The news of the celestial kingdom's envoy spread quickly through the streets of Svarṇapatha. Whispers danced between merchants and travellers, bouncing from the busy marketplaces to the royal gardens where the royal family retreated for peace. The proposal had the empire abuzz, each citizen with their opinion, but most knew their voices would not matter in the final decision.
As the days passed, the looming presence of the celestial kingdom felt closer, its shadow stretching over the grand palaces and simple homes alike. The envoys of the celestial kingdom, clad in silk robes of the deepest red, arrived at the gates of the capital with great ceremony. Their royal insignias shimmered in the sunlight, and their royal steed was a beast of legend—tall and proud, with its mane shimmering like threads of gold. The beast's deep blue eyes seemed to reflect the skies themselves, matching the quiet strength that surrounded the prince's representatives.
But for Princess Revati, this spectacle was only the surface. She could feel the quiet tension beneath the rituals, the fragile weight of tradition holding them together. The offer of marriage from the dragon emperor's son was not just an offer—it was a strategic move, a piece on the grand chessboard of empire. What would it mean for Svarṇapatha to marry into such an ancient, far-reaching dynasty?
Revati stood at her father's side, watching as the grand procession entered the palace grounds. She could see the carefully orchestrated choreography of the occasion, the official welcome, the exchange of ceremonial gifts, the sweet scent of jasmine perfuming the air. But her mind was elsewhere, on the nature of these foreign lands and their ruler. The dragon emperor—an enigmatic figure who ruled with both cruelty and wisdom. His son, Prince Shen Liwei, had been trained in the ways of war and diplomacy, yet little was known about his personal nature.
The emperor of Svarṇapatha turned to his daughter, his gaze reflecting both pride and concern. "Revati, my daughter, you stand as the key to the future of our people. This marriage—this union—will affect the generations to come. Do not take it lightly."
Revati nodded, but her heart fluttered with the weight of the decision. She had been prepared for many things in life—marriage, rule, and diplomacy—but never had she felt so helpless in the face of it. Would she become a pawn in the politics of empires? Or could she, in some way, shape the destiny that was being handed to her?
"Father," she spoke, her voice steady despite the whirlwind in her heart, "what do you expect of me?"
The emperor smiled; his weathered face full of affection. "I expect you to be wise. You are the heart of this kingdom, Revati. The people look to you for guidance and leadership. But I also know you have the strength to make your own choices. This marriage, should you accept it, will not be the end of your journey—it will be the beginning."
But Revati knew that not all choices were entirely her own. A political marriage was not simply a matter of the heart; it was a strategic maneuver, one that had implications far beyond personal desires. She had heard the rumours—the celestial kingdom sought to expand its borders, to gain influence over the trade routes that ran along Svarṇapatha's northern frontier. The marriage of their prince to a royal daughter of Svarṇapatha would cement that power, solidifying the bond between two great empires.
As the envoys entered the palace and stood in the great hall, Revati studied their faces. Their eyes were cold, calculating—everything about them screamed discipline and control. They were warriors, diplomats, and scholars all at once. It was easy to see that they had been trained from childhood to serve the dragon emperor's will.
At the center of the delegation stood one figure who seemed to tower above the rest, even though he was a mere shadow among his companions. The leader of the celestial kingdom's envoys—a tall man with dark, brooding eyes and an air of calm authority. His features were sharp, but there was a quiet fire in his gaze that did not go unnoticed by Revati. This was Prince Shen Liwei, though he was still a distant figure—more myth than man in her mind.
He looked directly at Revati, his gaze piercing, though he did not speak. His eyes seemed to scrutinize her, weighing her as one might weigh a precious stone. Revati met his gaze with equal intensity, though her heart did not race—no, it steadied. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, but her exterior remained unshaken. If this man—this prince—were to be her future, then she would meet him on her terms, not on the terms of political intrigue.
As the ceremonial exchanges began, a sense of finality settled over Revati. She had seen the weight of the world pressing down on her shoulders, but this moment marked the turning point. The fate of Svarṇapatha lay not just in her father's hands, but in hers as well. What path would she choose? What alliances would she form? The dance of power had already begun, and she was both a participant and an observer.