"Influence," she repeated, her voice low and dangerous. "Is that all you see in this kingdom? Influence and power?"
Pan Yong faltered, his bravado momentarily shaken. He stammered, "Well, I… of course, there's more… your beauty, your grace…" His voice trailed off, devoid of conviction.
Li Luoyang took a single step forward, her presence towering over the flustered man. "My people are not pawns in a game of political chess," she declared, her voice ringing with a newfound authority. "They deserve a leader who cares about their well-being, not just their own power."
With a final, withering look, she turned on her heel and began to walk away. The crowd, emboldened by their princess's display of strength, erupted in cheers.
Pan Yong, red-faced and humiliated, slunk away, his dreams of marrying into royalty thoroughly demolished.
