"Marry me," she pleaded, her voice laced with a sense of desperation . Kneeling before him, she perked her head up and watched where he sat, on the edge of the mattress . Beside him was one of his wasted concubines that he had likely devoured over the previous hours .

Watching them from behind her cloth-covered face, there was no change in her expression . She wanted it to bother her—him and the concubine—but for some inexplicable reason, it didn't . They had grown up together, surely no one could easily take her position in his heart .

AdvertisementHe seemed to be deep in thought as he ran his hand over his bald head . Her heart, on the other hand, was beating so fast, as time was not on her side . Soon, they would arrive and take her away, away from this palace, away from her freedom .

"Princess—" He started with one of his coy smiles . Her heart fluttered in anticipation . "You know that I'm the crown prince . Marrying you would be too scandalous . "

"But . . . you promised . " She tugged the sleeves of his nightwear silks, her eyes flooded with multiple emotions .

"I know, but you have only lived for fourteen summers, still too young . If only you were sixteen summers old, then it would be easier . "

She tried to persuade him . "Brother Hu-go, father dotes on you the most . Surely he will grant you anything you ask for . "

"If I jeopardize the plan meant to bring relief to the suffering of my people then what kind of crown prince would I be?" His voice was soft and contrite .

His words were sound but she wasn't ready to give up . She swiftly pulled down the sheer cloth on her face that had covered all but her eyes, revealing a striking face . At this, he breathed in deeply, taking in the sight of her and a smirk began to grace his face . He ran his fingers down her face, his skin rough from his swordsmanship .

"Your beauty can shake the foundation of great nations and bring great destruction . " He spoke in a trance . Then he sighed before continuing . "Give me time . When it is right, I will ask for your hand from father and send for you . "

He made another promise, and she trusted him . She trusted him because, at that time, she was still young, naïve and desperate .

Time passed, and he never came for her . Although she knew she had been lied to, she still waited . She waited for what was possibly her only escape .

S . V