Location : Northern Kingdom
The city gleamed in stark contrast to the endless white of the northern expanse. Snow dusted every rooftop, blending seamlessly with the alabaster walls that seemed carved from the very ice itself. Ruiyan's gaze lingered on the palace in the distance, its spires piercing the heavens, glinting faintly in the pale sunlight like ethereal spears.
As he stepped from the carriage, the crisp air bit at his skin, the cold wrapping around him like an unrelenting embrace. He paused, letting the frost-laden breeze carry the faint hum of the bustling city to his ears. The stillness was deceptive—every breath, every crunch of snow underfoot carried the weight of untold stories, of lives intertwined with this frozen land.
Straightening his heavy cloak, Ruiyan exhaled, his breath condensing in the frigid air. His steps were measured but purposeful, the crunch of boots against ice mirroring the resoluteness in his heart. There was no time to waste. His wait had been long enough, his resolve unshaken.
The imperial guards dispersed through the city, their red-and-gold uniforms stark against the pristine snow. Though Ruiyan had prepared for an arduous search, the discovery came swift, almost anticlimactic. Her identity struck him like a thunderclap. The mysterious woman he had pursued was none other than the princess of this snowy realm.
The revelation set his pulse racing. Anticipation coiled tightly within him as he approached the palace gates, his eyes fixed on the towering entrance ahead. He was so close- so close to her
----
The palace stood like a testament to time itself, its facade carved with ancient motifs of wolves and stars. Towering pillars supported intricate arches that seemed to scrape the heavens, the artistry whispering tales of a proud and unyielding kingdom. Ruiyan stopped before the gates, tilting his head upward to take in the grandeur.
The guards stiffened as he approached, their polished halberds catching glints of sunlight. They exchanged cautious glances, visibly unsettled by the man before them. His presence commanded attention—every step, every slight tilt of his head exuded a quiet power that left no room for doubt.
"I seek an audience with your king," Ruiyan said, his voice smooth yet carrying an undertone of unyielding authority.
The head guard hesitated, his grip tightening on his weapon. "May I inquire as to the nature of your visit, Your Majesty?"
Ruiyan's gaze didn't waver. "Inform your king that I am here to ask for his daughter's hand in marriage."
The words lingered like frost in the air, their boldness silencing the bustling courtyard. The guard's expression faltered, his eyes widening slightly. This was no mere diplomatic courtesy; it was a declaration, plain and unyielding. Without another word, the guards hastened toward the throne room, their movements sharp with urgency.
----
Inside the Northern King's court, the air was warmer, but the tension was palpable. The king sat on a throne of carved ebony, flanked by advisors draped in heavy furs. His expression was composed, though his brow furrowed ever so slightly at the news.
"So," he said, his tone even, "the Emperor of the Phoenix Empire seeks my daughter." His fingers tapped against the armrest as he spoke, the sound echoing faintly in the vast hall.
One of his advisors leaned forward. "This could strengthen our position, Your Majesty. An alliance with the Phoenix Empire would fortify our borders and expand trade routes."
The king raised a hand, silencing him. His gaze drifted toward the stained-glass windows, where images of the northern goddess Celeste shimmered in hues of blue and silver. After a moment, he nodded. "Invite him in. Let us not forget, a man like him is better as an ally than an adversary."
----
Ruiyan was escorted to the Snow Palace, the air within heavy with the scent of pinewood and faint incense. The walls bore vivid murals of icy landscapes and the creatures that roamed them—majestic white bears, sharp-eyed wolves, and flocks of ravens.
Statues of Celeste stood in every corner, their graceful features capturing a goddess unbowed by winter's harshness. Ruiyan's fingers brushed against the cold banister of the grand staircase as he ascended, his mind flickering with fleeting doubts.
Will she find the Phoenix Empire too harsh, too foreign? Can she truly adapt to the fire of my homeland after dwelling in a land of snow and divinity?
The sound of footsteps pulled him from his thoughts. He turned to see the Northern King approaching, his presence commanding yet tinged with warmth.
