I stand nervously as my parents emerge from their room. Noticing my distress, my Father looks at me worriedly, “Is something wrong, my child? Are you ill?”

“I'm not ill, Father. I'm here to decline the marriage proposal,” I blurt out, fiddling with my thumbs.

“But why? General Li is a great man and it seems he likes you very much. Do you like someone else?” Father sighs, massaging his forehead.

I slowly nod my head, mother asks me, “Who is it? We haven't heard of you getting close to any other Lord.”

“It's…not a Lord…I…I'm in love with Lady Li Yue,” I finally spit out, taking a deep breath.

“What? What are you saying? I'm sure you adore Lady Li as a friend, but we're talking about marriage here,” Father walks over and stands in front of me.

I gulp and look up at him, an uncomfortable feeling settling in my stomach, “Father…I love her romantically. I do not wish to marry anyone else.”

My mother grabs me by the shoulder and turns me towards her, “What're you saying Dear? You can't marry another. You two won't be able to produce heirs and you need someone to take care of you…to protect you.”

“Mother, I know our love for each other is considered taboo. But we can't help how we feel,” I let out a deep sigh.

“You're young. You're just mistaking your affection for her as love when it's just attachment for a childhood friend,” mother says exasperatedly, shaking my shoulders.

“Mother, I know what I feel and I stand by it,” I say confidently, determined about the solidity of my love.

“Young Lady, it seems you've been spending too much time at the Li residence and have grown delusional. You're on house arrest till further instructions,” Father commands adamantly.

I sigh and turn around, returning to my chambers and wondering where it all went wrong.

It's been a week since I talked to my parents, and a maid asks me to head to the tea room. I get there quietly and see my mother.

“General Li is coming to talk to you. Don't behave irrationally,” she warns me sternly.

“Did he say anything about why he's visiting?” I ask curiously.

“He did not, but I'm sure it is to discuss the marriage proposal. Do not humiliate us,” she gives me a stern look and leaves.

I watch as General Li enters the tea room. I greet him politely and sit down, “Would you like some tea?”

“Of course,” he says nonchalantly as he sits down.

I pour us some hot tea. After a few sips, I look up at him and ask, “What brought you here?”

“Yue told me everything when you stopped visiting. Guessing from the atmosphere, you've been on house arrest right?” he intakes a deep breath.

“Indeed. Was it you who proposed the idea of marriage? Or was it the Lord's idea?” I ask him curiously.

He sighs and smiles solemnly and speaks, “I do not wish to lie to you. It was indeed my thought. I should have approached you first.”

“Why did you have that thought out of the blue?” I look him in the eyes and I can sense the sorrow in them.

He chuckles loudly, “Out of the blue? You're mistaken. I've been watching you for a long time. But it seems I'm not as brave as they say,” he whispers out the last part, focusing on his tea.

He clears his throat and looks up again, “Since childhood, I've prioritised my sister over anything else. She's the apple of my eye. Tell me…how much do you love her?” He looks at me seriously as he asks this.

I smile fondly as I think of her smile and reply, “In her presence, time ceases to exist, and I find myself longing for forever. She has not just stolen my heart, she has become its rightful owner. I love her more than words could ever convey.”

He looks intrigued by my words and resolve and says, “I have a solution for you two…”

———————————————————
———————————————————

🌟  LIKE 🌟 COMMENT 🌟 SHARE 🌟