The Emperor led me through his home at a brisk pace as soon as we returned and I wondered which room he was going to reveal to me next.
I was oddly disappointed when he stopped at the door leading to the courtyard at the heart of the house, but that melted away when he pushed open the door and the little yard was revealed again.
It looked beautiful - there were lights flickering from hanging lanterns around the edge of the yard, and they reflected in the shimmering pond with the elegant golden fish.
I looked up at the sky again, pleased that I could still look up at the stars to seek comfort from them as I wandered absentmindedly to the edge of the pond without thinking about what the Emperor was doing.
It was only when I sat at the edge and removed my shoes to dip my feet into the war
