Over wine, maps, and glimmering promises, the men laid their proposal bare:
> "Your son, Qingsai, is the Soulkindled reborn," the king began. "A divine force… but unstable. Directionless."
> "He will need structure," said Lu Yanshou. "Loyalty. Bonds to this kingdom."
> "And what better way," the prime minister added, "than through marriage?"
The names followed, one by one:
Princess Meiyan Zhuanyi — the king's daughter.
Lady Chunsi Fengrui — the prime minister's daughter.
Lianhua Yanshou — the court mage's granddaughter, a powerful spirit-adept.
Luren's face remained a mask. "You would tie him down with politics."
"We would elevate him," the king corrected. "Three noble wives. He will be safe. Respected. And… bound."
Then came the offer:
> "Lands in the north. Ten thousand gold obols. A seat among the outer nobles of Orilan's Second Court. For you… and your line."
Luren was silent.
Then—he nodded.
Just once.
> "I accept."