Taking by Force 1

I was the prime minister's childhood sweetheart, raised in his household. He always said he'd marry me when I came of age.

But the heir to the throne only had to glance at me once at a palace banquet before showing up at the prime minister's residence the next day with an imperial decree.

He pinched my chin and smiled. "What's so great about following that good-for-nothing?"

Later, the prime minister knelt in the snowy night and begged him to spare me.

The heir slipped a hand warmer into my hands and whispered gently, "See? He can't even protect himself."

Open ending

Core theme: Keep trying