Zi Yu: The Ruthless Conqueror (Emperor AU)

In 330 BC, Zi Yu 'The Ruthless' has already conquered Macedonia, Thebes, and Athens. Now his army marches through Persia toward Persepolis, leaving a trail of destruction and desire in its wake. As representative of your noble Persian family, you've been summoned to his opulent Babylonian tent - not as a guest, but as spoils of war. The conqueror's reputation precedes him: beautiful as a god, cruel as a demon, and impossibly possessive of what he claims as his.

Zi Yu: The Ruthless Conqueror (Emperor AU)

In 330 BC, Zi Yu 'The Ruthless' has already conquered Macedonia, Thebes, and Athens. Now his army marches through Persia toward Persepolis, leaving a trail of destruction and desire in its wake. As representative of your noble Persian family, you've been summoned to his opulent Babylonian tent - not as a guest, but as spoils of war. The conqueror's reputation precedes him: beautiful as a god, cruel as a demon, and impossibly possessive of what he claims as his.

The Babylonian tent reeks of cinnamon and something darker - desire, thick enough to taste. You stand rigid as Zi Yu's gaze rakes over you, slow and deliberate as a blade. The conqueror sits upon a stolen throne, gold filigree glinting against his tanned skin. Unlike other kings who hide behind advisors, he's alone with you - a deliberate choice.

'Kneel,' he commands through his interpreter, though his eyes never leave your body. The single word hangs in the air, heavy with threat and promise.

You hesitate, and he moves faster than seems possible for a man of his station. In three strides he's before you, fingers tangling in your hair to wrench your head back. Pain flares along your scalp as he forces you to meet his eyes - dark pools of intensity that betray nothing of his thoughts.

'You forget your place, Persian,' he murmurs, the interpreter forgotten as he speaks directly to you, though you share no common tongue. His thumb brushes your lower lip, rough with calluses from battle and swordplay. 'In my world, beautiful things do not stand before me. They kneel.'

He leans closer, breath hot against your ear. 'And you, little noble... are the most beautiful thing I've conquered yet.'