With that decided, Rean was finally free to spend the next few days in the Dalamu Residence. There, the twins accompanied their parents or played with their younger sister. Well, Roan did not do so that much, though. Other than that, they used their free time to practice or revise some things. Qia also came to pay a visit to Rean's parents several times. As always, Rean was forced to come out.

Soon, five days went by. The day of marriage finally arrived.

​​

The Imperial Palace had many guests. However, as one could imagine, most were on the Fifth Princes' side. Anyone in a neutral position or loyal to other princes and princesses didn't accept the invitation. Rean didn't care since he wasn't going to be on the Fifth Prince's side anyway.

As everyone talked and enjoyed the festivities, Rean and Qia were in another corner, talking with each other. Qia received a Spiritual Sense message from her before, so he had to come.

As he arrived there, he saw Qia's serious expression... and how beautiful she was with her wedding dress. The fact was that it was supposed to be a surprise. However, before the wedding ceremony started for real, she really had to get something out of her chest first.

Rean quickly came back to himself after that sight and changed into his fake marriage mode.

"So, the farce has finally reached this point. There is no coming back now, you know?"

Qia's eyes became a little sad. She didn't like it when Rean used words like farce or fake. After all, she was doing her best to push it into a real relationship. However, she quickly recovered before saying.

"It's fine. I have no intention of coming back anyway."

Rean nodded.

"By the way, what did you want to talk about?"

Qia then took a deep breath.

"It's about our relationship."

Rean didn't seem to mind.

"Don't worry, I will carry my part of the deal and not get involved with you as much as possible after we leave the capital."

Rean, once again, made sure to draw the line between them. However...

"That's the problem. I don't want it to stay like that. Rean, I'll be very direct. I love you!"

Rean bitterly smiled, already expecting something like that. However, he quickly got ahold of himself and spoke.

"Ahem... Then I'll be very direct as well. I don't want to have anything to do with you. I noticed how you tried to get my attention and... affection so far. Unfortunately, I can't accept those feelings of yours."

Qia insisted.

"Why? Am I not good enough?"

Rean shook his head in response as he replied.

"It has nothing to do with who is good and who is bad. There are way too many things I need to do, things that I can't really talk about. There will eventually come a time where we will need to go separate ways. When that time comes, do you think I can leave my family behind just like that? If that's the case, I might as well not have any."

Qia shook her head as she responded.

"If that's the case, then you can simply bring me together. I might be a princess, but I'm not someone attached to the Imperial Bloodline as much as you think. Otherwise, why would I accept this deal where I can get this supposed 'freedom?' I'm already trying to get away from the Imperial Family's duties with this wedding, so I might as well follow you till the end."

Rean scratched the back of his head at this issue. She really didn't know what kind of problem he and Roan would go through. In her scope of mind, whatever Rean had to do would at most have something to do with this war of the Empire, and that was it.

"What are you talking about? Can you see what you're saying? Follow me? Stay with me? Let me tell you, I'm not the type that thinks that a woman has to follow her husband wherever he goes. A wife's job is to support her husband? Bullshit! Then what about supporting the wife? What if the wife is the one who needs to move to another place? Would the husband just follow you as well? This kind of outdated thought is something I despise."

"However, you are doing exactly just that. You are simply not thinking about yourself and are just haphazardly agreeing to go through whatever problem I have! That's wrong! You can't put me ahead of your own wishes, your own wellbeing, your own future. Marriage is not supposed to be like that. It's supposed to be something where both sides stand as equals! I'm sorry, but this 'you' that puts me as first priority is not something I want, nor can I have."

Qia was taken aback by that. Indeed, even though women's positions in this world were quite good, many still thought like that. Qia couldn't help but blame herself. Before she came to know Rean, she was prideful. She would never think about following her future husband at all costs, especially after a political marriage. Love... was a terrifying thing... or so Qia thought.

*Pah!*

Qia then slapped her cheeks as her expression changed with resolve.

"You're right. This kind of submissive woman was never something I aimed to be. However, I was so focused on obtaining your feelings that I forgot myself. I forgot the type of woman who I had always been. I'm Qia Sasamil, a woman who never relied on others and tried to prove herself with her own effort. That is also the Sasamil Imperial Family's motto. You must stand by yourself!"

Rean smiled with a satisfied expression.

"So you finally noticed the changes I caused to you, huh? In any case, now you know that you can go after the things you want without having me by your side. After the wedding is over and we go back to Dalamu Sect, go out and experience the world on your own. It will be good for you."

Qia nodded as she replied.

"Yes. I'll grab my own future with my hands. Just like I always did."

Rean nodded.

"Very good."

All of a sudden, Qia grabbed Rean's arm and pressed him against the wall. It was so fast and unexpected that he couldn't even react in time. Before he could say anything, she once again stole another kiss from him. That was without a doubt the most passionate kiss she ever gave to Rean. That was also the one she liked the most up to now. There was no bias, no excuses, no regrets, only her determination! She was the one in control of her own wishes!

"I've decided! Since I want you, I will simply get you. To hell with the following you wherever you go. I'll be your wife and the mother of your children, but I'll also go after my own dreams while you go out there and resolve whatever you have to do. Even if we have to separate in the end, so what? I'll go do my own things while you're away. It's that simple. I'll make sure you will never regret it."

Rean was speechless... but a certain someone wasn't.

[Wow! She was so cool! I hope I'm like her when I grow up.]

Rean felt like crying already.

'Shut up!'

Why do things never go as Rean planned?