#crowncds

Jian was a proud man and capable of admitting to it as it was important to know your own shortcomings, so he could admit that having a broken engagement stung slightly - or not, because to be stung made it sound like he had an injury that he wished to retreat and lick, which wasn't the truth. It was more accurate to say he was stirred, an insect willing to travel miles in order to cause harm to the one that disturbed it's home. He held no particular fondness for Hedwig Carolina, hadn't before or after their betrothal, but there was still irritation that she would complain of their union, as if he wasn't a perfectly suitable match for a second princess.

"Ah, Princess, do be careful. There might be lingering coals." Jianyu advised, catching sight of the princess near the former stables. "Not all of our horses have been recovered, but I hope your family hasn't suffered too much of a loss." A lie, and he didn't care if it was another sibling or a horse this time. "You're looking well, despite all the hardships. They don't seem to have aged you at all." Not as if she needed help in that regard. Nearly three decades and still unwed, people would soon begin to whisper that she was old and barren, unusable.