The soulmate process was mystical, its workings not understood by mere mortals like us. How it came to be was not known, assumed to be a gift from our gods. It materialized itself as a spiritual place that bound people who were in love with soulmate marks after a simple ritual. I had used it as a way to increase the societal status of women, enticing more men to remain loyal to one wife instead of taking several concubines.

      But as I was finding out now, even such a supernatural process had its flaws. With a small flick of my hand, I replied, “Go ahead.”

      Han Ge nodded. “Yes, Empress. It is said that when the couple has no prior feelings of any sort towards each other beforehand, like in the case of strangers, they can still be bound as soulmates. Even if they were to develop a distaste for their soulmate, the poison will not take effect. So their lives are not affected.”

      The corner of my lips turned down as her words rolled around inside my head. With such a gaping loop hole, the possible scenarios in which it could be misused was… countless. The rippling consequences, the societal impact… just thinking about it caused my head to throb.

      Two fingers pressed to my temple, I grimaced. My sleeves fell to my elbows and the glaring red ink of my own soulmate tattoo stared back tauntingly at me. Mocking my failure to rule over my subjects, mocking my failure to rule over my own emotions.

      A light gasp dragged my gaze back to Han Ge. One hand over her mouth, her eyes were wide as she took in the green veins that snaked down the length of my arm.

      “Empress… are you-”

      “Stop.” My sharp tone sliced through her words, bringing her to her knees as she quickly bowed, begging for forgiveness.

      “You are not to breathe a word of this to any soul, you understand?”

      Han Ge’s forehead still pressed to the floor, she hurriedly replied, “Yes, Empress. Your humble subject will take this secret to the grave.”

      Satisfied, I raised my hand, palm up. “You may rise.”

      “Yes, Empress.” She got up, her head bowed, not daring to look me in the eye.

      Studying the woman beside me, I acknowledged the qualities she possessed – strong, capable, deductive, and loyal. Minister He Wen must have seen that in her, utilizing her skills behind enemy lines. Though it was hard for me to admit, there were many issues and circumstances that I could not foresee from within the walls of the Forbidden Palace. But outside knowledge from commoners gave valuable insights into how policies took effect on the ground. And based on what I had heard from Han Ge, she seemed to be very well-informed.

      “Han Ge,” I said after a brief moment. “What do you know about the poison that flows through my veins? I take it you know more about the soulmate tattoo than me, so tell me. Is there a way to reverse this?”

      Han Ge lifted her head, matching my steady gaze with her own. Her lips set in a grim line as a hand shifted to her shoulder and pulled the fabric of her night gown down. The stark contrast of green lines amidst small red scars against her bare skin stood out immediately.

       My eyes widened and I felt a stab of sympathy for the woman. We shared the same plight, yet her condition was far more severe than mine. Judging by the degree that the poison had spread, I could only speculate as to the damage that had been done to her body.

       “I’ve tried many things but nothing worked.” Grimacing, she shrugged the night gown back over her shoulder. “It’s non-reversible, Empress.”

       “How…” My voice trailed off, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place in my mind. Frowning, I thumbed my chin. “Couldn’t you get assigned to a different location apart from Shi Ri?”

      The woman’s brows lifted in surprise at my quick deduction. “I… I guess I could.”

      A small sheepish smile tugging at her lips, she rubbed the back of her head. “But I honestly don’t want to. We work well as a unit and… I would rather be with him than without.”

      To say I was taken aback was putting it lightly. Did she not care about her job? Her life? So many questions were at the tip of my tongue but I could only utter a single “Why?”

      Han Ge tapped a finger on her cheek as she contemplated my question. “Why… I don’t know why actually. Because of him, this poison,” She gripped her arm. “is slowly killing me. My inner organs are failing, impacting my ability to carry out my work.”

      She paused. “But without him, I would not have the energy to live through each day. Without him… my life would not be complete.” A short chuckle escaped her lips. “Maybe I’m crazy.”

      I stared wide-eyed at Han Ge, perplexed at how such a level-headed woman could have an unreasonable side to her. The concept of literally dying for love was foreign to me. It was crazy indeed. Yet something about what she said resonated with me. A small voice in my heart niggled at me like a constant reminder, something that I instantly subdued. Biting my lips, I tried to shake off the unsettling feeling.

      A side glance reminding me of Han Ge’s presence in the room, I nodded sharply and gave a slight wave of my hand. “I understand. You may leave now.”

      “Yes, Empress.” She bowed, retreating backwards until she closed the door quietly behind her.

      I exhaled a long held breath. This vulnerable, unsteady side of me was not something I wanted anyone to see. Retiring to the single, tiny bed located in the far corner, a short huff snuffed out the flame from the lamp hanging on the wall, drenching the room in solid darkness. Not a glimmer of moonlight was to be seen, the clouds having blocked it out.

      As I lay prone on the hard surface, my thoughts strayed back to my conversation with Han Ge. Her earlier words replaying in my mind, I could not help but think of one person. No sooner did he come to mind than the sharp prick of pain in my wrist caused me to wince. Hugging my wrist to my abdomen, I clamped down on my lips, forcing thoughts of him to fade away.

      But why was it that when that pain abated, the ache in my heart only increased?