Chapter 25 - I want to become your home (1/2)

I walk out in a fit of anger.

I agree. This is not the 21st century. The emperor's words are the freaking law. Arrange marriages are common. Forced marriages are more common. If my aunt hasn't been there for me, I can't imagine what would have happened to me.

I should have pretended to be a man like her. I wonder how she lived. I ignore the glances and go to the edge of the camp. I sit down on the snow and make circles. I need to think. Marrying Li Jun is unacceptable. I must run, but where?

Someone covers my back with a coat. I look up and find Li Jun staring down at me. He sits beside me quietly. There is an odd silence between us. I have nothing to say. I don't understand why he would even think of marrying me. Falling in love at first sight? Haha! Only fools would believe that.

I want to go back to my time.

***

”I know that you can change this.” Yoori drops all formality with the fifth prince since they are alone. ”That girl can't marry Li Jun.”

Wu Yixing hides his temper to see her like that for another woman. ”Why can't she marry Li Jun? She should be glad that she can marry someone like Li Jun.”

”I want her to become mine.” Yoori's voice is low and grave. She won't let her brother's only daughter marry someone like Li Jun. Besides, Kyuri will go back to her time. It can't be stopped.

Corner of his lips curls down. ”You are protective of this girl. Why?”

She's a family member. Kwon Yoori might not know Kyuri well, but that girl is her niece. They are connected by blood. ”I must protect her.”

”Why?” He raises his brow.

”I met her family during exile. She ran away from to find me because she likes me.” Yoori makes up some story. Real Yu Chen must have met people during his exile. ”I promised that I will protect her.”

”I don't like her.” He frowns slightly. ”That makes me want to crush her.”

”She's just a girl.” Yoori purses her lips. If something happens to Kyuri, she won't be able to face her family in the afterlife. ”I will do anything if you stop this marriage. I will be the one who will marry her.”

He leans closer to General Yu. ”If you marry her, can that girl survive in the Yu household? You don't remember the things that happened to you after you came back from exile. She is likely to get poisoned on her wedding night.”

Yoori gulps. That's true that Kyuri isn't smart enough to survive in the Yu household. She, as a man, can't always protect her. Yu Chen's stepmother will do everything to hurt Kyuri because she hates Yu Chen. Yu Chen's father is not a nice person either. To be honest, she is alive because she is at the border.

”Li Jun has no family. Nobody cares about him. That girl will live longer if she is married to him.” He smiles when he sees her falling for his words. ”Li Jun will also protect her. You have my words. Think hard.”

***

”Li Jun, you said that you fell for me at first sight.” I scowl at him. ”Then, why did you point a sword at me when you saw me first?”