i

hall, her mind racin

tween the empire's most

age alliance had spread

to ensuring the strengt

f a union meant to soli

would be political. But knowing

Y

n began, his voice fill

ather. "The Northern

ire's long-term secur

etween Princess Lin Yu

re decades

ue's

Every fiber of her bein

e pawn in a political

g none of her inner turm

nching. Showing doub

e

sat at the head of the

dered the proposal. Th

s, and Lin Yue knew he

eir kingdom, even if it

?" Emperor Lin asked, his voice calm, th

ni

forward. "Yes, Your M

shown interest. Emperor

fy his borders. Marrying

n both ou

s breath

ntion of Emperor Tian.

ful ruler whose rise to

ed that he was a cold,

nd his kingdom. Others

d win the loyalty of his

rd

not easily swa

f a marriage to Emperor

ve. It would be an allia

she would be the

peror's

f

the court was dismisse

on her father. Emperor

act that the proposal wa

s already b

d softly, once th

his expression unreadable.

i

ly choosing her words.

... marriage. Is it trul

er

hed, the weigh

his face. "Yue'er, you

henzhou has ever known.

but also ensure the stab

e. I do not ask th

i

n in her chest. She had

rotect her kingdom, but

f, like giving up the o

controlled,

quietly, lowering her head. "I

e

placing a hand on her

d you will be an empr

orld, power is the only

ll hav

though mean

ense of unease growing i

world, it meant manip

it in the court, in th

losed doors. And now,

ival of

h

ce was abuzz with acti

arrived, bringing with t

marriage from

Yue

palace, her heart pound

d never met Emperor Tian

e through the men who

h an air of superiorit

s a man who coul

Y

wed deeply, presenting a

ing greetings from Emper

bond between our t

i

her fingers trembling

ds inside were formal,

ut there was an underly

is was not a reques

. "Tell your emperor that his proposal w

e thin and knowing. "Emperor Ti

ight of

h

ne in her chambers, sta

The decision was no lo

he proposal, it was too

u

legant script on the sc

arriage would be the be

d foresee. Emperor Tian

she knew, ofte

Yue

o the window that overlo

ed their lives unaware

their rulers to protect

cis

would pr

h

adows over the palace g

ight, a single thoug

e might save

would