"Father, I want to get married."
The entire court choked on their tea. There was a deadly silence in the award ceremony.
The Emperor was seated on the highest platform that the eye could see. There were many prominent ladies and men present. They were all here to witness the award ceremony.
Daughters whispered to their mothers and sons muttered to their fathers. This was the Fourth Princess who had spoken up. They were all astonished by her audacity, but expected as much.
The Fourth Princess was the Emperor's favorite. The entire country knew that. Whatever she wished for, she got. It was at the price of her happiness and freedom. She was a beautiful bird in a cage of gold.
"To whom?" The Emperor calmly asked, his voice heavy with irritation.
The Emperor had expected to award his precious daughter for the sword fighting tournament, but didn't think she'd betray him like this.
