By the time I returned home, my head felt like it had been stuffed with palace whispers, judgmental stares, and one very irritating Lady Hua.
I was suffocating.
The palace had been loud — not with celebration, but with quiet cruelty. Smiles sharpened into knives. Words slipped like poison. And somewhere between the Crown Prince's wedding banners and Jin Wei's absence from the main hall, I had come to a realization I really didn't ask for.
This place doesn't forgive weakness.
And it definitely doesn't forgive people like Jin Wei.
I barely had time to breathe before a servant intercepted me.
"Miss, Master requests your presence."
Ah.
Of course he does.
Because why would life let me process a single thought in peace?
Father sat in his study, calm and dignified, as if he wasn't about to drop a bomb on my already fragile mental health. Tea steamed gently beside him. He gestured for me to sit.
I did. Suspiciously.
"You're of age," he began.
Oh no.
I knew this opening.
This was the same opening used in every desi household before emotional damage.
"I've arranged your marriage."
There it is.
I stared at him. "That was fast."
He frowned. "This isn't something to joke about."
"It is when I didn't apply for it," I replied.
He ignored me. Typical.
"The groom is the second son of a prominent family," Father continued. "Respectable. Wealthy. And most importantly—"
I leaned forward. "Let me guess. No connection to the throne whatsoever."
He paused. "…Yes."
Bingo.
So safe.
So harmless.
So politically useless.
That's what father yang thinks. He is the most trusty advisor of the king but he wanted all his kids to avoid palace politics.
"No," I said immediately.
Father raised an eyebrow. "No?"
"I don't want to get married," I clarified. "And definitely not to someone I've never even met."
Hell I don't even want to marry. Even if I think of marriage my mother will sure gonna kill me and the guy too. So please no.....
His gaze hardened.
"Do you think this is about what you want?" he asked calmly. "There are rumors."
Ah yes.
The *rumors*.
"People are talking," he continued. "About you and Jin Wei. About your frequent visits. About your… involvement."
I almost laughed.
"So instead of correcting them, you want to permanently ruin my life?"
"This marriage will protect you," he said. "Your reputation is already fragile. It's best you marry quickly."
Quickly.
Like an expired product being discounted before it goes bad.
I clenched my hands. "And what about my freedom?"
"You'll have stability."
"And what about my choice?"
"You'll have safety."
Classic.
This was not a conversation.
This was a verdict.
I leaned back in my chair and let out a slow breath.
"This is going to be crazy," I muttered.
Father looked at me sharply. "What did you say?"
"Oh nothing," I replied sweetly. "Just realizing my life has officially turned into a tragic comedy."
Because if the palace was trying to erase Jin Wei…
And my father was trying to cage me…
Then fine.
If marriage was unavoidable, I would choose the battlefield.
If my name was already being dragged into rumors…
I might as well decide which ones become truth.
I stood up, bowed slightly, and smiled like a dutiful daughter.
"I understand," I said.
Father nodded, satisfied.
But as I walked out of that study, one thought burned clear in my mind:
If they were going to force me into marriage…
…then I would marry the one person they *never* expected.
And this time?
I wouldn't ask for permission.