Author's Note:
This is an alternate universe.
In this universe, Japan is called the Amateru Kingdom.
South Korea and North Korea are combined into one kingdom called Goryeo Kingdom.
The kingdoms have the same cities as Japan and Korea.
Amateru and Goryeo have always been rivals, but they also have a common enemy, the Miranai Kingdom.
***
July 2025
After decades of intense rivalry, The King of Goryeo and the Emperor of Amateru sat together for a peace treaty. Another important person who was also present was Crown Prince Seong Rihan of Goryeo.
This meeting was held because Miranai, another rival kingdom, was getting more and more evil. Miranai funded rebellions in other countries, and everyone predicted that country would soon put its claws between the people of Amateru and Goryeo.
Before it happened, the kings of the two kingdoms decided to put their egos aside and discussed how to end more than 100 years of intense rivalry between them.
"Your Highness, you have a princess, and I have a crown prince. Why don't we seal this good intention of partnership by arranging their marriage?"
King Seong Jihan of Goryeo was taken aback.
"But my Yeonhwa is still so young! She's only fifteen!"
"They can have a long engagement. I propose a decade of engagement. What do you think?"
"I apologize, but I'm going to be blunt. Yeonhwa is my baby. Goryeo's baby girl, to be honest. Why should I give her to your crown prince? Is he a good person?"
"Hemph!!!" Emperor Amano grunted. He honestly looked like he's about to be angry and launch a war upon such an impertinent question. He even suddenly paced the room to lessen his anger.
When he sat down again, he was more composed.
"My Yusuke is a good young man. His behavior is splendid. You can try to dig dirt on him, but you will find none, because he simply has none. He's more of an introvert, but he's very intelligent and kind. He has my brain and his mother's kindness. Personally, I can never ask for a better heir."
"Ten years is a long time for an engagement. Can he maintain his good character? Even after they marry?"
The Emperor of Amateru glared at the King of Goryeo, to the point that Rihan was going to propose a break.
"He is a good person. He will not suddenly become evil. I pledge this in the name of Amateru!!!"
King Jihan was silent, thinking hard.
"And how about this Lotus Flower Princess of yours?"
Yeonhwa means Lotus Flower in Goryeoan language.
"Uri Yeonhwa is the Lotus Flower of Goryeo. The whole kingdom has loved her since she was born. She is smart. Currently in grade 9. A student council president in her school, chosen unanimously by her school mates. She didn't even campaign. She wins many science, coding and robotics competitions. She also plays harp in her free time. She's too young to be in any relationships as of now, but I'm willing to give her to the Crown Prince of Amateru if he is really a good man and he promises to treat uri Yeonhwa as an equal partner, not beneath her."
"A studious young girl," Emperor Amano commented. "Is she well-tempered?"
"Uri Yeonhwa is well-tempered, well-behaved and well-educated!!!" Her father replied indignantly.
".....she sounds like a good match for my only son."
The two kings stared at each other, considering whether this was really a good choice for their children.
"Miranai kingdom has evolved to be more...disturbing. There might come a time when we will need each other," King Jihan mused.
"That is true. An arranged marriage with ten years of engagement between our children will give our people some peace."
"Is it a deal, then, this betrothal?"
"Yes, Your Highness. Uri Yeonhwa still needs to grow up, but she could get to know your son slowly."
Emperor Amano waved his hand, "There's no need to hurry."
"But do you think it will be better if you give her one week to consider? And that you will not attack my kingdom if she truly rejects this?"
"What??? Reject my son, the Crown Prince of Amateru???"
"Just to give her some autonomy of her own destiny. Honestly, uri Yeonhwa is a dutiful girl. She knows she has obligations to support this kingdom. She also knows that her marriage might be tied to politics. But I'd like to give her this freedom, from a father to his daughter."
".....if my son rejects her, you shouldn't be annoyed as well," Emperor Amano said haughtily.
"Shall we continue to learn to be friends if the engagement is rejected?"
"Naturally."
"Let's talk to our children today, then."
***
That evening, when Emperor Amano returned to Amateru, he immediately told Yusuke the engagement plan.
".....Otousama, she's only fifteen."
"Therefore the ten years of engagement. You will not marry each other until she's 25. You'll be 31 by then, readier as well, hopefully."
Yusuke said nothing.
"Miranai is arranging conflicts everywhere. Other countries got rebellions and fights born from hatred that was encouraged by that kingdom. Seong Jihan and I think this is the time to stop thinking about our pride and.....join hands. Our people will be more peaceful, especially once we announce your engagement publicly."
Yusuke was still silent.
"Jihan said this Princess Yeonhwa is a student council president in her junior high. Wins lots of science competitions as if it's just flicking her hand, and she's well-mannered. She does sound as if she would be a good queen. Someone with a backbone, a sharp brain and a good personality."
