Rebirth of the Phoenix Queen

y had

e a polished mirror, her reflection a picture of regal beauty. Her handmaiden, Mei, carefully adjusted the intricate folds

ent sleepl

Tian. Every moment, she felt the crushing weight of duty bearing down on her. There was

taking," Mei said, steppin

tight smile. "Thank you, Mei. Though beauty a

woman, but now even she could see the burden her princess was carrying. "Your Highness, Emperor Tian's proposal may seem o

alone could protect her from the ruthless world of political alliances. Her life would no longer belong to her;

is not just about me. It's about the empire. And I must do w

eror's D

with tension, as everyone awaited Emperor Lin's formal declaration of the marriage alliance between Shenzhou and Ti

of a great and historic union. The kingdom of Shenzhou and the kingdom of Tianlong will join forc

assembled courtiers, but Lin Yue remaine

r Lin continued, "will be sealed by the marriage of my d

It was now official-her fate had been sealed. She would b

ll. She wondered what Emperor Tian was like in person. Would he be the charming, magnetic

ter from

ispersed, Lin Yue found herself in her private chambers. Mei had alr

s advisor, Minister Wei, stepped into the room. He held

bow, "a personal letter has ar

rry, yet this was the first direct communication she had received from him. She t

i. You may leave," she

an eternity before finally breaking the seal. Her eyes sca

ess L

your strength as a ruler. Know that this marriage is not just a formality, but a partnership, a meeting of two great

we do, I trust that you will

ror

g unsettling beneath the surface. He spoke of partnership and destiny, but Lin Yue couldn't shake the feeling that this marria

ew what was expected of her, she would go through with this marriage, an

adow of Emperor Tian's power? Or would she

tions fo

activity, as preparations were made for her journey to meet her future husband. She would be escorted by an entou

r shoulders. Soon, she would leave behind the only home she had ever known, to step into a w

on full of worry. "Your High

sadness in her eyes betrayed her true feel

mors, Princess. Some say that Emperor Tian is a man who de

e will learn that I am no ordinary woman. I will

ration. "You're right, Princess. You

d. She had been raised to protect her kingdom, to lead with strength and wisdom. And now, as she prepared