Master Mo was once a warlord. Even after retiring from his service towards the imperial family, the late Emperor had granted him land to live on.
It was on the western outskirts of the empire, a neighbor to the Jianghu and the Land of Ice.
Orphans and refugees from warring lands would all flock to this place years later, people that would have had no value if left alone were taught martial arts by Master Mo and pardoned by the emperor.
The orphans in particular, whenever one came of age to leave, growing up under Master Mo's tutelage was akin to having served in the frontlines of military, they could get into any militia and start off at a higher position. For a girl, going out in the world as a girl of Master Mo's was like being the daughter of a mafia boss. It'd weed out average men leaving her with the arrogant, greedy, and the reckless.
Anna considered this as she sat outside in a corner of the orphanage grounds. Staring blankly at the envelopes that had already opened.
The Jianghu was completely out of the question, although women had freedom there and were allowed to be in positions of power and work, everyone was too free-spirited and open-minded when it came to relationships. There were even cases of women being shared between brothers, raped to death. It depended on the family but it was still too risky.
The Pharmacist's son was polite, but she knew his family was too traditional. She's the most shocked by his proposal, as he never showed much interest in her to begin with.
The Head Merchant's son was talented but he liked her simply because she was beautiful. She had seen the gazes he'd send other pretty girls and knew marrying him was damning herself to the position of concubine or even worse.
Then there was the fourth prince of Cho Kingdom, the insecure emissary. She had only met him once but she didn't harbor any feelings of dislike about the incident. A powerful family where even being born as a Prince was not enough if you were weak...
Why would he send a proposal after everything that had happened? Didn't he hate her? She recalled Grattaham's words.
From the bushes, they watched Anna hold the purple letter the longest, seeing that she had no sign of putting it down he emerged from the bushes.
"I know you're not thinking of marrying that bug!"
Anna turned her head at the sound of sudden screeching and turned to see children emerging out of the bushes.
She felt tired all of a sudden.
As she stared at them apathetically, this concerned the children who had grown accustomed to her attentive and warm looks.
She asked. "What are you all doing here?"
"Maika said you're getting married!" The children surrounded her, all their faces frowning.
"Even if I don't, I still have to leave the orphanage." Her reaction was calm as she bent down to collect her letters.
Ting Yue beat her to it. He collected the letters and ripped them into shreds, a flicker of fire blazing in them there.
"You can't!"
Anna blinked a couple of times, she closed her eyes shielding herself from his alpha male energy.
"Says who?" she asked calmly.
He beat his chest vehemently. "Says me!"
"I see... Ting Yue what are you to me?"
His mouth quick to open, his face flushed.
Anna flatly responded. "The answer is nothing."
"You are just a child, you hold no position or authority over me that allows you to dictate my life."
Ting Yue's face froze as if someone put him on pause. Perhaps what she said would damage him but this was for the best. Anna steeled herself as she stood.
"Sister is sister!" The children responded in his stead seeing that she was going to walk away.
Anna turned back, her face contemplative as she nodded.
"Mmm, during my stay here. I loved you all as I would if I had more siblings. You all are like my family." Her eyes curved with warmth seeping out.
The children smiled at the words "love". and "family."
But Ting Yue's flinched at the word "siblings" and knitted his brows.
"Sister Anna, has to marry me!" The child declared.
Anna's mind went blank, seeing his eyes that were ablaze with determination and seriousness, she knew if she laughed he would get angry.
Her smile and voice was gentle.
"I refuse."
The fire in his eyes was doused.
"W-why not?"
"Do you have a house?" She asked him.
Ting Yue gaped at her. The children stared at him then her, in awe.
"Do you have a job?"
He frowned. "That's not fair..."
"Do you have power that would allow you to look for others should you lose them?"
Ting Yue's gaze only became more heated as he pursed his lips.
"Do you have money that will let me buy all the art supplies I want? Assuming you forbid me from running my own business?"
Ting Yue's angrily spat. "That's not fair! You know I'm just a kid!"
"That's right. you're a child, Ting Yue. You're not old enough to meet these requirements. When it comes to the matters of the future and the heart, there isn't a matter of fairness. If you can't meet the basic requirements, then at the very least I should love you romantically to be willing to go through any type of hardships."
"Then if you love me why can't-
"Love romantically. There are different types of love people can have for someone my dear. The love I have for you and the children are platonic"
Listening the children tilted their heads.
"Pla-to-nik..."
"What's that?"
"Platonic love is the feeling you have towards your friends and family. You care deeply for that person, and you wish them well and will do anything to protect them but that's the extent of it."
"With romantic love, you love a person so much you would be willing to do romantic things, bear their children, and start a family together. During hard times you support the other. Protect each other, spend time with each other forever."
Ting Yue's eyes narrowed into slits.
"You will find your other half in time, Ting Yue." She reached down to pat his head but he swatted it with such viciousness she feared her hand would fly off.
He glared at her, hurt shimmering in his eyes.
"I will always love you all, forever!" She used the same hand to tousle his hair, her smile widening.
When he tried to do the same thing, she used her other hand.
"Nothing you say or do can ever change that."
Ting Yue tried to push her away as she pulled him into a hug, but seeing that she did not give up, he gave up and took note of her warmth and scent. His eyes misting.
Afterwards, she released him and went around hugging the other children one by one.
"Even if we're far apart, I'll always love you and pray for your safety."