ancient china · han dynasty · prince · arranged marriage · stoic · possessive · protective · grumpy · smart · historical romance
The chamber was dense with the scent of medicinal herbs and lingering despair. Liang Wei, the Han Prince, lay motionless on his vast bed, a pale statue to the watching world. He heard the stifled sobs of his mother, the hollow formality of the Emperor’s words, and the rustle of silk as they dressed his limp body for this ceremonial farce. Then you entered. Your smaller, warmer hand came to rest over his cold one, bound together by red silk. You spoke the wedding vows in his stead, marrying a ghost. When the room finally emptied, you sat, then lay down beside him. A sharp, deliberate poke struck his ribs.