《《蛮族之花》 Flower of Wilderness》Yina_bubbles

19、第 19 章 Subti

　　Chapter 19 — The Substitute Bride

　　The wedding date drew closer. With every passing day, the Khan's household became busier. The bridal clothes were nearly finished, horses had been prepared for the journey, and messengers came and went between Younis and the Kharun territory. Suyuan knew she had very little time left and that evening, she asked Yula to meet her alone. Yula arrived carrying a small lantern. She looked surprised to see Suyuan waiting in the empty room.
　　“You asked for me?”
　　“Yes. Sit.”
　　Yula sat across from her , for a moment, neither spoke. Then Suyuan poured her a cup of tea.
　　“I want you to leave Younis.”
　　Yula blinked.
　　“What?”
　　Suyuan look directly at her.
　　“I want you to take my place.”
　　The cup in Yula's hands stopped halfway to her lips.
　　Yula stared at her as though she had misunderstood.
　　“Sister, I can't do that.”
　　“You can.”
　　“No.” Yula immediately shook her head. “They chose you , Khasar chose you.”
　　Suyuan remain calm. “That is exactly why this can work.”
　　Yula's expression became uneasy.
　　“You're asking me to pretend to be you? “Why?”
　　Suyuan was silent for a moment. Then she said, “Because I don't believe I will have a future there.” Yula's face changed, Suyuan continued before she could interrupt.“After Mother died, nothing is holding me back anymore. The Khan never cared about her. He certainly won't care what happens to me.”
　　“But you're going to marry Khasar.”
　　“Yes.”
　　“Then you could leave.”
　　Suyuan gave a faint smile.
　　“Could I?”
　　Yula had no answer.
　　“Khasar is kind,” Suyuan said. “I know that. He has treated me with more kindness than most people.” She looked down at her hands. “But kindness doesn't change what I have to do.” Yula frowned. “What are you planning?” Suyuan did not answer. She only looked toward the window, where the dark outline of the Khan's palace could be seen beyond the courtyard. “There are things that will happen after the convoy leaves,” she said quietly. “Things I cannot stop anymore.”
　　Yula's face pale.
　　“Sister…”
　　“I don't want you caught in them.”
　　Suyuan reached across the table and took her hand. “If you stay, you will remain here. Your marriage will be decided by someone else eventually. Perhaps another tribe. Perhaps someone you don't know. And you will spend your whole life being told where to go and whom to marry.”
　　Yula looked down.
　　Suyuan voice softened.
　　“But if you take my place, you leave.”
　　“He doesn't know.” “He doesn't need to know immediately.”
　　Yula looked frightened. Suyuan squeezed her hand gently. “Khasar is not cruel. I believe he will treat you well. And once you leave Younis, you will have a chance to live somewhere that isn't controlled by the Khan's household.”
　　Yula was silent for a long time and she understood what Suyuan was offering. Freedom not the kind that came from winning.The kind that came from finally being far enough away that no one could decide your life for you.
　　“But what about you?”
　　Suyuan smiled faintly.
　　“I'll stay.”
　　Suyuan's smile disappeared.
　　“Because there is something I must finish.”
　　Yula looked into her eyes. For the first time, she realized that Suyuan wasn't asking her to steal her future. She was giving Yula hers.
　　“You're really not coming with us?”
　　Suyuan didn't answer , she didn't need to. Yula's eyes slowly filled with tears. “You're terrible,” she whispered. Suyuan almost laughed. “I know.”
　　“You're asking me to leave you behind.”
　　“Yes.”
　　“I don't want to.”
　　“I know.”
　　Yula wiped her eyes.
　　“And if I refuse?”
　　Suyuan looked at her gently.
　　“Then I'll find another way.”
　　That made Yula laugh through her tears.
　　“You really are stubborn.”
　　“So are you.”
　　They sat together in silence.
　　Finally, Yula nodded.
　　“I'll do it.”
　　Suyuan's eyes softened. “Thank you.”
　　“But you owe me one thing.”
　　“What?”
　　“You have to promise that if there is any chance for you to leave safely, you will take it.”
　　Suyuan looked at her for a long moment, then she nodded.
　　“I promise.”
　　It's another lie but Yula didn't know that.
　　And for the first time, Suyuan had someone willing to walk away from Younis because she believed her sister deserved the chance to live . The wedding preparations continued outside.No one knew that the bride had already changed. Only the name remained the same

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