▬▬▬▬  THE MORNING AFTER Sukuna's visit, you were graced with the silent, simmering energy of the palace. The servants moved through the hallways with swift, hushed steps, careful not to disturb the tense stillness that hung in the air. You could feel it. The entire palace, a delicate thing of politics and power, had drawn a thin line in the sand around you.

It was not just the concubines you had to worry about. In a palace like this, power was held not only by the men who dominated but by the women who survived.

And this, you were starting to realize, was a test.

From the very moment Sukuna dragged you into his world, this game had begun. You were not here just as a guest—you were a piece in a much larger game, one that would either break you or forge you into something new.

It was time to prove which you would become.

The pavilion was grand—more magnificent than any other you had seen in your life. The vast open space, surrounded by walls adorned with intricate paintings of dragons and phoenixes, was bathed in the soft glow of golden lamps, their warm flicker matching the somber weight of the day.

But in the center of it all stood a single object—a black lacquered box, too simple for such an extravagant setting, too ominous for the silk-clad courtiers who gathered nearby.

It was not a gift, not an offering. No, it was a test.

As you stepped into the pavilion, the silence immediately wrapped around you. The other concubines, their silken robes in colors of crimson, black, and gold, were already present, eyes trained on the box and the unfolding drama. At the head of the pavilion, Sukuna sat on his raised throne, his four eyes narrowing on you as you entered.

His gaze was a mix of curiosity and expectation, and his lips curled into a small, dangerous smile.

"Come forward," he called, his voice a deep growl that echoed in the stillness.

You approached the throne without hesitation, your steps steady as the concubines watched with bated breath. Most of them were seated on cushions, hands resting on their laps, faces calm but eyes flicking between you and Sukuna. Jisai, the one who had confronted you yesterday, was watching you with calculating interest, as though she were looking for a reason to either admire or destroy you.

As you reached the box, Sukuna's gaze sharpened.

"You are not like the others," he said, more to himself than to you. His tone was dark, thoughtful. "I have been watching you. But the game must be played, regardless of who you are."

You didn't respond immediately. Instead, your golden eyes locked with his, your hands folded neatly in front of you, revealing your composure. You understood—this was his test, but it was more than that. It was a demand. A challenge to prove you were worthy of staying here, worthy of his interest.

"Open it," he said finally, a slight flicker of amusement in his voice.

You bent down slowly, the weight of the other women's gazes pressing into you like a thousand invisible chains. The box was cold, smooth lacquer that reflected the dim light like a dark mirror. Your hands brushed over it before you pulled it open, revealing its contents.

Inside was a small jade figurine, carved into the shape of a phoenix, delicate and detailed. However, what caught your attention was the thin, black ribbon tied tightly around its neck.

Your brow furrowed slightly, but you did not let any confusion flicker across your face.

Without hesitation, you reached for the figurine, feeling the weight of the black ribbon in your fingers. As you lifted it up, the soft rustle of silk broke the silence. A whisper, quick and faint, but the words carried in the air like a warning—

"Break it."

It was Uraume who had spoken. They had appeared silently at your side, their eyes as cold and calculating as ever.

"Break the figurine," Uraume repeated, their voice unwavering. "If you do, you will show Sukuna your strength. If you do not, you will prove you are weak, and you will be nothing more than a tool."

You could feel the weight of the decision pressing in on you. The figurine was delicate, like fragile glass, and the black ribbon around its neck was a symbol of restraint. Breaking it would mean defiance, strength, but also irreversible damage. It would also set you apart from the others—a woman who dared to do what no one else had the courage to do.

But if you chose not to break it...

"I won't do it."

The words slipped from your lips without hesitation, calm and steady. The figurine was too beautiful to be destroyed, and you knew that breaking it meant nothing but further entangling yourself in his dangerous web.

Sukuna's eyes flashed, his amusement fading as he leaned forward, the air in the pavilion tightening.

"You would refuse me?" His voice, though calm, was laced with an unmistakable edge.

You raised your gaze, unwavering. "It is a test, and I will not play by your rules."

A long silence fell over the room. The concubines exchanged glances, some of them whispering behind their fans, some watching in silence. But all of them were watching you—waiting.

Finally, Sukuna spoke. "You are either the bravest woman I have met... or the most foolish."

You did not flinch under his gaze. You simply stayed still, hands resting gently on the figurine.

Sukuna leaned back, his expression unreadable. The tension in the room was palpable, suffocating, but you did not look away.

"You pass," Sukuna said suddenly, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade.

A collective breath was released. Some of the concubines blinked in disbelief, while others stared at you with undisguised disdain. Jisai's eyes flashed with what could have been disappointment, but she quickly masked it behind a well-practiced smile.

"You've done something that none of the others could have done," Sukuna continued, his voice smooth, yet still edged with something darker. "You did not break. You did not fold."

The figurine still rested in your hands, unbroken, untouched. You had passed the first test, but the game was far from over. Sukuna's amusement had not completely faded—if anything, it was magnified, the dangerous edge of his smile growing wider.

"You will have your place in this court," he said. "But you will be tested again and again."

And with that, you realized—this palace was not a sanctuary. It was a battleground. A war fought with silk, words, and power, where every concubine played a role in the dangerous dance that was their survival.

You were not a guest anymore.

You were his concubine—a pawn, a queen, and a target all at once.

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