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The Hands of the Emperor
An impulsive word can start a war.
A timely word can stop one.
A simple act of friendship can change the course of history.
Cliopher Mdang is the personal secretary of the Last Emperor of Astandalas, the Lord of Rising Stars, the Lord Magus of Zunidh, the Sun-on-Earth, the god.
He has spent more time with the Emperor of Astandalas than any other person.
He has never once touched his lord.
He has never called him by name.
He has never initiated a conversation.
One day Cliopher invites the Sun-on-Earth home to the proverbially remote Vangavaye-ve for a holiday.
The mere invitation could have seen Cliopher executed for blasphemy.
The acceptance upends the world.
The Hands of the Emperor
The Hands of the Emperor
Cozy Pairings
Langston is a warm and expressive fragrance that opens with spiced notes of nutmeg and clove, softened by the richness of worn leather. At its heart, delicate jasmine and smoky cade add depth and complexity, creating a balance between softness and warmth. The scent settles into a smooth base of vanilla, sandalwood, and amber, bringing a gentle sweetness and a lasting warmth. Layered and inviting, this fragrance feels both comforting and full of character, with a richness that lingers beautifully in the air.
Why we chose this: Cliopher Mdang has spent more time with the Emperor than anyone alive, and has never once touched him, never called him by name, never initiated a conversation. Then one day he invited the Sun-on-Earth home for a holiday, and the world changed. Langston carries the warm, deeply thoughtful quality of a story about what it means to truly see another person and to offer them something as simple and as radical as friendship, layered with nutmeg and clove and the quiet depth of sandalwood that smells like a life lived with extraordinary care and intention. Light this candle as Cliopher waits to see whether the invitation will be accepted, and let the warmth fill the room like a moment before everything shifts, quiet and full of everything that has not yet been said.