Oh no, my own father would have thrown me into the arms of my future husband that I never met.
A husband.
A wave of sickness crashed over me. I knew only two things about Fu Shuo. I heard that he would become the head of the Fu (Black Clans) once his father retired or die as he got his nickname 'The Fu Lion' for crushing a man's throat with his bare hands.
But I didn't know how old he was.
My cousin, Su Man Lin had to marry a man thirty years her senior.
So Fu Shao couldn't be that old right, if his father hadn't retired yet.
At least, that's what I hoped.
Was he cruel, man?
He'd crushed a man's throat. He'll be the head of the Fu (Black Clans) in future.
"Father," I whispered.
"Please. I don't want to marry that man."
Father's expression tightened.
"You will marry, Fu Shao. Because I have shook hands on it with his father Fu Wang where the agreement of the peace between the Su and Fu sealed. You will be a good wife to Fu Shao, and when you meet him for the Engagement day, you'll act like an obedient eldest lady of the Su."
"What!? Engagement day?" I echoed.
My voice sounded distant, as if a veil of smoke covered my ears.
"Of course. It's a good way to establish bonds between our empire, and it'll give Fu Shao the chance to see his future lady and what he's getting out of the deal. We don't want to disappoint him anyway, Shen Mi."
"When?" I cleared my throat but the lump remained.
"When is the engagement party?" I asked.
"In this October but se haven't set a date yet."
That was in two months. I nodded numbly.
Although, I loved reading romance novels and whenever the couples in them married, I'd imagined how my wedding would be.
Before I'd always imagined it would be filled with excitement and love.
But now, an empty dreams of a young girl.
"But Father, am I allowed to keep attending university after the wedding?"
What did it even matter if I graduated?
I would never go to university, or maybe never work after I got married.
All I'd be allowed to do was to warm my husband's bed. My throat tightened further and tears shed in my eyes, but I willed them not to fall.
But my Father hated if us the lady when we lost control.
"Yes, you allowed, Shen Mi. So I've told Fu Wang that you attend The Royal Lady University, which seemed to please him, as well."
Of course, the Fu did.
Because that was the girl school and they couldn't risk that I got anywhere near boys.
"Is that all?" I said weakly.
"Yes, for now. You may leave."
As I walked out of the office as if in trance. I'd turned fifteen four months ago. My birthday had felt like a huge step toward my future, and I'd been excited.
Fool of me as my life was already over before it even began.