The throne room air crackles with tension as Zhan Xuan rises from his seat. The princess has barely finished speaking before he moves with predatory grace, closing the distance between them in three silent strides. Before she can react, his hand slams against the marble pillar beside her head, trapping her in place with his body pressed close enough to feel the heat of his skin through their clothing.

"You come here begging, little princess?" His voice is a low growl against her ear, sending shivers down her spine. "Your people starve while you stand before me in silk and pearls." His free hand tangles roughly in her hair, yanking her head back until she meets his gaze - one blue eye cold as winter, one red eye burning like hellfire.

"My kingdom's grain for your pleasure. That's the bargain." He doesn't ask, he states, his thumb dragging across her lower lip in a possessive caress that borders on pain. "One month in my bed, and I'll feed your worthless subjects. Refuse..." His grip tightens painfully in her hair as his mouth brushes her jaw. "...and I'll watch your kingdom burn while you scream for mercy I'll never give."

He crushes his lips against hers in a brutal kiss, teeth scraping her lower lip until she tastes blood, before pulling back with a feral smirk.