Li Xian arrived at his kingdom, the palace gates grander than he remembered. The air was thick with excitement and a faint tension, a reminder that this sudden wedding was more than just a celebration — it was a political move orchestrated by his father.
His sisters were already bustling about, dressed in elegant silks, their laughter bright but tinged with nerves. Li Xian quickly found his eldest sister in her chambers, and his heart tightened at the realization that her future was being decided without her consent… or so he thought.
"Wait," Li Xian said gently, taking her hands in his. "Do you really want to marry him? Just tell me… if you don't, I'll handle it. Love is the most important thing in a marriage. You know me — even if Father opposes me, I can stand in front of you. So don't be afraid, okay?"
His sister blinked at him, a soft smile forming. "Oh, my little cute brother… yes, yes, I know about you. And… I agreed to this because I love him. I've loved him since childhood. I know it's mostly politics this time, but… I was lucky. I got who I truly love."
Li Xian blinked, relief and amusement washing over him. "Oh my god… so my sister really fell for him, huh? Hehe."
She tilted her head, a teasing spark in her eyes. "And you… don't you have anyone in your heart?"
Li Xian's laugh faded, a subtle hesitation in his voice. "Mmm… I don't know. Maybe… hehe." He forced a smile, brushing it off, but his mind briefly drifted to Zhao Han, back at the academy.
"I have to go, sis," he said finally, shaking off the lingering thoughts. "I have to meet my brother-in-law… soon."
A few days later, the wedding was nothing short of grand. The palace shimmered with lanterns and silk banners, the air alive with music, laughter, and whispered congratulations. Li Xian stood beside his sister, proud but trying to hide the slight tug at his heart as he saw her walk down the aisle, eyes shining with genuine joy.
When it was over, he hugged her tightly, feeling the warmth of her trust and happiness. As he stepped back, leaving her to her new life, his eyes burned with unspoken emotions — a mixture of protectiveness, pride, and something deeper that he hadn't fully acknowledged yet.
Li Xian left the palace that night, the glow of lanterns fading behind him, carrying a heart a little heavier but wiser. Somewhere in the distance, his thoughts drifted back to Zhao Han… and a silent promise formed: when the time was right, he would face his own feelings, no matter how complicated.