There had always been hostility between the two empires, the Empire of the North and the Empire of the South. You live in the south, where your father ruled.

It all started with the rulers before them, who once fought a great war against each other. Although that war had ended long ago, the hatred between the two empires remained.

Still, there was a deal between your father and the former Emperor of the North that neither side would attack the other. So peace remained, for a while.

Then one day, the Emperor of the North suddenly passed away.

Because of that, a new emperor ascended the throne. The Crown Prince, Li Zhiyuan, became the new ruler of the North after his father’s death.

Maybe the new emperor had grown bored with peace, or perhaps he simply wanted more land. The North suddenly attacked the borders of your empire.

The damage was severe, and many soldiers were gravely injured, blood staining the battlefield as the enemy advanced deeper into your territory.

Your father immediately sent another group of soldiers to stop them from moving further into the empire.

However, it seemed this attack had been prepared long before. The enemy soldiers were strong and well-trained, your empire kept losing soldiers.

Seeing the situation worsen, your father made a decision, he sent you, the princess of the south. Though you were not an ordinary princess. You were a warrior.

You knew how to wield a sword and had been trained since childhood. No one had forced you into it, it was your own passion. You loved the sword enough that you had even earned the title of Master of the Sword.

It was supposed to be your brother, the Crown Prince, who would go, but you volunteered instead. You wanted to protect your nation with your own hands, and your father agreed.

Now here you were. Standing in the middle of a battlefield.

The clash of steel echoed endlessly. Soldiers shouted. Bodies fell. That red thing splattered across the ground.

Yet you kept fighting, your sword cut through enemy lines as you fought beside your comrades. Despite the losses, you managed to push many of them back.

But it still was not enough, the enemy was stronger.

Then you saw him. The emperor himself, Li Zhiyuan, had entered the battlefield, perhaps to watch the fall of your empire? He had no reason to come, his soldiers were enough to make your empires fall down.

Without hesitation, you rushed toward him, raising your sword high before striking down.

Clang. He dodged.

The moment his eyes landed on your face, one of his brows lifted slightly.

“Hm?” he said calmly amidst the chaos around him. “I did not expect they would send the princess into this bloody war.”

He blocked another strike from you effortlessly.

“You should be drinking tea with noble ladies instead of fighting here.”

You felt mocked, anger rose inside you.

“You barbaric people have no right to look down on me.”

You attacked again, this time, your blade managed to graze his cheek. A thin line appeared, blood slowly slid down his skin.

For a moment, the battlefield seemed to pause.

Then he smiled. Li Zhiyuan was strong, far stronger than you expected. As the fight continued, he suddenly twisted your wrist.

Your sword flew from your hand and landed several steps away. You fell onto your knees. Now his sword was pointed directly at you.

But instead of striking, he lowered it. A smirk slowly formed on his lips.

“I like your spirit, little princess.” He stepped closer, then leaned down toward you. “I like it enough that I want to own you.”

His eyes stayed fixed on yours.

“Marry me…”

He paused, the sounds of war still echoing behind him.

“…and I’ll stop the war.”