The king inclined his head, his voice calm but formal. "It is an honor to host the Emperor of the Phoenix Empire in our humble kingdom."
Ruiyan mirrored the gesture, his tone laced with courtesy yet firm. "The honor is mine, Your Highness. Your hospitality is most gracious."
The king smiled faintly. "The North has much to offer. Take your time to explore its wonders. Rest; you've had a long journey."
Ruiyan's gaze sharpened, and he stepped forward, his voice resolute. "I will rest once I've seen to the matter of the wedding."
The king's smile faltered ever so slightly, a shadow of irritation crossing his features. He raised a hand to stop Ruiyan's words. "You will rest first, Emperor."
The finality in his tone was unmistakable, a subtle reminder that, despite his guest's status, this was still his land. Ruiyan hesitated, then inclined his head. For now, he would wait—but not for long.
----
Later that evening, Ruiyan sat in a quiet, ornate chamber across from the Northern King. The room's golden candlelight flickered against intricate tapestries, casting long shadows that danced across the polished floors. A maid moved gracefully between them, her delicate hands steady as she poured white tea into porcelain cups.
The silence stretched, heavy and deliberate, as the king finally took a measured sip.
"You are not the first suitor to come seeking the princess's hand," he said, his voice smooth but carrying an undertone of challenge. "And you certainly won't be the last."
Ruiyan's grip tightened on the teacup, though his face betrayed nothing.
"But I am the most powerful among them," he replied, his tone calm, each word carrying the weight of his empire's might.
The king's lips curved faintly, a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Perhaps," he said, setting the cup down with a soft clink. "But power is as fleeting as the snow. Today's emperor may be tomorrow's exile. What I seek is not power—it is loyalty."
Ruiyan's jaw tightened, his fingers briefly pressing against the cool porcelain of the cup before he placed it on the table.
"I will be loyal," he said, leaning forward, his eyes fixed on the king's. "I vow to make her my empress, to protect her and your kingdom with my life."
The king tilted his head slightly, his expression inscrutable.
"Words are the easiest currency, Your Majesty," he said quietly. "Trust, however, is earned. Through actions."
The air in the room seemed to grow colder as Ruiyan sat back, his shoulders taut with tension.
"What do you require of me?" he asked, his voice edged with the impatience of a man unaccustomed to compromise.
The king leaned forward, the candlelight catching the sharp lines of his face.
"Two conditions," he began, his tone steady and unyielding. "First, you will practice celibacy for seven years. Prove your patience and devotion by denying yourself worldly desires. Second, you must remain faithful to her—body and soul—once you are wed. Betray her, and you forfeit all claims to her as your wife."
The silence that followed was heavy, almost suffocating. Ruiyan's expression flickered, just for a moment, betraying the storm of disbelief and frustration brewing within him.
"Seven years..." he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. His gaze darkened, and he straightened in his seat, his tone hardening. "What guarantee do I have that you won't marry her to someone else in that time?"
The king met his eyes steadily, unshaken by the challenge.
"She is only seventeen now," he said simply. "I will wait. You have my word."
The room fell silent once more, the only sound the faint crackle of the fire. Ruiyan's hand rested on the table, his fingers drumming an uneven rhythm as he weighed the conditions. Seven years. Seven years of waiting, of wanting, of restraint. For a man accustomed to command and conquest, it was a torment he could scarcely fathom. How can he wait seven years when he can't even live seven hours without thinking of her?
Finally, he drew a deep breath, his voice steady as he broke the silence.
"Bring the agreement scroll," he said, the words laced with quiet resolve.
The king nodded, his expression one of approval, though a flicker of something—admiration, perhaps—passed through his eyes. The servant returned with the scroll and ink, setting them before Ruiyan with a bow.
Ruiyan dipped the quill into the ink, the faint scratch of pen on parchment the only sound in the room as he signed his name. His grip on the quill was firm, the strokes decisive, as though he could will away his doubts with each sweep of ink.
As he set the quill down, the weight of his choice settled over him. Seven years. A lifetime for some, a mere breath for others. But for Ruiyan, it was the price he would pay for the woman who had captured his heart—and his destiny.