Chapter 95: The Seventh Prince, Kade

"You will marry the Seventh Prince of Ritan," the Emperor somberly announced. 

His voice traveled across the great hall of the throne room. Red pillars rose to the high ceilings that nearly touched the sky. Gold adorned every decoration in the palace. Teran was certainly not lacking wealth.

"You will bid your mother goodbye right after this attendance," the Emperor continued. "You depart at sundown."

Lina's heart dropped. She raised her head and met the Emperor's gaze. It was what Lina wanted, but he had given it to her at a cost. Lina had a feeling she'd never see her family again. Tears filled her eyes at the thought, but she managed to keep her emotions under control.

It was a Princess' duty to give back to her people. Lina would be stopping the war. Soldiers could finally return home to their families. Mothers could, at long last, see their children again. Everyone who contributed to the battle would receive their accomplishments and awards.

Hundreds of thousands of happy endings would arrive at the cost of a Princess' happy ending.

"As you wish, Your Majesty," Lina said, lowering herself into a curtsy to accept this fate bestowed upon her.

Lina knew her father truly didn't have a choice. Judging from his fierce expression, he must've argued with the ministers day and night about this situation. Leaving the Emperor with no alternative, everyone must have agreed to end the war as soon as possible.

"You've done well," the Emperor complimented, but his voice lacked sincerity.

Lina knew her father was still furious at her. She had lost a significant portion of his favor, but one day, he'd thank her. When he saw the grateful citizens praising his generosity, he'd appreciate her sacrifice. 

"You're dismissed," the Emperor stated, his lips taut into a deep frown.

Lina said nothing else. She bowed again and left the throne room. Her heart was aching. Her footsteps were heavy. Her older sister was still on the frontlines. The only relative that Lina had left was her mother.

Thus, Lina made the trek to the Second Concubine's palace. As soon as she opened the door, Lina could tell that her Mother was already crying.

"Tell me it's not true!" The Second Concubine sobbed, her eyes filled with salty tears. She rushed to her daughter and held back another sound.

"It's true," Lina softly said, taking her mother's hands.

The Second Concubine tightly squeezed their entwined fingers. She let out another sob, brought her daughter close, and hugged her firmly. She wept loudly into her daughter's shoulders. It'd change nothing.

"Why did it have to be you?" The Second Concubine weakly said. "Why couldn't it have been his other daughters?!"

Lina's gaze softened. "Mother, did you forget?"

Lina embraced her mother. "Many of my half-sisters have already been married off to Princes from foreign countries for alliances, and the rest were given to high-ranking military officials."

The Second Concubine cried even more. She couldn't forget. Her oldest daughter, the only female Commander of Teran, was a true mastermind. 

With the Commander's sharp tongue and skillful words, she could out-maneuver the most intelligent men and have eye contact managed to escape marriage by showing prowess on the battlefield. 

For a long while now, Lina's older sister had dodged being made a wife because she had been married to the war. Many of the Empress' and First Concubine's daughters were dragged out of the palace, screaming and kicking, as brides for foreign Princes. Their fates were unknown. Only one or two sent back letters.

"I'm one of the last Princesses to leave," Lina admitted. "It was all within due time."

"But not like this!" The Second Concubine sniffled, her powdered makeup running down her face.

Lina pulled back, her gaze softened. "It will be alright, Mother. Truly."

The Second Concubine could only hope so. "I wish you the best with your fate in Ritan, love of my love."

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Atlan was nowhere to be seen.

Lina had already bid her goodbye to Miah. Initially, Miah wanted to travel to Ritan with the Princess, but Lina knew that would be selfish. 

Miah's friends and family were all in Teran. It wouldn't be fair to separate her from everyone she loved. Additionally, Lina needed Miah to care for the Second Concubine.

Only Miah's care would reassure Lina's heart. Soon, her older sister was going to return to the palace, and the Second Concubine would be safe again.

"Princess… We can't delay this journey any longer," one of the horsemen told her.

Lina reluctantly glanced back at the palace. Miah and her mother were waiting at the entrance. Her mother was sobbing into the Emperor's shoulders, and he hugged her well. 

Lina made eye-contact with her father. 

The Emperor offered her a heartbroken smile and she returned a gentle one.

In the end, Atlan didn't visit her. 

Lina expected as much. After breaking his heart, she knew he'd never come. She just hoped he wouldn't do something foolish.

"Let us depart then," Lina reluctantly said, boarding the carriage.

Lina heard that a wedding dress had already been prepared for her shortly after she had been sent home. 

The Emperor had ordered it to be sewn quickly, but with grace. Lina knew her father's heart was long set on this marriage before he could even argue his way out of it. He was a supreme leader, but what was power against so many men?

"Write to me, love of mine!" The Second Concubine called out.

Lina reached her head out the window and waved her hand goodbye. 

"I will!" Lina responded, but knew she shouldn't.

Only unhappy wives frequently wrote back to their families. If Lina continuously sent out letters, then everyone would worry. 

Soon, the carriage ride had pulled out of the palace. It entered the main street, where crowds of people had lined up on the road. They waved Teran's banners and called out the Princess' name.

"Fourth Princess!"

"We will miss you, Fourth Princess!"

"Thank you for your contribution!"

Many people bid Lina farewell. Lina was surprised at the twist of events. It seemed everyone else knew of this marriage acceptance before she did.

Her heart was a boulder in her chest. It weighed her entire body down. 

Lina held back tears, for their thanks felt like nothing in comparison to the loved ones they had lost.

Even so, Lina forced a smile. She pulled back the curtains of her carriage, let out a handt, and waved them all goodbye. Soon, a new life in Ritan would begin—a new life with the Seventh Prince, Kade.

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