The sun hung low in the sky, casting long, golden rays over the Weston estate's shooting range. Annette stood tall, her stance firm as she adjusted her younger brother's grip on the rifle. "You're holding it too high, Liam. You won't hit the target that way."
Liam grumbled but obeyed, adjusting his stance. "I thought I was doing fine."
Annette smirked, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Fine isn't enough. You need to aim with precision. Don't just fire blindly—focus."
With a deep breath, Liam aimed again, his finger hovering over the trigger. Annette watched him intently, her focus unwavering, despite the affectionate teasing between them. Liam looked at her with admiration. Liam had often marveled at how someone so poised and graceful could also be so fierce and opinionated.
The sharp crack of the shot echoed through the air, and Liam's eyes widened as the bullet hit closer to the bullseye than before.
"There! Much better," Annette praised, giving her brother a proud nod. "Keep that up, and maybe you'll give me some real competition."
Liam grinned, lowering the rifle. "Maybe one day."
As they exchanged light banter, the sound of footsteps on gravel caught their attention. Their father, Richard Weston, approached, his presence commanding, yet softened by the fond smile he reserved for his children.
"How's my marksman doing?" Richard asked, though it was clear his attention drifted to Annette, a proud but wistful look crossing his face.
"Getting better," Liam replied, though it was Annette who met their father's gaze with an inquisitive look.
Richard smiled, though the fleeting thought crossed his mind again: If only Annette were a boy. She had the intelligence, the charm, and the poise that would have made her a fine heir to his business empire. But alas, that wasn't the path society laid before her.
Annette, perceptive as ever, noticed the brief flicker in her father's expression but said nothing. Instead, she set the rifle aside and gracefully turned toward him. "Father, how did your meeting go?"
Richard raised an eyebrow, not at all caught off guard at her question. Annette had always been curious about his dealings. And this one pertained to her future as much as it did to their family business.
"The meeting went well," Richard replied, his tone light. "Lord Heinz is a very... shrewd man."
Annette's interest piqued, her eyes soft yet intent. "Did he agree to the merger? And the marriage?" she asked, her voice gentle but with an underlying interest.
Richard chuckled softly. "Yes, my dear. Karlheinz has agreed to the arrangement. You'll be marrying his eldest son, Shuu."
Annette raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms as she considered the name. Shuu Heinz. She had heard of him before—vaguely. The oldest of the Heinz family, the heir to their empire. He was said to be aloof, uninterested in his role, but that hardly mattered. The strategic value of the marriage alliance was all that concerned her.
"Shuu Heinz," she repeated thoughtfully. "The oldest son. If I marry him, it will solidify his position as the next head of the family, no matter how many brothers he has."
Her father nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Even with five more brothers, this marriage will give him the standing he needs to become the future head of the Heinz empire. And with our alliance, no one will be able to challenge him."
Annette lowered her gaze for a moment, the weight of her responsibility settling on her shoulders. Yet, she managed a small, graceful smile. "I see... I understand the importance of this. If it will help both our families, I'm ready."
Richard placed a hand on her shoulder, his eyes filled with a mixture of pride and admiration. "You've always had a good head on your shoulders, Annette. This marriage will be more than just an alliance—it will be a new chapter for you. You'll bring strength to their family, just as you have to ours."
Annette blushed slightly under her father's praise, though she remained poised. She wasn't entirely naïve—she knew her marriage would involve more than love. But she had always imagined that, even in a marriage of strategy, there could be some understanding, some mutual respect. She hoped for that, at least.
"I'll do my best," she said softly, her tone still laced with resolve.
Liam, who had been quietly observing the conversation, finally spoke up, his brow furrowed. "Do you think you'll like him? Shuu, I mean."
Annette glanced at her brother, her smile gentle but a little distant. "I don't know, Liam. But whether I do or not, that isn't what matters most. I'll make it work."
Richard watched his daughter with admiration. Even as a girl, she carried herself with the dignity and intelligence he had always hoped for in a son. But her femininity, too, was a strength—a quiet power that would make her an asset in ways the world might not immediately see.
As the sun set behind them, casting the range in a soft, amber glow, Annette stood tall, knowing that the path before her was set. She would marry Shuu Heinz, and together they would secure not only the future of their families but their place in the ever-shifting power dynamics of the world.