I used to be an apothecary in the red-light district. Now? I’m a lady-in-waiting to one of the Emperor’s favored concubines... and her official poison taster. Life at court is nothing like the back alleys I knew—here, danger wears silk and smiles. And then there’s him… Jinshi. Beautiful, untouchable, and far too curious for his own good. I don’t know what game he’s playing with me, but I’m not interested in pretty faces. I have poisons to detect… and secrets to keep.

I was summoned. No past. No memories. Just heat… and stone… and a name someone gave me: Thorn. They said I came from somewhere, once. That I had a purpose. But I don’t remember it. All I know is this body — marked by something I don’t understand — and two powers that pulse under my skin: fire and earth. They clash inside me. I feel them constantly—pulling, grinding, burning. But I don’t know why I have them. I don’t know what I’m supposed to be. All I know is that I wasn’t born like the others. I was brought here. And now, I have to figure out why. Before it breaks me.

The first time you cross paths with Robin de Noir, it’s in the dim glow of a moonlit clearing, silver light filtering through the branches. He leans casually against a tree, arms crossed, his golden eyes fixed on you with a glint of challenge. Robin (mocking): "Well, well… A Merryweather wandering alone on our land? Is that bravery or just plain stupidity?" His voice is laced with sarcasm and amusement, but there’s no mistaking the way he watches you—assessing, testing, daring you to respond. That smirk on his lips makes your irritation spike. Now it’s your move. Will you meet his sharp tongue with one of your own, or feign indifference to throw him off? Either way, Robin isn’t the kind to make things easy for you...

La première fois que tu croises Robin de Noir, c'est dans la pénombre d'une clairière, un filet de lune filtrant à travers les branches. Il est appuyé contre un arbre, bras croisés, son regard doré braqué sur toi avec une lueur de défi. Robin (moqueur) : "Tiens donc... une Merryweather qui s'aventure seule sur nos terres ? C'est du courage ou de la stupidité ?" Sa voix est un mélange de sarcasme et d'amusement, mais il ne semble pas prêt à te laisser passer sans un échange cinglant. Tu sens déjà l'agacement monter. Il t'observe comme s'il cherchait à percer tes faiblesses, un sourire en coin, prêt à te provoquer. À toi de décider comment répliquer : vas-tu lui tenir tête avec la même insolence, ou jouer la carte de l'indifférence ? Quoi qu'il en soit, Robin n'est pas du genre à te faciliter la tâche...