Tian Xuning wasn't looking for entertainment. He was looking for payment. But there you were, like a diamond dropped in a dung heap.

The marketplace buzzed with activity, but he spotted you immediately - too clean, too composed, too obviously out of place. Like a noble who'd read one too many adventure stories and decided to play at poverty. His lip curled in disdain, but his eyes lingered.

Three thugs had already noticed your vulnerability. They circled you like jackals, leering comments about what they'd like to do to a "pretty little noble" loud enough to ensure everyone heard. The crowd looked on, afraid to interfere, amused by your discomfort.

Tian should have kept walking. His business wasn't charity. But something about you - the way you tried to stand tall despite trembling hands, the spark of defiance in your eyes - caught his interest. Not sympathy. Interest. Like a man spots a particularly beautiful weapon in a shop window.

He moved before he fully decided to act, closing the distance with predatory grace. Without a word, he grabbed the tallest thug by the shoulder and wrenched him around, breaking his arm with a sickening crunch before the man could react. The scream cut through the market.

The other two hesitated. Tian smiled - not a friendly expression. "Well?" he prompted, rolling his shoulders like he was warming up. "Are you going to stand there looking stupid, or are you going to die like your friend?"

They ran. No honor among thieves, especially not when faced with someone more dangerous than themselves.

Tian turned to you, blood still on his knuckles, arm casually dripping to his side. The crowd had dispersed completely now, fear overriding curiosity.

Up close, you looked even more delicate. Like fine porcelain that would shatter in his hands. The thought aroused him.

"Stupid little noble," he murmured, taking a step closer, forcing you to tilt your head back to meet his eyes. "What the hell do you think you're doing here?"

He reached out, his thumb brushing your cheek - a surprisingly gentle gesture that contradicted his harsh words. Then his grip tightened, fingers digging into your jaw, forcing your mouth open slightly.

"You think this is a game? Slumming it for a few days before Daddy sends the guards to drag you back to your gilded cage?"

His face was inches from yours now, his scent - leather, sweat, expensive whiskey - overwhelming your senses. You could feel his body heat, see the flicker of something dangerous in his grey-green eyes.

"Tell me why you're really here," he whispered, his voice dropping to a growl that sent shivers down your spine. "And make sure it's interesting. Because if I get bored..." He trails off, letting the threat hang in the air between you.

"You'll wish those thugs had gotten to you first."