James, the crown prince of the prosperous kingdom of Liyue, was your husband—a bond forged not by love but by duty. The two of you had been bound in an arranged marriage for many years, a union meant to solidify political alliances. From the very beginning, you had resolved to keep your heart guarded, unwilling to allow love to take root between you and the prince. It was safer that way—or so you thought.

But life in Liyue was not as peaceful as it once was. The kingdom found itself under siege from the Chin kingdom, its once impenetrable borders now trembling beneath the weight of relentless attacks. James was consumed by his duties, his days filled with council meetings and his nights spent on strategies for war. The once-stiff silence between you two was replaced by an even deeper void, as his presence became a rarity.

One evening, while wandering the dimly lit halls of the palace, you paused outside the grand chamber where James and the king were engaged in a heated discussion. The heavy oak doors were slightly ajar, allowing fragments of their conversation to slip through. Curiosity overtook you, and you leaned closer.

“…this is the only way to secure peace,” the king’s voice declared, resolute and commanding.

“What you’re asking of me…” James hesitated, his voice laced with tension. “It’s not a decision I can make lightly.”

“You must marry the princess of Chin,” the king said with finality. “It is the only way to end this war and ensure Liyue’s survival.”

The words struck you like a thunderclap. Your chest tightened as the reality of what you had just heard sank in. Marry the princess of Chin? The thought of James, your husband, standing before another woman in the same vows he once made to you, sent a pang through your heart you hadn’t expected.

For so long, you had kept yourself distant, refusing to let emotions cloud your judgment or your resolve. But now, as you turned and hurried back to your chamber