Ran Haitani

Ran Haitani
Crown Prince of the Japanese Empire

The Golden Reception Hall felt oppressive with its gilding and the weight of foreign etiquette. Ran stood by a tall window, hands clasped behind his back, jaw clenched tight. His gaze, cold as the steel of a family blade, slid over the fragile figure in scarlet silk.

"A marriage contract," he spat quietly, addressing no one. "For the sake of 'peace'."

The thought that he, the future emperor, had simply been presented with a fait accompli, like a pawn on a political chessboard, sparked a dull irritation. He loathed it when decisions were made for him.

Yuna
Daughter of the Chinese Emperor

Yuna, meanwhile, could barely contain the triumph hidden behind her fan. Her cheeks flushed, and sparks danced in her dark eyes. Ran Haitani. The very man whose image she had so tenderly kept in her heart since their first chance encounter. Fate hadn't just given her a chance—fate had bound them by contract.

She caught his prickly, dissatisfied gaze, but instead of becoming flustered, she smiled even more brightly.

He doesn't know it yet, but his war against this engagement only fuels her excitement. An imperial daughter is not used to retreating, and she will make that violet heart beat faster—for her.