Chapter Text
The role of a princess had always been too tight for her, since when she was little. But everything went worse as her family lost their noble rank due to a horrible scandal and they were condemned to beg for mercy- debiting themselves to regain the illusion of the lost wealth.
Her brother joined a group of mercenaries and took a noblewoman as his wife, leaving the family's decadent palace behind; while Pei Zhi remained among the ruins and attempted to do something to change their conditions.
She wasn't ashamed to work for merchants and lesser nobles. Copying letters, drafting replies, reading contracts aloud — those tasks soothed her more than court etiquette ever had. Of course, it wasn't enough to sustain her parents' high expectations and lifestyle... so recently Pei Zhi began to work in a medical herbs boutique too, where she learned some medicine tips while packing an order and another.
But the hard work that was strengthening her independence and pride was seen as a shameful outrage by her parents' eyes.
A princess couldn't lose her dignity like that -submitting to others' orders.
Without her knowledge, they arranged a marriage for her.
There were rumours about a man whose origins were mysterious but his power grew day by day and soon became influential among the lands. The Onychinus estate paraded an intimidating wealth in a land that had been considered merely ruins not long before -the N109 countryside.
Everybody whispered that he had led entire armies for war and returned home carrying one victory after another, hoarding treasures and gold each time. Even the King didn't dare to get in his way, because it was better having a ruthless man who never left enemies alive on the battlefield as a distant ally instead.
Her family couldn't pass up the chance to restore their lost nobility.
They didn't think twice to offer their daughter in marriage in exchange for a taste of wealth and power.
Her anger and disdain didn't change her fate.
Her protests fell on deaf ears when the engagement was held and she had to wear a cold metal around her ring finger without having ever seen this man before.
She had heard the rumours too but nothing matched the figure she found in front of her.
Those eyes were the same crimson red of the spilled blood.
And as Pei Zhi met his gaze, she realised that her life would never truly be hers again.