The throne room is dimly lit when Yueying enters. As she steps through the enormous entranceway, she spots the intricately decorated throne as well as the emperor sitting on it. Her veins feel as if they've gone cold as the atmosphere becomes so heavy she nearly freezes in her steps. The doors close with a heavy thud behind her, shutting out all remnants of the sunny winter afternoon that lay on the other side.
Ministers and officials are lined up on either side of the carpeted aisle leading up to the throne, their heads bowed in the presence of the emperor. Candles flicker almost ominously as Yueying passes by, her thoughts racing with each step as the emperor looms high above his audience.
It was only a mere few minutes ago that she and Kouha had been in the gardens, with the third prince braiding her hair, tying it up into an intricate bun and placing a small white peony right above her ear. Now she sees him by the emperor's side alongside his two older brothers looking rather serious.
Yueying's gaze flicks to Koumei next. His fan hides the lower half of his face. They make brief eye contact before he breaks away from it, moving from the emperor's side to descend the stairs, waiting for her to stop by his side. She feels her heart hammering in her chest and her mouth dry as she places her fist in her palm and lowers her body down into a bow, letting her knee touch the ground and her skirts pool around her.
What has she done to be summoned so suddenly?
Her breathing becomes heavier and she pushes down the lump in her throat as her mind mulls over the possibilities. This is the first time in all her four years of residing in the palace that she has encountered the emperor himself.
"You may rise." The emperor's booming voice shakes Yueying to the core and she rises slowly, looking up to the most powerful man in the Kou Empire seated atop his throne. His face is concealed in shadow, but she can make out piercing amber eyes, similar to those of the crown prince standing next to him.
"Wang Yueying…" the way her name sounds from his mouth makes a chill run down her spine. "I hear from the empress that you're quite the king's candidate."
"T-thank you, Your Highness." Yueying forces the words from her dry mouth. She remembers meeting the empress once before. The woman was kind, praising her for her swordsmanship, her ability to master her djinn, Osé, and her intelligence. But there was something about the empress that she could never place her finger on that was unsettling.
"You have pledged your loyalty to the Kou Empire, am I correct?" The emperor asks.
"Yes, Your Highness. I have."
A grin flashes across the emperor's silhouetted face, then there is a brief silence that seems to last forever as the emperor shifts in his seat, leaning forward as if to get a better look at Yueying. The hairs on the back of her neck raise and she clutches at her sleeves. The emperor opens his mouth and what he says next makes Yueying freeze over.
"You must understand that our goal to gain world order and peace lies with the help of king's candidates…your pledge of loyalty to the Empire is much appreciated, but we must ensure that your pledge rings true in all cases." The emperor says, his voice echoing through the throne room.
"Koumei, take her as your bride. This union will not only secure Wang Yueying's power as a king's candidate within the Empire, but it will also ensure the success and longevity of Kou!"
Yueying feels like fainting from shock. The world seems to slow down around her as she processes the emperor's words. Soon, the only sounds she hears are the beating of her heart and the blood coursing through her veins.
"Yes, Your Highness. As you wish." She hears Koumei say beside her and watches as he bends down in a bow. Without hesitation, Yueying does the same. Her mouth is dry as she speaks her next words.
"I am deeply honoured, Your Highness. I will use my power to aid the Empire in its goal for world peace."
Yo! It's been a while! (a year and seven months to be exact ehehe...) To be honest, I was always thinking up of more chapters for this story and have unwritten drafts for the next two chapters, however, I was never satisfied with them so they've gone untouched for a long time ;; I hope I will find more motivation to continue with this story in the future, but for now, enjoy this short update! It's time for YueKou to move on to married life soon haha!