The wedding party continued at The Yellow Lotus Palace.
It was artistic, elegant and festive, fitting for Prince Rui and his image. It was of great taste and not vulgar at all.
This kind of event made Prince Wei had to visit his stepbrother's palace for the first time, without Consort Lan in tow.
Thankfully, they only had to dine in separate tables and watched some traditional dances that were prepared for the event.
Wei only stayed for around thirty minutes, enough to not be considered rude, before he left.
The ministers stayed for around two hours.
Some of them actually wanted to approach Rui, but they were hesitant, and finally decided against it.
They only talked to him before they left though, everyone was wishing him well. Some were sincere, some just said it out of formality, and some more actually hated her as much as they hated his mother.
After the ministers left, Rui and Seorin were left to do what was arguably the most important thing in a wedding day, the wedding night.
*****
Theoretically, they were supposed to consummate their wedding immediately, but it was entirely illogical.
The two just met that day.
The most they would do, surely, was to have a conversation.
The wedding custom lady directed Rui to open Seorin's wedding veil with a small staff made out of metal and was adorned with gems.
There was a hook at the end, and Rui lifted the veil.
Instead of looking down demurely, Seorin was looking directly at him.
Rui looked back, and admitted that she was pretty, in an unnerving way.
Perhaps that was the effect of being Yeonghwa king's favorite child and being highly educated.
"Princess."
"Crown Prince," Seorin greeted back.
"The Crown Prince and Princess must hook their hands and drink wine for a happy wedding life."
The wedding custom lady informed.
A lady in-waiting went forward with two cups of wine.
Rui and Seorin nearly rejected out of awkwardness, but finally let it go and did it.
Their hands linked.
Rui could smell a hint of camelia from the princess, and he drank the wine.
"We wish you a great and memorable night, Your Highnesses."
The wedding custom lady left the room with all the maids, and the two were left alone.
Silence fell so completely as they stared at each other.
Outside at the banquet hall, the staff of the palace were having their dinner. They were loyal people, mostly from the late empress's family palace, the Lian Palace, so they were the happiest people when Rui finally got married, since they were all there when Rui was in his most devastating point.
In the wedding chamber, though, the royal couple were marveling at their new status.
I suddenly must be responsible of this princess's life, Rui thought. She must have married me because I'm the best candidate. But did he know how messed up my life is?
Seorin was staring too. She had met so many noblemen in her life, during formal events or ceremonies and parties.
But no one...was as regal and as captivating as Prince Rui.
Admiration of his appearance swept her so completely that Seorin was scared of her own heart.
How could a man look like this? Was he real or half a magical creature?
"Princess, we are alone now. Please, answer me honestly, why did you marry me?"
Seorin opened her mouth.
Rui waited.
Seorin blinked.
"Princess?"
"I—I—"
Seorin shut her eyes and grabbed her own dress.
Don't be a fool now. This is truly not the time! You've been well-educated your whole life! Answer him!
Seorin cleared her throat.
"Men find glory by defending their kingdom. Women find glory by marrying well," she started.
Rui was silent, absorbing the answer.
"I have a kingdom that I'd like to impress. And if I marry you, Your Highness, you will not attack my kingdom."
For a few seconds, Rui was speechless.
"My, my, you are so blunt, Princess."
"I need to say what's most important for me."
"I see."
"If you don't mind, I even carry a list of things I'd like to tell you."
"You wrote a list just to talk to me?"
"You are the crown prince of Huang Empire. I was afraid I would lose my nerve."
Clearly she hasn't, Rui thought.
Seorin drank some tea to control herself, before saying, "I will listen to what you'll say, first, Your Highness."
"Fine. I have a few things that I need to tell you. First, let's not hurt each other. We marry for the sake of our kingdoms. Let's respect each other and not backstab one another."
That answer was overwhelming. Ah, people were not exaggerating. He was indeed The Mourning Prince.
"I won't hurt you, Your Highness, unless you hurt me tremendously first," Seorin replied, despite the lower tone, as the topic was a little too intense even for her.
"I understand," Rui replied. "Secondly, please help me guard my name and honor. Please behave accordingly, as a Crown Prince Consort should."
"Yes, Your Highness. If I'm….unsure, I'll ask for your opinion first."
"Yes, please. From two people who didn't know each other, we are suddenly married. We are still strangers, but we are now also a family. I intend to do all my obligations as a husband. I will protect you, provide for you, give you comfort, and I will offer you friendship in this transition time for both of us. If you need anything, please tell me. Feelings can't be forced, but I long for a peaceful life. Let's be friends, not enemies, Princess."
"...you are very sensible, Your Highness. I am grateful."
"Don't be grateful yet, you've been here so briefly. And how about you, do you have any requests?"
From inside her sleeves, Seorin took out a sheet of paper. She really did plan ahead of what she wanted to say, so that she wouldn't forget when they were finally face to face.
Rui was amused, but held his smile back.
"I request for the right of pursuing my education. I'd like to learn more about this empire."
"Ah, I learn that you were educated together with your brother, the crown prince of Yeonghwa kingdom. However, I can't allow you to do that here, because I don't think it's appropriate for you to meet a male tutor regularly."
"Perhaps you could spare your time and be my tutor, Your Highness. Just recommend me some books related with Huang Empire's history and culture as the topics."
"Very well, I'll find the time to do that."
"I exercise regularly through dancing. Is it possible for me to do that here?"
"...it is possible, with no audience. If dancing just for yourself is bearable, I'll find musicians for you."
"That is bearable, My Lord. I thank you."
"Art is necessary, it's like a breathing space."
"I agree."
"Is there anything else?"
"I want to continue my free meal house for the poor."
"I apologize. You will get a sufficient monthly allowance, Princess. If you want, you can continue the free meal house here, but you are not allowed to serve there yourself. I can assign people for that, not you."
"But that's a cause that is important for me."
"I know. However, the Crown Prince Consort in this empire can't do that. You can still donate, but arrange it from this palace. You won't be the one doing it yourself."
She looked like she wanted to argue, but finally, she took a deep breath, "Alright. I will just arrange it from this palace."
"Good."
They were quiet for a while.
The air felt a bit tense.
Seorin began to feel that she was not free now, but it was the consequences of being a crown prince consort.
Rui felt it too.
He poured another cup of tea for his new wife.
"None of us ate properly since noon. Let's have dinner. Afterwards, we need to spend the night in one bed just for propriety's sake. Don't worry, I won't do anything else tonight."
Did he think I would feel comforted after hearing that?
Her eyes wandered around the room. It seemed that it was supposed to be her room from that day onwards. She was sure he had his own chambers at another part of the palace.
Her eyes caught the wooden divan.
"If you can be merciful, please take the bed, My Lord, and let me take the divan tonight."
"That's not possible. If one of us sleep somewhere else, the ladies in waiting and the eunuchs will gossip. It would be bad for your image. Just spend the night with me. You won't die just by sleeping in a bed with me, Princess, I guarantee that."
But my heart couldn't be guaranteed, Seorin thought.
Rui had started eating. He didn't have the appetite all day, yet he was hungry.
Wanting to be polite, Seorin picked out her chopsticks as well.
*****
Author's Note:
Hahah. I think their wedding night is more of a negotiation night.
But it comes out quite cute, if I may say so myself.
Thank you for reading my "falling for Renjun" story. I'd appreciate it if you comment and add this to your library.