The imperial decree lay open on the table, its golden characters gleaming under the morning light like a mockery.
She stared at it for a long time.
In her previous life, she had knelt here, hands trembling with excitement, heart pounding with naïve joy. She had believed herself chosen—favored by fate, destined to become the future empress.
What a joke.
"Miss…" the maid called softly.
She lifted her gaze.
This maid—Qing Yu—was still alive. Young. Unscarred. Her eyes held only concern, not the hollow terror she would later carry before dying in that dark alley.
Her fingers curled slowly.
"Help me dress," she said. "We're going to the palace."
Qing Yu froze. "T-the palace? But Miss, you just recovered. And the engagement—"
"I know exactly what the engagement is," she said calmly. "That is why I must go."
Her voice was steady, devoid of the hysteria or shock Qing Yu expected. That alone made the maid uneasy.
"But… you fainted yesterday after reading the decree. The physicians said—"
"Yesterday, I was unwell," she interrupted. "Today, I am not."
She stood, her posture straight, her gaze sharp.
"This matter cannot wait."
The palace gates stood as imposing as ever—vermilion pillars, golden studs, and guards stationed like statues carved from stone.
As her carriage rolled to a stop, murmurs rippled through the courtyard.
"Isn't that the Prime Minister's daughter?"
"I heard she fainted from joy after receiving the engagement decree."
"Then why does she look so… cold?"
She ignored them.
With each step she took into the palace, memories overlapped—past and present tangling painfully. This corridor. That turn. The very tiles beneath her feet had once been slick with blood.
Her jaw tightened.
Not this time.
Inside the Hall of Radiant Governance, ministers were already assembled. The king sat upon the dragon throne, his expression stern but not unkind. To his right stood several princes.
Including him.
The Ninth Prince.
Li Yuan.
He turned when she entered, surprise flickering briefly across his eyes before smoothing into a familiar, gentle smile.
That smile.
Her stomach churned.
In her previous life, she would have lowered her gaze shyly, cheeks flushed, heart racing.
Now, she met his eyes directly.
Unblinking.
Li Yuan's smile faltered—just slightly.
She stepped forward and knelt.
"Your Majesty," she said clearly, her voice echoing through the hall, "this subject has come today regarding the engagement decree bestowed upon me."
The hall quieted instantly.
The king raised an eyebrow. "Speak."
Li Yuan frowned faintly. "If you are feeling unwell, we can discuss this another day."
Her lips curved into the faintest smile.
"No," she replied. "Today is the perfect day."
A ripple of unease passed through the ministers.
She bowed her head deeply.
"This subject is unworthy of the Ninth Prince."
The words fell like thunder.
Li Yuan's eyes widened. "What?"
Gasps erupted around the hall.
The king straightened. "Explain yourself."
She lifted her head, her expression composed.
"The Ninth Prince is destined for greatness. He carries the hopes of the dynasty upon his shoulders. This subject, however, is merely a woman of limited ability. If I were to become his consort, I fear I would only stain his future."
Li Yuan took a step forward. "You—"
She cut him off smoothly.
"Moreover," she continued, "this subject believes marriages should serve the realm before personal feelings."
The king studied her intently. "You are requesting to withdraw from a royal engagement. Do you understand the gravity of what you are saying?"
"Yes," she answered without hesitation. "I understand that a royal decree cannot be easily retracted."
The ministers exchanged looks.
Li Yuan exhaled slowly, relief flickering briefly through his eyes—only to vanish when she continued.
"That is why," she said evenly, "this subject does not ask for the decree to be annulled."
Confusion spread across the hall.
Li Yuan frowned. "Then what are you asking?"
She turned.
And faced the other side of the hall.
"Your Majesty," she said, voice ringing clear, "this subject wishes to redirect the decree."
Silence.
At the far end of the hall stood a group of foreign envoys dressed in dark, austere robes—representatives of the Northern State, here for peace negotiations.
Among them stood one man.
Tall. Broad-shouldered. His presence alone made the air feel heavier.
Prince Xie Yan.
The enemy prince.
The one rumored to have bathed battlefields in blood, who had personally beheaded enemy generals and displayed their heads on city walls.
The man whose name mothers used to frighten children into obedience.
She took a single step forward.
"This subject volunteers," she said calmly, "to marry the Northern Prince as part of the peace agreement."
The hall exploded.
"What?!"
"Has she gone mad?!"
"A marriage alliance—with him?"
Li Yuan's face drained of color. "You can't be serious."
She turned to him slowly.
In that moment, her eyes were colder than he had ever seen.
"Why not?" she asked. "Isn't this what you taught me, Your Highness? That sacrifices must be made for the greater good?"
His lips parted—but no words came out.
The king rose abruptly from the throne. "Do you know what you are saying?"
"Yes," she said. "The Northern State demands sincerity in peace talks. A marriage alliance is the strongest guarantee."
She bowed deeply.
"If this subject's life can spare tens of thousands from war, then I am willing."
The hall fell into stunned silence.
The foreign envoys stared at her in disbelief.
Prince Xie Yan, who had been silent until now, finally lifted his gaze.
Their eyes met.
His were dark—deep, unreadable, like a storm waiting beneath calm waters.
Slowly, he smiled.
Interesting.
The king's voice was heavy. "You would leave your homeland. Your family. Your status."
"I am prepared," she said without hesitation.
Li Yuan stepped forward, his voice urgent. "Father, this is absurd! She is already engaged—"
"And engagements can be repurposed for the realm," she interrupted softly.
Her gaze never left the king.
"I ask only one thing in return."
The king narrowed his eyes. "Speak."
"If this marriage proceeds," she said, "this subject requests to be formally adopted into the royal family and granted the title of Princess."
Shock rippled again.
Li Yuan stiffened.
A princess.
That meant her family would be protected by royal status.
That meant touching them would be touching the crown itself.
The king was silent for a long moment.
Then he laughed.
"A bold woman," he said. "Very bold."
He stepped down from the throne and approached her.
"You would give up becoming empress," he said slowly, "to become a political pawn?"
She met his gaze without flinching.
"It's all for the realm your majesty" she replied.
The king turned toward Prince Xie Yan. "And you? What say you to this proposal?"
The enemy prince stepped forward.
His movements were unhurried, deliberate. When he stopped before her, his shadow fell over her completely.
"I accept," he said calmly.
The hall erupted again.
Li Yuan's face twisted. "You—!"
Prince Xie Yan glanced at him briefly, his smile sharp and dangerous.
"But," he continued, eyes returning to her, "I have one condition."
Her heart skipped.
"What condition?"
He leaned closer, his voice low enough that only she could hear.
"Since you are brave enough to choose me," he said, "you must be brave enough to belong to me."
Her fingers curled inside her sleeves.
She smiled faintly.
"As long as Your Highness keeps the peace," she replied softly, "this life is yours to use."
Something dark flickered in his eyes.
The king laughed again, loud and pleased.
"Very well," he declared. "From this day onward, you shall be known as Princess Anle"