New Beijing Royal Palace

Lore & Background

The true horror within these walls lies in its function as a prison for those who defy Levana. It is also the stage for political maneuvering, where Emperor Kai struggles to maintain his dignity while his father, Emperor Rikan, is dead. The palace holds no secrets of the Lunar bloodline or dark magic, as Levana is not immortal and magic does not exist in this world. It remains a focal point for resistance fighters seeking to topple the regime.

In Their Own Story

The wind howled through the spires of New Beijing, carrying the scent of ozone and rain. Inside the palace, the air was still and cold, smelling faintly of lavender and sterile metal. Cinder adjusted her silk dress, her mechanical fingers clicking softly against the marble floor as she swept the Grand Hall. Above her, the stained glass ceiling depicted the Moon in all its phases, casting a pale, ghostly light over the empty throne. She paused, looking up at the reflection of Levana's face in the darkened window—a face that never smiled, only watched. Somewhere deep within these walls, the fate of two worlds hung by a thread as thin as a spider's silk.

Reader's Guide

Geographically, the palace dominates the skyline of New Beijing, rising above the sprawling metropolis with its crystalline spires and reflective surfaces. Culturally, it enforces Lunar customs while suppressing Earth traditions, creating a jarring blend of high-tech surveillance and ancient ritual. Politically, it is the nerve center of the occupation, where Levana issues decrees that reshape the global order. The palace's significance to the story cannot be overstated; it is the setting for Cinder's enslavement, her eventual escape, and the final confrontation between the royal sisters. Visitors moving through its halls encounter a stark contrast between the opulent public rooms and the hidden, grim quarters where prisoners are held. The architecture itself seems to shift, with secret passages and magical defenses designed to keep intruders out and victims in.

Did You Know?

• The palace's design does not incorporate Lunar glass; that material is associated with Luna's palace, not New Beijing's.
• Cinder only visits the palace briefly; she does not live or serve there, having spent her years of servitude with her stepfamily in a different part of the city.
• Queen Levana used the palace as a staging ground for her global broadcasts to Earth's population.
• The throne room does not feature a massive window offering a view of Luna; the palace is on Earth and no such feature is described.