… the Empress—"
"Will remain silent," Jin Longwei said. "Unless she wishes to join Zhen in confinement."
The guard bowed again and rushed out.
Lin Yue stared at him, stunned. "You're punishing her because of me?"
He turned back to her, eyes softening. "I am punishing her because she dared to harm what is mine."
Her breath hitched.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Listen carefully, Lin Yue."
She looked up at him.
"I do not share," he said. "Not affection. Not loyalty. Not you."
Her heart pounded.
"You are under my protection," he continued. "Anyone who threatens you — anyone — will face consequences far worse than confinement."
Lin Yue's voice trembled. "Why? Why are you doing this for me?"
He leaned down, his forehead brushing hers, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Because from the moment I saw you… I could not look away."
Her breath caught.
His hand cupped her cheek, thumb brushing lightly against her skin.
"You appeared in my world like a falling star," he murmured. "And I will not let anyone steal you from me."
Before she could respond, he straightened and turned toward the door.
"I will return soon," he said. "Do not leave this room."
He paused, looking back at her with a gaze that burned.
"And remember, Lin Yue — you belong to me."
The doors closed behind him.
Lin Yue sat frozen, her heart racing, her mind spinning.
She had survived her first attack.
She had witnessed the emperor's wrath.
She had heard his warning — to the harem, to the palace, to the world.
But the most terrifying part wasn't the danger outside.
It was the man who had claimed her.
And the way her heart reacted when he did.