Chapter 1

I was writing a boys' love story set in ancient times.

The male lead was Theodore Crowne, the Emperor, and the second lead was Victor Montgomery, the Chancellor.

The novel blew up and became insanely popular.

The entire imperial court started chanting at them, right there in the throne hall. "Get together. Get together."

I panicked and fled overnight.

But Theodore slammed me against the wall, blocking my escape. "Today," he said, voice low and dangerous, "I'm going to prove exactly what my preferences are."

*****

I had transmigrated.

Straight into the Aurelius Dynasty, a dynasty lost to history, and I woke up as Leo Montgomery, the Laureate of the Imperial Academy, who, by the way, was actually a girl pretending to be a guy.

The moment I realized that cross dressing in the palace counted as deceiving the Emperor, punishable by death, I nearly transmigrated myself right back out on the spot.

To make more money and resign as early as possible, I decided to take on a side hustle. I would write novels.

I was still struggling to come up with a suitable ancient setting when I saw the Grand Chancellor Victor trip and fall straight into the Emperor Theodore's arms.

In that instant, inspiration struck like lightning.

That very night, I wrote like my life depended on it and launched a new story titled Whispers Between the Throne and the Chancellery.

In the book, I wrote this:

[Victor, harboring secret feelings, deliberately stumbled in front of Theodore. Theodore reacted fast and caught him.

[[Victor's heart leaped with joy, and he conveniently collapsed right into Theodore's embrace.

[Their eyes met.Affection lingered in the air.]

And on and on.

Before transmigrating, I had been an online writer, and I upheld professional ethics.Frequent updates. No excuses.

One week later, the atmosphere at court turned strange.

Theodore asked, "Does anyone have a memorial to present?"

Silence fell. The officials exchanged meaningful looks.

Finally, someone stepped forward. "Your Majesty, this minister has a proposal."

Theodore took the memorial, reading as the official spoke.

The courtier said, "Your Majesty, you should establish an Empress. As long as it pleases you, whether the Empress is male or female, we have no objections."

Victor and I coughed at the exact same time.

I looked up and saw Victor's face burning red. He would not meet Theodore's eyes.

My heart skipped. Could it be Victor actually had those thoughts?

Both unmarried. Technically suitable.

I looked at Theodore again. His brows were drawn tight, his face dark. "What exactly are you implying?" he asked.

"I... I just meant, Your Majesty, that your prayer beads look really nice," the courtier blurted out awkwardly.

Theodore couldn't help but grimace.

Victor's cheeks burned even hotter.

They spoke at the same time.

"It wasn't Victor who gave it to me."

"I didn't give it to him!"

The hall went dead silent again.

The air was thick with awkwardness.

I felt a chill run down my spine.

It really wasn't Victor who gave Theodore those prayer beads.

I had only thought it looked nice, so I wrote it into the story as a token of love.A pledge between them.

Who would've thought even Theodore and the courtiers were reading my story?

Clearly, the book had gone viral.

I needed to update faster. Earn more. Retire early.

The next day, Victor called in sick and did not attend court.

The bracelet on Theodore's wrist was gone as well.

That same day, I dropped a new chapter:

That very day, I updated a new chapter: [Theodore lost the token of love. Victor, furious, refused to see him or attend court.

[One day without Victor felt like three years to Theodore.

[That night, he changed into plain clothes and secretly climbed over the wall into Victor's residence.]

The bookseller told me this chapter sold incredibly well.

Readers were desperate for the next update. They wanted details. All the juicy ones. What happened after Theodore climbed into Victor's estate.

I couldn't help but smile.

Those unspeakable details? Could I write them?

Of course I could. In this dynasty, anything below the neck was fair game.

But I refused. I decided to keep them hanging.

Later, Theodore summoned several ministers to his study for a discussion.

Victor and I were both present.

Before the meeting even began, the Empress Dowager Isolde Ravensmere arrived.

We were about to bow when she waved us off.

She turned to Theodore. "Theodore," she said calmly, "I am here to make my stance clear."

"I support you in picking an Empress. Male or female, I have no objections whatsoever."

Theodore's expression tightened again.

Victor's face flushed again.

The courtiers began whispering among themselves.