Read This Time, I Choose Marriage :: A Broken Blade

I, "Charlotte von Arcadia," was born to be a warrior.

The Arcadia Empire is famous for our sacred warrior blood. It is said that there has always been a true master of the blade born to every single generation. This time, it was me. Raised as a living weapon, I bled on the front lines and won a lot of wars. To the enemies who fled before me, people used to say she is the Emperor's blade. All my life I sacrificed everything for others my youth, my safety, my very humanity and in return, what I got was a sickening, brutal betrayal.

But I have returned from the dead. I won't choose the same path. I will neverlet her take her way again.

Leaving my training gear and heavy armor behind, I put on a silk royal gown and walk to the assembly. Every step down the long corridor echoes with a heavy, cold finality. The massive brass doors swing open, and I step into the grand hall. Dozens of eyes lock onto me, filled with expectation, but I keep my gaze fixed straight ahead. Stepping into the center of the room, I sink into a flawless, elegant curtsy before the throne.

"I greet you, Imperial Majesty. May your reign be eternal."

My voice is calm, but my heart hammers violently against my ribs. Sitting on the grand throne is my father, alive and well, his posture regal and his expression clear of the agonizing poison that claimed him in my past life

"Princess Charlotte," my father speaks, his deep voice echoing through the silent hall. "You get a marriage proposal from the Dawn Empire the very nation we are on the verge of war with. What do you think about it?"

The tension in the court becomes suffocating. Everyone's eyes are on me. The generals grin, fully expecting me to draw my sword and demand a bloody campaign, to declare that a warrior princess never bows down to an enemy.
I lower my gaze, letting a soft, fragile expression wash over my face.

"Your Majesty... we should accept it," I say clearly, my voice ringing across the silent hall. "All the time I have fought, I learned that war brings nothing but suffering. People suffer and die for no reason. In my opinion, if we can solve this dispute peacefully, we should accept it, and I agree to it. Everything for your majesty and this empire."
Everyone in the room suddenly gasps in surprise. The generals freeze in disbelief.

"But princess, you can..." a veteran general steps forward, his voice flushing with panic.

"Stop," my father interrupts, cutting through the rising uproar as a relieved, booming laugh breaks from his lips. "Hahaha! Let's solve this through marriage, as you have said, princess."

The ministers look at one another in shock, but I am not finished. To ensure the Empress drops her guard completely in her private quarters, believing she has won, I must deliver the final, crushing blow.

"Father," I say softly, looking directly into his worried eyes. "I have something to tell you... I'm unable to hold my sword anymore."
The entire court becomes deathly silent. You could hear a pin drop on the cold marble floor.

"What do you mean, princess, by it?" the Prime Minister asks, his voice paralyzed.

The Emperor's eyes fill with a profound, terrifying worry. He leans forward from his throne. "Charlotte... what are you saying

I let my hands tremble slightly in front of them all. "In the last war, seeing innocent people die... I lose my will to swing it.

A warrior losing their will? The ultimate weapon of Arcadia is broken?

Everywhere around me, the nobles start muttering in shock and confusion, whispering furiously behind their silk fans. They look at me with pity, completely believing the fierce Emperor's blade has been reduced to a fragile, broken girl. I listen to their whispers, keeping my gaze lowered to hide the cold, vicious smile spreading across my face.

Let them think I am weak. Let them think I am defeated. I will never choose the same path.

The departure day arrives, casting a gray shadow over the palace.
Before I leave my homeland, I stand in the middle of the dusty, wind-swept training ground one last time. Beside me, Calix grips the hilt of his sword so hard his knuckles turn white, his face twisted in absolute confusion and burning frustration.

"Commander... why do you accept the marriage proposal?" Calix asks, his voice cracking with low, tight emotion. "You belong on the battlefield, not shipped off to an enemy empire!"

"Calix, I have my plans," I reply calmly, looking out over the empty field where I used to bleed and train. "But I have a request."

Calix instantly straightens his posture, slamming his fist against his chest in a fierce, trembling salute. "Commander, you just need to say. Give me command. I will follow you to hell."
I look him dead in the eye, my voice dropping to a serious, razor-sharp whisper. "After me, take care of my brother with your life. Guard him from the shadows. I'm going to make him the next emperor."

Calix's eyes widen in sheer shock, but his loyalty doesn't waver.

"And I also want you to keep an eye on the Empress's activities," I continue, my voice dropping to an icy temperature. "Whom she meets, what she does, and who enters her palace. Give me a report of everything."

"As you command," Calix says, his voice thick with unwavering devotion.

I take a deep, stabilizing breath and turn toward the ranks of soldiers watching us. "Now I have to go. From now on, I'm not your Commander. Everyone, gather around! As I'm leaving, the commander's seat would be vacant."

The soldiers quickly assemble, their faces grim, solemn, and heavy with grief as they prepare to lose their leader. I turn back to my vice-captain and place a hand on his shoulder.
"Calix, I appointed you as commander."

Meanwhile, far across the border, deep within the territory of the Dawn Empire.

Inside the grand, intimidating imperial palace, an aide bows deeply. "Your Highness... the princess is going to depart today, and she will reach our borders in a week. To be honest, I wasn't expecting the fierce Princess of Arcadia to accept the marriage proposal so easily. We expected war."

He doesn't reply.

He stands alone in the center of a massive, breathtaking garden that is completely filled with nothing but vibrant, blood-red flowers. The crimson petals sway gently in the breeze, looking like a literal sea of blood under the sky.

He stares down at the flowers, a dark, intense emotion—a mixture of suffocating longing and dangerous obsession swirling in his eyes.
"Finally..." the man murmurs, his deep voice carrying a long-awaited, heavy weight that shivers through the garden. "She will be mine."

He reaches down, his gloved fingers gently touching a blood-red flower, as if caressing a fragile treasure.

"This garden is waiting for you, Charlotte."