When Yusuke still said nothing, Amano took a small figure of Amaterasu that was made from bronze, placed on his desk.
"Dear Lady Amaterasu, did you give me a son or a stone? He just wouldn't speak when I need his opinion urgently!"
"I won't reject this if it's for Amateru, Otousama. You already know that."
"Yes, yes, of course. But it wouldn't hurt to hear a confirmation from your own mouth, would it?"
Yusuke sighed.
"However, she might refuse you."
"Hai."
"Don't just "hai" me, you boy! You must be proactive! Send her an express letter to convince her you're not a threat! Make her not reject you in a week's time! I will be embarrassed!!!"
"She should be able to choose."
"She better accepts you or I'll feel bitter!"
"Don't take this personally. She's just so young."
"Don't take her side already! She might still reject you! Go write a letter! I'll send a guard to fly to Goryeo and give it to her!!!"
"Hai."
***
Of course King Seong Jihan made Rihan deliver the blow to Yeonhwa, but he was present, with the queen.
Yeonhwa was naturally shocked.
".....this early?"
"You will be engaged for ten years. You don't even have to do anything for a long time. You just need to accept the engagement for now."
"But you can refuse. You got a week to consider," King Jihan added after Rihan.
"What will happen if I refuse?"
"Emperor Amano promised not to cause a war," Rihan answered.
"But it will be nothing that we can't handle."
Queen Yerin cut in, "Yeobo, do you want this arranged marriage to happen or not, actually?"
"I just want uri Yeonhwa to understand that there's no pressure."
"She's born with pressure. She knows her duties," the queen replied.
"Is he.....a good person?" Yeonhwa asked.
"I found no scandal," Rihan replied, "He's 21, studying Politics Strategy in Amateru University. An introvert who reads literature."
"I...can this wait until after I graduate high school? I'm still in junior high."
"If you accept this engagement, you and him can stay as legal fiancé's with no obligations to each other," Rihan said.
"That's easy for you to say, Oppa. You chose your own wife," Yeonhwa replied sharply.
Rihan and Yeonhwa were 8 years apart, but they were close. They met often even after Rihan got married.
"Will he....make my life difficult in the future?"
"We can see how he behaves in a decade, then cancel it if he's acting badly," the king said, hands folded.
"I'll...think about it."
***
The next day, Yeonhwa accepted a letter from Prince Yusuke, delivered by a special guard who flew directly from Tokyo.
The letter was sealed with the Tsukihara crest.
On the envelope it was addressed to:
HRH Princess Lee Yeonhwa
of Goryeo
She turned the envelope.
It was written: From: Tsukihara Yusuke of Amateru.
He didn't write his own title.
That might be the reason Yeonhwa broke the envelope's seal and began to read the letter.
To Her Royal Highness Princess Lee Yeonhwa of Goryeo,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirit.
I am sure by now you have heard of the plan of our arranged marriage, proposed by our royal fathers.
I am writing this to inform you of my acceptance, as it is my duty to bring peace for Amateru people. Our kingdoms haven't been in exactly the best relationships over the past 100 years.
Our fathers plan to work together to defend our two kingdoms against Miranai.
This is the reason for our proposed betrothal.
However, I am aware of how young you are, and that our age is 6 years apart.
You have one week to consider whether to reject or refuse this proposal from our father. I will still respect you if you refuse this. It's completely understandable.
However, if you accept this arrangement on the seventh day, also by your sense of duty, I will remain as someone who will not threaten your peace, your study or your personal future plans.
You can see me as a friend living across the ocean, who will be praying for your health.
Sincerely,
Tsukihara Yusuke
of Amateru
***
On the seventh day, her father asked Yeonhwa, "So? Will my daughter refuse or accept this engagement?"
"Prince Yusuke wrote me a letter. He promised he will not threaten my peace, my study or my personal future plans. He sounds rational and respectful. I am not refusing, for now."
The king was half happy, yet half unwilling to accept this.
"Ahrasseo. I'll talk to that annoying Amano who's planning to take my daughter away from me."
Herewith the texting between the two kings:
King Jihan: my daughter decides not to refuse your son for now.
Emperor Amano: Praise Lady Amaterasu!
KJ: Are we announcing it publicly?
EA: yes. I'll announce it in Amateru today.
KJ: I'll announce it here after your statement.
Once the engagement was officially announced, the people of both kingdoms rejoiced, although Miranai's King heard it with bitterness and suspicion.
Yusuke wrote another letter for Yeonhwa.
HRH Princess Lee Yeon Hwa of Goryeo,
Thank you for your kind acceptance.
Don't worry about anything and please just continue your life as it is.
However, because we will be united in the far future, I propose that we write letters to each other once a week. We need to know each other slowly.
May you have a great week,
Tsukihara Yusuke
of Amateru.
***