Yuelan’s three maids each gave the third prince a sympathetic look. Willow climbed into the carriage with her mistress and Camphor and Laurel headed into the manor. Inside the carriage, Yulean was sitting by the window looking through the curtains at Guangfeng, her face still flushed. When the carriage started moving she lowered her eyes to stare at her hands, her eyes filled with thought.

The trip to the palace only took a few minutes and when they reached it Yuelan allowed Guangfeng to help her down from the carriage, though she quickly withdrew her hand from his as soon as her feet were on the ground. She didn’t look at him and her cheeks were still burning as she walked with him and the generals into the palace and toward the throne room. Yuelan had never been interested in anyone before and she only had vague memories of her parents’ relationship. She couldn’t be sure if Guangfeng was the person she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.

Morning court had been over for some time, but the emperor had been informed that the generals and his third son were coming, so he was seated on the gold-plated throne with dragons engraved into it when the group arrived. The generals, Guangfeng, and Yuelan all sank to their knees to salute the emperor and repeated, “Long live the emperor.”

At a gesture from the emperor, Eunuch Tang stepped forward and held a hand out to help Yuelan to her feet while telling the group, “You may rise.”

Everyone stood and Guangfeng stepped forward to give his verbal report while Eunuch Tang took a scroll from each of the generals and the prince and carried them back to the emperor’s side. Yuelan listened as Guangfeng described what took place during the war and then finished with the agreements that had been reached between the two countries.

When Guangfeng’s report was finished the emperor nodded. “Our son has done well and should be rewarded for his meritorious service,” he declared before moving on to announce a list of gifts to be delivered to Heping Palace as Guangfeng’s reward.

Guangfeng bowed, his fists together. “This son thanks Father Emperor for the grace and hopes that he can make one further request?”

Emperor Xiong Lijun glanced toward Yuelan, who really had no purpose in being present, and then back at his son a moment after Yuelan felt her cheeks start to heat again. “You may ask,” he agreed.

“This son finds Lady Long Yuelan beautiful, intelligent, and virtuous and wishes to request her hand in marriage before Father Emperor,” Guangfeng informed the emperor, bowing again with his hands together, though not as deeply as when accepting the gifts.

“And what does Lady Long Yuelan think?” the emperor asked, turning his eyes to her.

Yuelan knew her face was probably the same color as a cherry. She bit her bottom lip and took several deep breaths as she tried to steady herself and regain her composure. She failed rather miserably, as her cheeks got hotter the more she thought about it. “I...Yuelan wishes to accept His Highness the third prince’s proposal,” she answered in a quiet voice. “Of the princes, Yuelan believes that His Highness the third prince is most fit to become Emperor. He cares about the people and listens to the wisdom of others. His Highness also treats Yuelan very well.”

The emperor nodded. “Then We will agree to this engagement and have the imperial advisors search for an auspicious day…”

“Your Majesty,” Yuelan interrupted, looking a bit nervous. Everyone turned to stare at her, the generals all with shocked expressions.

“Our future daughter-in-law has some objection?” the emperor asked, frowning.

Yuelan shook her head. “No, only a request. Yuelan wishes to be of age in her own country when the wedding takes place. Yuelan’s birthday is ten days before the lunar new year. This year Yuelan turns seventeen on that day, so Yuelan hopes that the wedding can be postponed for one year to allow for the laws of both countries to be met.” She was also hoping that maybe by then she would have figured out how to bring someone with her between worlds so that her father could be present.

The emperor sat back in his throne and studied Yuelan’s determined face for a moment before he nodded. “We can grant this request,” he agreed. “Perhaps by then your parents will also be able to arrange time to attend your wedding.”

“It would only be my father attending,” the girl explained, her smile a little sad. “Mother died when I was a young child and Father never remarried. But Yuelan thanks Your Majesty for the grace.” She gave a shallow salute. “Your majesty, Yuelan has one more request.”

The emperor studied her for a moment, then nodded. “Speak.”

“My father has always said that he wishes for me to marry for love. At the moment, I am not certain of my feelings for the third prince. I would like the ability to break off the engagement if I decide that this is not what I want without his highness suffering any repercussions.”

This request startled the emperor, though it didn’t show on his face. The generals all looked surprised as they looked from Yuelan to Guangfeng. Nobody spoke for a few minutes while the emperor considered the request. “Alright. I will grant your request. Lady Long Yuelan is wise and kind-hearted and contributed much to the war effort.” He smiled. “Besides, if you are truly determined not to marry there is nothing I can do about it.”

Yuelan gave the emperor a bright smile and bowed. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The emperor waved his hand, then turned to the other generals and started listing gifts for each of them as rewards for their contribution to the war. When he’d finished everyone was dismissed. The generals glanced at Yuelan and Guangfeng, then went ahead.

Yuelan glanced at Guangfeng, blushed, and headed out of the throne room as soon as she looked away. It didn’t take long for the third prince to catch up to her and take her hand into his palm. He pulled her into his arms and held her close, letting out a contented sigh as he closed his eyes and rested his forehead on top of her head.

“Thank you,” he said quietly. “I wasn’t sure you’d actually agree...You act as though you hate me most of the time...I’ve always thought it was because you were embarrassed and that it was cute, but part of me was uncertain….”

Yuelan’s face was hidden in Guangfeng’s chest and she was able to relax just a little. “It’s annoying how you’re always teasing me and trying to make me uncomfortable, but you also recognize that I’m a person with my own likes and dislikes and feelings and I know you try to accommodate them. Between you and the first prince I’d much rather be with you.”

She felt his arms tighten around her and heard him let out a sigh. “Yuelan, I am in love with you. I hope you’ll fall in love with me as well.”

Yuelan blushed, but said nothing. No words would come out. While she wasn’t sure she loved him, she at least found him attractive and sweet in a rather frustrating way. She let him hold her for a bit longer before pushing on his chest and stepping back, his arms loosening to accommodate her. “We should go back,” she mumbled.

Guangfeng smiled and stroked her head with his hand once. “Alright. I’ll be sure to deliver the betrothal gifts to your residence as soon as I get them together. Did you still want to go and buy some new music? I’d be happy to accompany you.”

Her cheeks red, Yuelan hesitated for a moment before nodding to accept his offer. She then turned away and started along the path they’d taken to get from the palace gates to the throne room with Guangfeng a couple of steps behind her and watching her movements with a smile on his face.