The palace was beautiful. Golden torches flickered down the stairs, and above us, thousands of lanterns floated in midair, casting soft glows on the marble and mirrored windows. Music drifted through the air, violins, harps, and piano, and people in lavish gowns and masks were already spilling into the entrance, all polished perfection and nervous excitement.
"You don't have to go in," Yuren said gently, watching me from the corner of his eye.
"I do," I whispered.
"I'm not entirely sure why you've chosen to pursue this path out of the blue, and I know that it's difficult for you to share your thoughts and feelings openly. However, I truly hope that he is worth it, and that this choice is worth the discomfort you're feeling."
I smiled faintly. "He is."
I took a deep breath and clicked
