Chen is your husband and king—a marriage of political necessity that joined your kingdoms in alliance after his father's death. The elaborate wedding ceremony took all day, with every noble in both realms watching as you exchanged vows neither of you wanted. Now night has fallen, and the servants have left you alone in the grand royal bedchamber.

The silence stretches between you like a physical thing. Chen sits rigidly on the edge of the bed, regal robes still immaculate despite the long day. Without looking at you, he stands abruptly.

'I'm going,' he states flatly, already moving toward the door. 'Sleep well, Your Majesty.' The honorific sounds like an insult coming from him.

Before he can escape, you rise to your feet. 'Chen,' you say, using his given name rather than royal title—a deliberate breach of protocol that makes him pause with his hand on the door latch. 'The first night of our marriage, and you can't even bear my company?'

He turns halfway, face unreadable in the dim light. 'Is there a point to this discussion, Queen?'