When the cherry blossom fades
If there is one thing people expect out of an alliance, it is peace. No one expects conflicts to heighten or wars to break out. No one expects buried secrets to come to light or hidden agendas to be exposed. So what triggered it all? Was it the Seventh Prince, the King of Jeontu, the Emperor of Shangwei, their minister, or someone neither of them expected? Will peace ever result? If so, who will restore it? Who's tragic back story is going to cause havoc to the nations as two young lovers learn to trust one another? _____ "My romantic mother named me after the sweet sight of the cherry blossom that comforted her in a moment of life and death; after its beauty, and grace. On the other hand, my realistic father named me after a cherry blossom’s fleeting lifetime.' _____ "Aeng-ah, please repeat after me. 'I will not cause any trouble for Jeontu, Shangwei, and especially your husband.' Please keep to those words." "Aye, show me a little trust. I may be a tad bit cheeky, but do you think I would risk anything when so many things are at stake? You have my word - if something goes wrong from this alliance... I'll wash my hands clean." _____ "Your Highness, other than you I don't necessarily have a goal. So please stop threatening me already. Put down the Bao bao, let us have a heart-to-heart." Han Aeng thought for a bit, before continuing, "You can trust me." Long Dahai's heart wanted to trust her words, but her eyes were murky - as clear as a muddy river. It made him think of all the times she'd proven otherwise. "Quite frankly, I don't trust the way you said I can trust you." "Oh, come on! I'm the suspicious one!? Are you all going to ignore the dude running around in a black suit, laughing like a lunatic?!" "...I'll take my chances."
.5 - They want who?
"They plan on sending that brat to Shangwei!?"
The minister's face contorted with hostility and anger, his nostrils flaring as his fist clenched tightly. The servant girl, trembling before him, nodded hastily, fearing for her life.
"This servant dare not lie to My Lord. I overheard His Majesty and His Grace discussing it," she whispered meekly.
Rage burned within the minister as he muttered through gritted teeth, "He wants to send that brat? I knew his insistence on an alliance was too out of character. He wants to bolster his own position by marrying her off to a foreign prince."
The servant girl dug her head closer to the ground, feeling like a traitor for exposing the sweetest girl she had ever known. But her family's survival depended on sharing such information. "I'm sorry, My Lady, but I need to survive," she thought silently.
Glancing at the servant girl, the minister tossed her a bag of silver. "Get going," he commanded, his voice laced with a mix of disdain and urgency. The servant girl quickly scrambled to her feet and ran away, clutching the silver tightly.
"As if taking the Prime Minister title wasn't enough for him, he now seeks foreign power. Over my dead body!" the minister seethed, his anger palpable. He had carried a deep grudge against Prime Minister Han for a long time, despising him with a burning passion. Everything he had lost could be traced back to Prime Minister Han's existence—his job, his status, his worth. All had vanished because of a love-struck brat who had no business meddling in politics.
"Fine. This is how you want to play? I'll help you get rid of that little burden," he declared, a wicked gleam in his eyes. With a swift motion, he reached into his sleeve and pulled out a green token, a symbol of his conniving intentions. "I should pay that person a visit."
OMG the books being recommended on the fresh stories :O ahshskwnjfd
If you like the story so far, or have any comments about my questionable writing please let me know '3'