The morning of the selection arrived with the sweet smell of spring in the air at the estate.
Adrian stood in front of a bronze mirror while two attendants fixed his robes. Today he wore clothes with silver roses on them and the fabric was soft and comfortable. The top part of his clothes was modest. You could not help but notice it. The rose-shaped mark on his chest was hidden under silk but Adrian could feel it was there and it felt heavier than any decoration.
"Are they here?" he asked calmly.
"Yes Young Master " the attendant replied. "The ten best candidates have arrived at the hall."
Adrian's fingers stopped moving for a moment.
Ten.
He had spent three nights looking at files: family histories, things they had done rumors about their personalities and who they knew. He had picked these ten people out of hundreds. Not because of their status but because they were a good balance.
Military. Commerce. Scholarship. Medicine. Governance.
If Adrian was going to survive in this world he would not just choose husbands.
He would build protection for himself.
"Lets go " he said softly.
---
The main hall of the estate was huge with pillars carved with roses. Sunlight came through the windows shining on ten men standing in two neat rows.
Each one was special in his way.
When Adrian walked in the hall became quiet.
Every eye was on him.
He walked forward slowly his back straight his face calm. The soft sound of his silk clothes was like a whisper.
For a moment no one said a word.
They had heard the rumors about Xu Ran.
None of them were ready for how he really was.
Adrian was amazing.
He was not just handsome. He was refined, distant and almost unreal. His presence made the air feel soft. It also made the tension stronger. He looked at them not with shyness. With a careful assessment.
Like a ruler looking at his court.
He sat down on the raised platform.
"You can introduce yourselves " he said.
His voice was gentle. It carried easily.
The first to step forward was a man wearing black military clothes.
His shoulders were broad his back straight and his face was serious. A small scar above his eyebrow made him look more handsome.
"I am Gu Han " he said, his voice. Steady. "I am the General of the Northern Army."
Adrian knew the name away.
Gu Han was the general in the kingdom's history. He was ruthless in battle and only loyal to the throne.
Gu Han's sharp eyes met Adrian's without looking
There was no admiration in them confidence.
Adrian felt a little interested.
"Why are you here General?" he asked calmly.
"To marry you " Gu Han replied.
Some of the candidates stiffened at his directness.
Adrian raised an eyebrow slightly. "You do not like sharing I assume."
"I do not share what belongs to me."
That was a statement.
Adrian's lips curved slightly. "Noted."
Gu Han stepped back.
The second man moved forward with a feel. Gentle and scholarly.
He wore blue robes, his long black hair tied back. His eyes were warm and smart.
"I am Lin Qiyue " he said with a bow. "I am the Chief Scholar of the Imperial Academy."
Adrian remembered him: he was famous for being strategic and calm under pressure.
"I want to be your husband " Lin Qiyue said, "and help you with court politics. A Rose-Bearers influence is significant."
He was honest and practical.
Adrian nodded his head. "I like clarity."
The third man stepped forward with a smile.
He wore brown robes and his eyes were playful.
"Zhao Ming, heir to the merchant guild in Haoming."
Ah, the wealth.
Zhao Ming winked slightly. "If you choose me you will never have to worry about money or comfort."
Some of the men in the hall coughed quietly.
Adrian did not react,. He took note of the confidence.
Next came a doctor in green robes.
"Shen Rui, Imperial Physician."
His eyes looked at Adrian chest for a moment not in a way but like a doctor.
"I specialize in taking care of Rose-Bearers and Brothers " he said gently. "I would make sure you are safe during pregnancies."
The word hung in the air.
Adrian's fingers tightened slightly on the armrest.
He moved on smoothly. "Very well."
One by one they introduced themselves:
- An assassin from the Shadow Pavilion, Mo Yan, who was almost invisible but missed nothing.
- A soft-spoken musician, Liang Feng famous across the capital.
- A fair judge from the Ministry of Law Wei Jian.
- A happy but deadly martial arts master, Tang Huo.
- A serious royal guard captain, Su Cheng.
-. Finally a silver-haired noble from an old clan, Bai Xuan, who was as beautiful as Adrian.
When they finished introducing themselves the air felt tense.
Ten powerful men.
Ten forces.
All looking at Adrian.
Adrian stood up.
"You all know the law " he started. "I have to choose three husbands."
The men felt a tense.
"But understand this " he continued, his voice calm but firm. "I will not allow fighting within my household."
His eyes looked at them slowly.
"If you compete do it with respect. If you scheme do it smartly.. If any of you try to hurt another person in my household..."
His face cooled slightly.
"I will remove you myself."
There was silence.
Not one man doubted he meant it.
Gu Han's eyes shone slightly with approval.
Lin Qiyue smiled softly interested.
Mo Yan's lips curved invisibly.
Adrian stepped down from the platform.
"Today is an introduction " he said. "Over the month I will watch you."
Zhao Ming chuckled lightly. "Watch us how Young Master?"
Adrian stopped in front of him.
"By giving each of you a chance."
He turned to the attendants.
"Prepare the courtyard."
---
An hour later the ten candidates stood in a training field.
There were weapons on one side papers and writing tables on another medical supplies and musical instruments.
Some of the men looked confused.
Adrian stood in the middle.
"You all have strengths " he said. "Today you will show me what you can do."
Gu Han stepped forward first picking up a spear. His movements were sharp and powerful. Even the air seemed to split when he moved.
Tang Huo followed with martial arts moves smiling as he moved like fire.
Mo Yan showed how stealthy he was and some of the attendants gasped when he appeared silently behind Adrian.
Adrian did not flinch.
"Good job " he said calmly.
Lin Qiyue gave a solution to a fake problem Adrian gave him. Wei Jian talked about law changes in a way. Zhao Ming outlined a plan to increase trade and make money.
Liang Feng's music filled the courtyard with sounds.
Shen Rui talked about how to keep Rose-Bearers safe during childbirth.
Adrian watched them all.
He evaluated them.
He measured them.
He never looked overwhelmed.
As the sun started to set he finally spoke.
"You are all very good."
The men held their breath.
". Understand something."
He stepped forward the last sunlight catching his hair.
"I am not choosing men to serve me blindly."
His eyes were steady.
"I am choosing partners."
That word meant something
Gu Han's stiff posture relaxed slightly.
Lin Qiyue's eyes looked deeper.
Bai Xuan tilted his head showing he was interested.
Adrian continued, "If you come into my household you do knowing I will not be weak."
A soft breeze lifted his sleeves.
"I will not be owned."
The statement hung between them.
Gu Han's lips curved slightly.
"I would not want you to be weak " the general said quietly.
There was a spark between them.
For the time since waking up in this world Adrian felt something new beneath his calm exterior.
Not fear.
Not duty.
Excitement.
He turned toward the estate.
"Tomorrow " he said, "we'll start the interviews."
The ten men watched him walk away.
Zhao Ming broke the silence first. "Well this just got interesting."
Lin Qiyue chuckled softly. "Yes it did."
Gu Han's eyes stayed on Xu Ran until he disappeared.
"One month " he said quietly.
He had come to win.
Now he realized something.
Adrian was not a prize to win.
He was a storm to stand beside.
For the first time, in years -
Gu Han felt challenged.
Above the estate the carved roses caught the sunlight, glowing red.
The selection had started.