The next morning came with a pale gold light.
Adrian was sitting by himself in the room of the southern courtyard. This room was smaller and more private than the hall. It had bookshelves and a low table with two cushions and incense was burning from a bronze crane.
Today was going to be different. There would be no shows. Just words.. Eyes that could not hide what they really meant.
He picked up his cup calmly when the attendant said, " candidate: General Gu Han."
---
Gu Han
Gu Han walked in without waiting. He was wearing dark clothes but he still looked strong and sharp. He bowed,. It was not a soft bow like the ones people do at court. It was direct.
"Sit down " Adrian said.
Gu Han sat down.
For a moment they just looked at each other.
When Adrian looked closer he saw that Gu Han had skin on his hands and old scars on his wrist. This was a man who had been through a lot.
"Why do you want to marry me?" Adrian asked.
Gu Han looked him in the eye. "Because you are special."
"That is what the kingdom wants " Adrian said calmly. "I want to know why you want to."
Gu Han stopped for a moment.
"You are not weak " Gu Han said. "You stood up to ten men and made rules. You did not back down."
Adrian looked down a little. "And if I did?"
"I would take care of whoever scared you " Gu Han said. His words were simple and clear.
Adrian looked at him carefully. "You said yesterday you do not share what is yours."
Gu Han's jaw got a tighter. "That is right."
"You will have nine husbands " Adrian said.
"I will deal with it " Gu Han said evenly. "For you."
They were quiet for a moment.
Adrian leaned forward a little. ". If I choose someone else one night?"
For a second Gu Han's eyes looked dangerous.
"Then I will work harder to be the one you choose first " he said.
It was not about owning someone. It was about competing.
Adrian's lips curved up a little.
"That is interesting " he said quietly.
---
Lin Qiyue
The scholar came in next moving quietly and smoothly.
He poured tea for Adrian before sitting down. It was a thoughtful gesture.
"You seem tense today " Adrian said.
Lin Qiyue smiled softly. "Because today is about being honest."
"Then tell me " Adrian said. "If I become a problem would you still stand by me?"
" then " Lin Qiyue replied without waiting. "As a Rose-Bearer you will affect who succeeds to the throne, alliances and military balance. You will be a target."
Adrian's eyes got sharper. "And you?"
"I prefer to win without fighting " Lin Qiyue said softly. ". I am not afraid of blood."
Adrian tilted his head. "Do you want children?"
Lin Qiyue's eyes got warmer. "Only if you want them. Your body is not a place for politics."
Adrian did not look away.
" well " he said.
---
Zhao Ming
Zhao Ming came in with a smile, dressed but not too flashy.
"You look more scary when you are alone " he teased lightly.
Adrian did not react. "You are rich."
"It can be yours " Zhao Ming said.
"It would be mine anyway if I chose you " Adrian replied.
Zhao Ming laughed softly. "Fair enough."
Adrian put his hands together. "If I lost favor with the court would your merchant guild still support me?"
Zhao Ming leaned back a little. "My guild follows money."
"And I am worth it?"
"You are stability " Zhao Ming said. "Three or more powerful husbands tied to you? That is security."
Adrian nodded slowly. "What about you personally?"
Zhao Ming's playful face got a little softer. "You have been alone long."
Adrian was caught off guard a little.
"I do not feel sorry for you " Zhao Ming added quickly. "I just think someone should choose you for who you're."
Adrian's fingers got a little tighter around his sleeve.
"Be careful " he said quietly. "Feelings can be expensive."
Zhao Ming smiled. "I can afford it."
---
Shen Rui
The doctor came in quietly and calmly.
"Does the mark hurt?" Shen Rui asked away.
Adrian blinked once. "No."
"It might in the future " Shen Rui said softly. "People with the rose mark often feel more sensitive."
Adrian looked at him. "You care about my body."
"Yes " Shen Rui said.
"And my heart?"
Shen Rui stopped for a moment.
"I think they are connected " he said.
Adrian looked at him carefully. "If I never have children?"
"Then you are still valuable " Shen Rui said firmly. "You are not an animal."
Adrian was surprised by how firm Shen Rui was.
He nodded once.
---
Mo Yan
The assassin appeared out of nowhere.
He did not bow deeply a little.
"You like quiet " Adrian said.
"It says more than noise " Mo Yan replied quietly.
"Why marry me?"
"To stay close."
"For protection?"
"For a reason to be."
Adrian's eyes got a narrower. "You do not have a reason now?"
Mo Yan's lips curved up a little. "I was taught to kill. You are the thing that feels worth protecting."
Adrian was a little unsettled by how honest Mo Yan was.
"If I told you to kill one of my husbands?" Adrian asked calmly.
"I would not do it " Mo Yan replied without waiting.
Adrian nodded a little.
---
Liang Feng
The musician came in like a breeze.
"I am not as powerful as the others " he said softly.
Adrian looked at him. "Then why are you here?"
"Because even storms need quiet " Liang Feng said. His eyes were clear. "If you choose me I will not fight to be in charge. I will make peace."
Adrian's voice got a little softer. "And if peace never comes?"
"Then I will sit with you in the chaos " Liang Feng said.
The simplicity of what he said struck Adrian deeply.
---
Wei Jian
The judge came in with his back as a knife.
"You like order " Adrian said.
"Yes " Wei Jian replied.
" If I break it?"
Wei Jian did not wait. "Then I will correct you."
Adrian's lips curved up a little. "You would challenge me?"
"I would hold you responsible " Wei Jian said. "Not as a husband above you. As one beside you."
Adrian felt a spark of approval.
---
Tang Huo
Tang Huo came in with a grin.
"You look less scary up close " he teased.
"I am not trying to be scary " Adrian replied.
"Good " Tang Huo said cheerfully. "Life is already hard. I would rather laugh."
Adrian looked at him. ". When things get dark?"
Tang Huo's grin got a little smaller. "Then I fight.. I would rather see you smile."
Adrian felt something in his chest unexpectedly.
---
Su Cheng
The captain of the royal guard came in and kneeled formally.
"You serve the throne " Adrian said.
"I serve stability " Su Cheng replied.
" If I conflict with the throne?"
Su Cheng was quiet for a long time.
"Then I would hope you do not " he said finally.
Adrian appreciated his honesty.
---
Bai Xuan
Bai Xuan came in last his hair shining in the light.
"You are beautiful " Bai Xuan said softly looking at Adrian
Adrian did not flinch. "So are you."
Bai Xuan smiled a little.
"Are you afraid of being overshadowed?" he asked gently.
"No " Adrian said.
"Good " Bai Xuan replied. "Because I do not plan to dim my light for anyone."
Adrian felt something equal in what Bai Xuan said.
"Why marry me?" Adrian asked.
Bai Xuan's eyes got deeper. "Because for once I want someone who is not dazzled by me."
They were quiet, for a moment two people looking at each other.
---
When the last interview ended the room got quiet.
Adrian sat there for a time after the attendants left.
Ten men.
Ten strengths.
Ten possible storms.
He closed his eyes briefly.
In his life people admired him but kept their distance.
Here they came forward not not hesitant.
Not afraid of his beauty.
Not afraid of his power.
He touched the rose mark under his robe lightly.
This world wanted him to choose atleast three men or more.
For the first time the number did not feel like a burden.
It felt like a choice.
Adrian, who had once died alone on a cold street now held ten futures in his hands.