It turned out Violet had angered the regent, a man with absolute power. He had requested an imperial decree to take her as his concubine.
I asked, "So, why did you call me here?"
A trace of hesitation flashed across my mother's face before she braced herself and said, "I want you to marry the Regent in place of Violet!"
The thunder outside roared. I looked up and stared at my mother in disbelief.
She wrung her hands. "I know this request is excessive, but everyone knows how violent the regent is! Your cousin is too weak to endure it.
"Annie, don't be afraid. You are my daughter. I wouldn't harm you! I just want you to marry him temporarily. When your uncle returns, I'll ask him to get a decree of divorce."
She clutched my hand tightly, her sharp nails digging into my skin. I looked at her and said sadly, "And if my uncle can't do it? If… If I die before the decree comes? Isn't my chastity worth anything? Isn't my life worth anything?"
...
These days, my illness had worsened. I coughed through the nights and couldn't eat, growing increasingly frail and looking haggard. My mother, staring at my pale face in shock, showed a rare moment of hesitation and said, "Are you still not well? You…"