I didn't sleep.
Not because I was heartbroken.
But because my father had casually informed me that my life was about to be auctioned to the highest *politically safe* bidder.
By morning, I had reached a conclusion.
If marriage was unavoidable, then I would choose the terms.
And the groom.
I sent word to Jin Wei, asking him to meet me in the outer garden — neutral ground, public enough to avoid scandal, private enough for dangerous conversations.
He arrived on time. Of course he did. Annoyingly reliable.
"You asked to see me," he said, eyes sharp. "Is something wrong?"
"Oh, absolutely," I replied. "I'm being married off."
That got his attention.
"To whom?" he asked, voice flat.
"Some noble family's son. Wealthy. Respectable. And so politically harmless he might as well be furniture."
Jin Wei frowned. "Then why tell me?"
I took a breath.
Because this was it.
"You know the rumors about us," I said. "People already think we're something. So let's just prove them right."
Silence.
He stared at me.
"And one more thing," I continued calmly, "you wanted to use me from the start, didn't you?"
His jaw tightened.
"I know," I said before he could speak. "You wouldn't have helped me otherwise. So let's help each other — without lying."
He exhaled slowly. "You're proposing a marriage of convenience."
"Exactly," I said. "You get my family's influence. Protection from the palace. A shield against people who want to corner you."
"And you?" he asked.
"I get freedom," I said simply. "We live separately. No romantic obligations. No pretending in private. But in public, we'll be perfect."
He studied me for a long moment.
Then, quietly, he asked, "Are you doing this because the Crown Prince didn't marry you?"
I scoffed. Hard.
"Oh hell no. For the last time — I don't like him at all. Maybe before I hit my head, but not now."
I stepped closer, lowering my voice.
"If I have to choose, I choose you. So bear that in your mind."
Jin Wei's eyes darkened — not with anger, but something far more dangerous.
"You're asking me to bind you to someone the palace already dislikes," he said. "You know they'll target you."
I shrugged. "They already are."
Silence stretched between us.
Finally, he spoke.
"…I'll agree."
My breath hitched despite myself.
"But on one condition," he added.
Of course there was a condition.
"This marriage will be real in the eyes of the world," he said. "Once we step into this, there's no turning back."
I smiled — slow, sharp, certain.
"Good," I said. "I hate half-hearted plans."
We stood there, two people making a decision that would shake the palace.
A deal, not a confession.
A partnership, not a promise.
And somewhere deep down, I knew—
This was the moment everything changed.