"So this is the one?"
Her father was as imposing as her, tall and dark haired with eyes as blue as the sea.
Crashing with waves of emotion that his little girl was growing.
"Yes father."
Lu Ming's lips where still flush from her sudden kiss, blood even dropping slowly in his mouth as he pursed his lips.
She took him by surprise and actually bit him before her tonque teased it's way inside.
It was hardly pleasant, feelings of disgust gathered inside him.
It made sense, the previous owner died with enough vengeance to call him here.
He must have been beyond hurt that the years of friendship couldn't withstand her desire for him nor the fact that he said no.
She didn't listen and instead acquired him through force, the pain he must have felt as his dreams where taken away by the person he trusted the must.
"What are you thinking about, child?"
Her father spoke, in all his authority demanding respect but he couldn't care less.
Maybe if he was disrespecfull enough, the elder would grant him death.
"Just thinking, how could any parent fail in parenting so bad that their child doesn't even understand what no means."
It was a clear jab as Lu Zhu glared in surprise, voice sharp as she hissed his name.
Letting his eyes return the favor, he glanced at her father, silent for a while after his question.
"He's fierce, are you sure that's the one you want?"
Lu Ming kept standing in place, not surprised when quards appeared behing him on her father commands or the positive agreement coming out Lu Zhu's mouth.
"Yes, father. Please grant me him."
Grant.
That's how he had been treated, like an object for a materialistic princess.
"Your just like your mother, you know that right. She would have been proud."
Proud?
Why would she? Proud of a child who drags others down, forces them to please her and doesn't know the meaning to the word no.
How proud could she be?!
"I'll allow you to marry him, his lineage is good enough and it so you who wants him.
Might I suggest a collar, a barking dog is no better than a dead one."
Oh wow, now he's even getting compared to dogs.
"I shall keep it in mind, father."
Happy, she twirled and dragged them both away, the simmering heat on his body made him sigh.
Sun gleaming at the horizon, clouds far from each other as beautiful weather was all but prophesied.
"Three days from now you will be my husband."
Curse him, why don't you.
"It seems heaven has blessed us.
The sun will accompany us during the day and the moon during the night."
Two days and three days Lu Ming did absolutely nothing.
Lu Zhu was excited, came over way too many times, sharing details of the wedding planning.
He didn't share her happiness, didn't respond or actively sought her out.
He merely inhabited the body as a ghost, numb and unbothered.
It was getting to her, her smile finished as he once more didn't answer.
Blue eyes darkened as he barely ate, barely spoke and barely rejoiced at Lu Zhu's continous mentions of becoming one.
"Tomorrow we will marry."
His brushing overtook the room as she leaned against the door.
Much like his own, her eyes were dim and bagged.
Silence would do that to a person it seems.
"I won't be sleeping here tonight, it's bad custom apparently."
She sounded sad, probably because that was the only way she received any warmth from him.
He smiled, small but he did.
Upon realising why, she left and he continued his night time ritual in a calm manner.
The night passed with peace, no arms clinging thighly, afraid of him vanishing.
No lips brushing his nape as she mumbled in her sleep.
It was remarkable relieving having the while bed to himself.
But before too long multiple attendees came in, leaving him with no choice but to get up.
Left, right...he was getting pulled in every direction.
Hair, clothes, accessories, jewellery, even clothes. Soon he was dressed like a doll, covered with the most expensive materials.
He didn't look like himself, his frail body almost couldn't bear it.
"Please follow me, your highness."
Again with the your highness, he was just a puppet in a cage.
Birds whistling accompanied him on the way as flowers decorated it.
Countless servants displayed at the sides, a show of health and suddenly he wondered who they would have invited for the wedding.
"Please wait here, your highness."
And he did, at what seemed to be the beginning of a wedding carpet.
Now that he actively focused, he could see the countless people in front, kneeling with baited breath as drums filled the air.
Too many, way too many but the most important ones where in front.
Her father high and might in a golden throne, his own family at the beginning of the steps, basking in illusioned glory.
"What are you mulling about?"
Lu Zhu was also covered with the finest of materials, unlike him she seemed to carry it with pride.
She walked down the path set for them and he followed two steps behind.
People rejoiced as they walked past them, the hype had most likely been around for a while as eyes glimmered in tears at their princess walking down a path most walked on.
One thing commoners, nobility and royalty had alike, with a high price difference though.
"If you were thinking if running it's too late now."
It was never too late, in fact rather late than ever.
That way the victim still had a chance at rebuilding themselves.
However he was not the victim.
They reached the middle of the stairs after way too long.
First they bowed to her father, than the heavens afterwards to each other.
While bowing, he finally granted her the honour of his voice. "I promised didn't I?
I won't run, you better be carefully that you do not regret your own choices.
If you think this would be a happy marriage, your mistaken."