Third person POV
Yuexin sat quietly in the royal tea hall.
The room was filled with nobles.
Everywhere she looked, there were beautiful gowns, expensive jewellery and people whispering behind their sleeves.
She kept her hands folded on her lap.
Something about today felt strange.
Her father sat beside her.
He looked unusually pleased.
Her mother was quieter than usual.
Yuexin looked between them.
“Father.”
Duke Li Jian turned towards her.
“Yes, Yuexin?”
“Why does everyone look so happy?”
He smiled.
“You will understand soon.”
That answer only made her more nervous.
She looked around again.
The royal family had gathered.
The Emperor sat at the centre of the hall.
Beside him was the Dowager Empress.
And standing a little away from everyone else was the Crown Prince.
Zhao Wuchen.
Yuexin's eyes landed on him.
She immediately looked away.
She had heard enough about him.
The Crown Prince was the most powerful young man in the empire.
A brilliant military commander.
Cold.
Strict.
Almost impossible to approach.
People feared him.
Even nobles lowered their voices whenever he walked past.
Yuexin had never spoken to him properly before.
So why was her father smiling like he had just received the greatest news of his life?
The Emperor raised his cup.
The room slowly became silent.
“I believe everyone understands why we have gathered today.”
Yuexin's stomach tightened.
Her father straightened.
The Emperor looked towards Duke Li Jian.
“For years, the Li family has remained one of the most loyal noble families in the empire.”
Duke Li Jian immediately bowed.
“It is our honour, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor nodded.
“And the royal family has always valued that loyalty.”
Yuexin swallowed.
She didn't like where this was going.
The Emperor continued.
“We have decided that the two families should be united.”
The hall erupted into quiet murmurs.
Yuexin's fingers tightened around the fabric of her dress.
United?
She looked at her father.
He was smiling.
Her mother lowered her eyes.
Yuexin's heart began beating faster.
No.
She already knew.
She just didn't want to believe it.
The Emperor turned his attention towards her.
“Lady Li Yuexin.”
She immediately stood.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“You are the only daughter of Duke Li Jian.”
“Yes.”
“You will marry the Crown Prince.”
Silence.
For a moment, Yuexin couldn't hear anything.
She simply stood there.
Marry?
The Crown Prince?
Her eyes slowly moved towards Zhao Wuchen.
He was already looking at her.
His expression was unreadable.
No smile.
No surprise.
Nothing.
Yuexin's heart sank.
She looked back at the Emperor.
“Your Majesty…”
Her voice came out smaller than she expected.
The Emperor smiled.
“This marriage will unite two powerful families and strengthen the empire.”
Around her, the nobles began congratulating her family.
“Congratulations, Duke Li.”
“What wonderful news.”
“The Crown Prince and Lady Yuexin will make a beautiful couple.”
Yuexin barely heard them.
Her father grabbed her hand.
“Yuexin.”
She looked at him.
“This is an honour.”
He looked so happy.
Her mother smiled softly.
“You will become the Crown Princess.”
Yuexin forced a smile.
“I understand.”
But she didn't.
Not completely.
She looked at Zhao Wuchen again.
He had already turned away.
As if the announcement meant nothing to him.
Her chest tightened.
Was this really happening?
She had always imagined her wedding differently.
Not because she dreamed of marrying the Crown Prince.
But because marriage was supposed to be something chosen by two people.
Not arranged by an entire empire.
The Dowager Empress suddenly spoke.
“Come closer, child.”
Yuexin walked towards her.
The elderly woman studied her carefully.
There was something strange about her eyes.
Almost as if she knew something Yuexin didn't.
“You have a gentle heart,” the Dowager Empress said.
Yuexin bowed.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“You will need strength.”
Yuexin looked up.
The Dowager Empress smiled.
“More than you know.”
Before Yuexin could ask what she meant, the woman looked away.
Yuexin returned to her seat.
Her father leaned closer.
“You should be happy.”
“I am.”
“You don't sound happy.”
“I just need time.”
Her father laughed softly.
“You will get used to him.”
Yuexin looked towards the Crown Prince.
He was speaking to one of the generals.
He didn't even look in her direction.
Maybe Father was right.
Maybe she only needed time.
Maybe this marriage could work.
Maybe—
“Lady Li.”
Yuexin turned.
A young noblewoman smiled at her.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“You are very lucky.”
Yuexin forced another smile.
“Yes.”
Lucky.
That was what everyone kept saying.
She was lucky.
She was blessed.
She was going to marry the future Emperor.
But for some reason, Yuexin couldn't stop the uneasy feeling in her chest.
She looked at Wuchen again.
This time, their eyes met.
His silver eyes were cold.
He stared at her for a few seconds.
Then he looked away.
Yuexin lowered her eyes.
Maybe she had expected too much.
After all, he had never chosen her.
The empire had.
And perhaps that was enough.
At least for now.
The tea party continued.
Nobles laughed.
Servants carried trays across the hall.
Her father spoke excitedly with other officials.
Her mother remained beside her.
Everything looked perfect.
Yet Yuexin couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to go terribly wrong.
She looked down at her hands.
A strange thought crossed her mind.
What if this happiness didn't last?
She quickly pushed the thought away.
Today was supposed to be a celebration.
She shouldn't ruin it with fear.
She took a slow breath.
Then she looked towards the Crown Prince one more time.
Zhao Wuchen stood tall among the nobles.
Cold.
Distant.
Untouchable.
Soon, he would be her husband.
And Yuexin had no idea that this marriage would soon become the beginning of everything she would lose.