Chapter 2

Looking back, it was two months ago.

My unusually busy father appeared at the dinner table and, after the meal, told me to come to his room.

At 17, I could guess that he might be sending me to someone's house as a bride.

As the daughter of the Yan family, one of the five great families and the most powerful, I had known since childhood that I couldn't choose my own husband.

So, with a feeling akin to resignation, I headed to my father's room.

When I opened the lacquered door, my brother was standing in front of my father, who was seated in a chair. He also seemed to be wondering why he had been called.

When he saw my face, he gave a slight smile.

I smiled lightly back at him. Then, my father calmly stated his business.

"Rin has been chosen to participate in the selection ceremony for the Empress."

"......What?"

Empress candidate.

Selection ceremony.

I had never been so unable to process words.

My brother also seemed frozen, unable to react with anything other than "What?"

His Majesty the Emperor is only five years old.

The previous emperor passed away at the young age of 30 two years ago, and the Empress returned to her homeland last year.

Currently, I've heard that the actual governance is being handled by His Excellency Cang Lian, the younger brother of the previous emperor.

Cang Lian is the regent, the highest-ranking official, and the only member of the imperial family besides His Majesty the Emperor.

My brother works as a high-ranking official in Cang Lian's palace.

Although he should be more familiar with the situation regarding the selection of the Empress, this was the first time he had heard that his sister was a candidate.

My brother, with a strained face, asked, as if to say, "Are you joking?"

"Father."

"What is it?"

"Rin is 17, isn't she?"

"I know."

My brother's question was valid.

However, my father was telling me to aim for the position of Empress despite knowing everything.

"Are you asking my sister to be a decorative consort...?"

My brother's voice was slightly trembling.

This was the first time I had seen my usually carefree brother, who was nothing like our strict father, so flustered.

"Rin may look like a virtuous girl, but she is quite, or rather, very outspoken, and I don't think she is suitable to be an Empress."

In response to my brother's attempt to dissuade him, my father answered without changing his expression.

"For the sake of the Yan family. Besides, it's not decided yet that she will become Empress. She has been chosen to participate in the selection ceremony."

At this moment, my father informed me that I would have to perform dance and erhu at the selection ceremony, and that the participants would include His Majesty the Emperor, who is five years old, Cang Lian, and the country's dignitaries.

Beside me, frowning, my brother tried to protest.

"Father, what has gotten into you!? Even if it's for the Empress, to marry Rin to a five-year-old...! What if His Majesty dies young from the stress!?"

That's a bit harsh.

I wouldn't bully a five-year-old emperor!

I glared at my brother.

"Have you forgotten that I was arranged to meet someone last year? The person was quite interested, but you asked, 'When will this talk end?' because it was taking too long..."

I countered my brother, who was bringing up past events.

"I don't like men who try to boost their own image by speaking ill of others! That person wanted to flatter me with 'You're amazing' and 'You're wonderful,' but I couldn't help but complain after listening to his fabricated boasts and ridicule of others for so long."

"That, that's..."

"Besides, he spoke ill of you too! He said, 'It's laughable for the heir of the Yan family to talk to court ladies too much'..."

It's a sign of lacking common sense to belittle the person you're arranged to meet.

I would refuse to spend my life with such a person.

"Rin, are you defending me?"

My brother frowned and asked.

"No, I just told the truth."

"Defend me! Protest!"

Ignoring my brother's plea, I turned to my father.

"Is it an order to participate in the selection ceremony as an Empress candidate?"

My father answered calmly.

"It's not decided yet. But, you have a choice."

He gave me a sharp look.

The pressure was overwhelming, but I was used to it and wasn't afraid. However, I was tense because I knew the choices my father had prepared would not be pleasant.

"You have three choices. The first is to be chosen as Empress at the selection ceremony. The second is to be chosen by Cang Lian, who will be present at the ceremony."

What, Cang Lian?

I couldn't help but flinch.

Cang Lian, the younger brother of the previous emperor, is 24 years old.

I've never met him, but I've heard that he is a very handsome man, and the court ladies are quite enthusiastic about him.

And he is a notorious womanizer.

It's rumored that he keeps several beautiful women, regardless of their status, in his palace.

My brother, who is also a womanizer and flirts with any woman he sees, has made me worry about the political implications of having a boss and subordinate who are both womanizers.

If Cang Lian is the type to pursue women, there's a possibility he might take me into his palace, but my father has been actively trying to sell me before.

However, Cang Lian never agreed to an arranged meeting with me.

It's not because he hasn't met me; it's probably because he doesn't intend to pursue the daughter of a family as strict as the five great families.

If that's the case, there's no chance as long as I'm a daughter of the Yan family.

Besides, I don't want to marry a womanizer with many mistresses.

I would at least want someone with a good reputation.

The choices my father presented were both unrealistic.

Realizing my feelings, my father finally revealed the third choice.

"The third choice is to marry Li Rui from the Li family. He is 21 years old, a military officer, and is known to be a reliable man."

"Li family!!"

My brother and I spoke in unison.

It's no exaggeration to say that the Li family is our long-time rival. Although we maintain a facade of friendship, the animosity between our families is significant.

If I were to marry Li Rui, the eldest son of the Li family, I would be forced to become an infiltrator to gather information for my family.

They would treat me as a hostage, and I would have to live in constant tension.

My brother, with a paler face than mine, said,

"Li Rui is a good man, but not the Li family..."

I agree. I feel the same way.

But, I can't go against my father. He has never changed his mind before.

"What will you do, Rin?"

My father, knowing I can't defy him, pressed for an answer.

I feel frustrated, sad, and hate my own weakness.

Of course, I won't starve no matter which choice I make.

I will continue to live a comfortable life as I have.

But, I can't help feeling down.

A five-year-old emperor, a womanizer, or jumping into enemy territory.

What kind of choices are these!?

Isn't this too cruel!?

No matter how much I complain in my heart, the head of the family's word is absolute.

I have no choice...

"I will participate in the selection ceremony..."

I answered weakly, hanging my head.