The morning glow stretched over the balcony of Prince Liang Chen's chamber. Dawn had awakened, and the capital beamed with enthusiastic people going about their daily activities. But most importantly, they talked about the prince's wedding. It was final, set for tonight.
Everyone seemed to welcome the news with shock, then happiness, but the bride-to-be sat on his bed, his eyes staring out the window as thoughts ravaged his mind. Deep down, he wanted to disobey the decree, but the system had confirmed the marriage.
"My prince," Shen's calm voice called from outside.
"Come in," Liang Chen whispered, just loud enough, and soon the door creaked open.
Eunuch Shen was not alone. A trail of servants marched in, each carrying an object. The phoenix-red wedding gown was well displayed, jewels of the finest were laid on boards, and a headband was made of pure silk. This was his dream, but then, he was to walk down into the arms of the one he hated most.
"So much for some second chance," he hissed.
As if the heavens had not toyed with him enough, a second knock echoed, and this time, before he could usher the intruder in, the door slammed open.
A fuming Wang Yourong stood there, her face red, her hands trembling. She stepped in, her pink gown grazing the floor behind her, her hair carefully styled upwards and held with the most golden, sparkling hairpin. But her radiant smile was replaced with sadness.
"My prince," she choked as she stepped forward. Shen turned to Liang Chen, as if asking permission to let her advance further, and he nodded.
"I thought you said you loved me?" she asked, falling to her knees. "How can you disregard our union? I love you," she wept bitterly.
But Liang Chen felt nothing. Maybe once, he had been willing to fight for her. In that life, he was ready to oppose any union with the last drop of his blood. However, now… she was nothing but a joke, not even worth his time, let alone a lifetime promise
"Lady Yourong, the marriage is for peace, our prince..."
"No! The prince of Yelan can choose another. He can marry as many as he wants. Why does it have to be my betrothed?" Wang Yourong yelled. At the poor servant. Shen quickly moved to the side, not wanting to inquire about her rot.
"My father won't allow it!"
"Your father!" Liang Chen chuckled bitterly. Indeed, the prime minister would do anything to have his daughter in power. As his only child, he was used to bending the rules to her liking and punishing even the innocent for her comfort. But this was not one of those times.
"Should I take it that you and your father want the ruin of Yunzhou?" Liang Chen roared.
"I am to wed the prince of Yelan, and that is final. Not even your superficial love, or your father, can do anything about it."
Yourong opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.
"See Lady Yourong out," Liang Chen ordered as he casually walked over to the balcony.
"Do you like him?" Wang Yourong's voice echoed, catching everyone off guard.
Eunuch Shen's steps halted, his eyes turning toward his prince along with every other servant in the room. Liang Chen's fingers tightened on the railing, his breath hitched, and his knees almost buckled. It couldn't be love… no, he hated his guts and wished for his death. "It couldn't be love," he repeated in his head.
But the woman behind him wasn't done.
"How long have you been planning this?" she asked and then stepped further. "You don't have to pretend you don't see the way he looks at you. His eyes always seemed fixed only on you, even with a thousand beauties in the room. His direction has always been by your side, even when your back is turned to him. Did he finally confess?"
Now her words were ridiculous.
"Take her out," Liang Chen growls.
The guards dragged Yourong out, but her words clung to Liang Chen like a leech. His mind dwelt on the situation.
"It couldn't be… right?" he asked out loud. He knew Mingyuan better; it was the same man who had held a dagger to his throat, ruined his kingdom, and ended his dynasty… If that was her definition of love, then it was certainly a twisted one.
The Royal Envoy of Yelan couldn't return home, not yet. Within the eastern wing of the Xianlan Palace, Prince Ji Mingyuan and his people were given a place to stay. The prince had been gone since the royal proclamation, and now he was back, acting like all was going exactly as planned.
The ministers had just barged into his quarters, their voices rising in murmurs, louder and more audible.
"What of your betrothed? She was raised to know she would marry the crown prince. How can you go back on your promise to the Fie clan?" Minister Wan Shu barked like an angry dog.
Ji Mingyuan did not reply right away. He walked over to the table and pulled out a seat. The day was tiring, the journey hectic, and his bones needed rest. But the three expectant eyes before him did not seem like those willing to let him have his peace.
"Yelan and Yunzhou at peace is the best outcome of this alliance. Or should we opt for war?" Mingyuan groaned, massaging his temples.
"I am to marry the prince of Yunzhou tonight, and by dawn, we depart for Yelan. Be ready."
"Your highness, how can Yelan lower itself by you marrying a man? What legacy does that leave our people?" Ji Mingyuan's steps halted, his body stiffened. He turned his cold gaze settled on the speaker.
"Male consorts aren't unheard of," he muttered dismissively.
"What about an heir? The kingdom needs a legacy to look forward to," another minister added.
Ji Mingyuan's eyes narrowed, his face darkened, and his fist clenched.
"Legacy? Yelan's future lies in my hands, not in the womb of a minister's daughter." He stood and walked into his room without further words.
The ministers groaned, but he was their prince; they had to follow orders.
Ji Mingyuan's clothes were delivered on time. By sunset, he stood before the giant mirror in his room, staring at his reflection.
"For years, I've dreamt of this day." A small smile crept on his lips. "Every time I woke up, the bed was empty. And you… You were miles away."
His gaze was directed to the balcony. He walked over, his steps firm and calm. Below, the capital was alive. Lanterns lit the streets, and banners of well-wishes hung on every corner and household.
And at the other end, he saw him. Staring out of the balcony, lost within himself.
Ji Mingyuan leaned back, his eyes fixed on his favorite view. It didn't matter if he was angry, sad, or outright difficult; he would choose him at any given point in time.
"Liang Chen," the name rolled down his tongue like honey.
"You're mine," he whispered, his eyes flickering with a thousand emotions.
Prince Liang Chen turned; for a moment, he could've sworn he heard his name, but he was alone. His mind couldn't let go of Yunrong's accusations. He couldn't love the devil of Yelan, but for some reason, his name echoed in his head rent-free, and his chest ached in the same spot the blade had once pierced.
"This has to be hate… it must be."
[System Mission: Emotional Bond – Graze His Bed]