For a brief moment—
Shayue did not respond.
Then—
She spoke.
"That will not happen."
No hesitation
No doubt.
Just certainty.
Xinyi held her gaze for a long second—
Then suddenly signed.
"…You are impossible."
A faint smile returned.
"But listen to me carefully."
She stopped closer, pointing lightly toward Shayue.
"If you ever find yourself even slightly wavering…"
A small grin formed.
"…even a little—."
"I will remind you of this moment for the rest of your life."
Shayue glanced at her.
"…That will not be necessary."
Xinyi only smiled wider.
"…We will see."
Silence returned—
But this time. It was lighter.
"Still…"
"How can he reject a beautiful princess like you?"
A dramatic pause.
"Does he not have eyes?"
Shayue looked at her.
For a second—
Her gaze softened just slightly.
Then—
"…If he does not," she replied calmly. "then that is his problem, not mine."
Xinyi laughed softly.
"See? That's exactly what I mean."
She pointed at Shayue as if proving a point.
"You speak as if rejection does not even exist for you."
Shayue's expression remained composed.
"It does."
A pause
"I simply do not concern myself with it."
Xinyi tilted her head, watching her closely now.
"…Then let me ask you properly."
She stepped closer again, voice lowering just slightly.
"What if he is not as the rumors say?"
A pause
"What if he is not entirely cold?"
"What if…"
She narrowed her eyes playfully.
"…He turns out to be a good husband?"
This time—
Shayue did not answer immediately.
Her silence lingered—
Just a moment too long.
And again—
Her eyes betrayed her.
A faint flicker.
Not doubt.
Not hope.
But… consideration.
Xinyi caught it instantly.
"…You're thinking about it."
Shayue's fingers tightened slightly against her sleeve.
Shayue… wake up.
What are you even considering?
Her gaze sharpened faintly, as if scolding herself.
Then she spoke—
Calm again, controlled as ever.
"I will only respect him…"
A pause
"…if her respects me."
The words were simple.
But firm.
Xinyi smiled knowingly.
"…So that is your condition."
A small pause
"Respect first."
"Everything else later."
Shayue did not deny it.
Xinyi leaned in again, voice softer now—teasing, but curious too.
"Then tell me…"
A pause
"Do you think he would ever be willing to be that kind of husband?"
Silence followed after Xinyi's question.
The air felt lighter—
Yet something deeper had settled beneath it.
Wang Xinyi watched Yu Shayue carefully.
Shayue looked at her steadily.
"…So you feel nothing about this?"
Pause.
"Marriage. A husband. A life in another empire…"
Her voice softened slightly.
"…none of it matters to you?"
Shayue did not answer immediately.
Instead—
She walked slowly toward the table, her fingers brushing lightly against the edge of the red silk laid neatly upon it.
Her voice came calm.
"It matters."
Xinyi stilled watching her.
Shayue's gaze lowered slightly.
"I will enter the Lin Empire as their Crown Princess."
A pause
"I will uphold their customs."
"I will respect their court."
"I will not bring disgrace to the position I am given."
Her tone remained steady.
Measured.
Controlled.
"I will fulfill my duties as his wife."
"I will not treat the Lin Empire as an enemy once I enter it."
Silence followed.
Xinyi blinked once.
"…Then what is the difference."
A pause
Shayue's fingers stilled against the silk.
Then—
She lifted her gaze.
Clear
Sharp
"The difference…"
A faint breath
"…is that I do not belong to anyone."
Silence deepened.
Xinyi's expression shifted.
Shayue continued, her voice quieter now—
Yet far more dangerous.
"I will stand beside him if required."
A pause
"But I will not stand beneath him."
The words settled heavily in the room.
"I will fulfill the role…"
Her eyes darkened faintly.
"…but I will not lose myself within it."
Xinyi stared at her.
"…So even if you become his wife…"
A pause
"…you won't give yourself to him?"
Silence.
Shayue did not look away.
"What is given…"
A faint pause
"…must first be deserved."
The meaning was clear.
Not rejection
Not defiance.
But control.
A faint smile appeared on Xinyi's lips.
"…I almost feel sorry for him."
The words lingered for a brief moment.
Then—
She paused
Her expression shifted slightly.
"…No."
A soft exhaled followed.
"…That's not right."
She straightened a little, her tone changing—
More grounded now.
"I don't really feel sorry for him."
A pause
"I don't even know what kind of person he truly is."
Her gaze lowered slightly, thoughtful.
"All I know…"
"…is that he is the Crown Prince of the Lin Empire."
Another pause.
"And that same empire once sent troops against ours."
The air stilled for a moment.
Her voice softened—
But did not lose its edge.
"So whether he is cold, ruthless… or something else entirely—."
She lifted her gaze back to Shayue.
"…he is still not someone to take lightly."
A faint silence followed.
Then—
A small smile returned.
"…If anything…"
She tilted her head slightly.
"…I should probably be worried for you instead."
A pause
"But then again…"
Her eyes narrowed just slightly, studying Shayue.
"…he might be the one who ends up in trouble."
Silence
Shayue did not respond
But the faint stillness in her gaze—
Was enough.
After a moment—
She spoke quietly.
"…Don't."
Xinyi blinked.
"He made his move."
Shayue's gaze shifted slightly—
Distant, thoughtful.
"…so will I."
Silence returned.
This time—
Not uncertain.
But inevitable.
To be continued....