The morning sun cast a golden hue over the palace grounds, yet Arianne felt no warmth from it. The weight of her impending engagement announcement loomed over her, suffocating in its inevitability. Dressed in an embroidered gown fit for a princess, she stood by her window, watching as the palace staff bustled about, preparing for the grand banquet.
Her heart pounded as she replayed her midnight encounter with Rian. His words echoed in her mind. *Then I will fight for you, Arianne. I will fight for us.*
Could they truly defy the king's will? Could love be stronger than duty?
A soft knock pulled her from her thoughts. "Come in," she said, turning to see Kael enter, his expression unreadable.
"You don't have much time," he said. "The banquet begins soon."
Arianne sighed. "And I am expected to stand before the entire court and accept my fate."
Kael crossed his arms. "Or you could do something about it."
Her gaze snapped to him. "And risk everything?"
Kael's lips curled into a smirk. "Since when have you ever been afraid of risk?"
---
### **An Unexpected Proposal**
The banquet hall shimmered with candlelight, a grand display of wealth and power. Nobles gathered in clusters, murmuring in anticipation. At the center of it all stood the king, his presence commanding. Beside him was Rian, clad in his ceremonial armor, his expression carefully guarded.
Arianne stepped forward, her heartbeat hammering in her chest. She searched Rian's face, hoping to find reassurance. He met her gaze briefly before looking away, his jaw tightening. Was he struggling with this as much as she was?
The king raised his goblet. "Tonight, we celebrate the unity of our kingdom. And what better way to strengthen our future than with the joining of two loyal hearts?"
Arianne swallowed hard. This was it. Her father was about to announce her engagement to Rian before the entire court.
"I hereby decree—"
A loud crash interrupted the king's words as the grand doors burst open. Gasps rippled through the hall as a cloaked figure strode in, his steps unhurried, his confidence unwavering.
The figure pulled back his hood, revealing a man with piercing eyes and an air of authority.
Arianne's breath caught. "Eldric?"
Her eldest brother had been gone for years, presumed lost in a distant war. But now, here he stood, alive, and very much aware of the chaos his arrival had caused.
The king's expression darkened. "You dare interrupt this sacred event?"
Eldric smirked. "Oh, I believe what I have to say is far more important than a forced engagement."
Rian stiffened beside Arianne. She could feel the tension radiating off him, his hands clenching into fists.
"What do you mean?" the king demanded.
Eldric's gaze swept across the room, finally settling on Arianne. "I have returned to claim what is rightfully mine."
The hall fell silent.
---
### **A Kingdom in Turmoil**
Eldric's words sent ripples of unease through the gathered nobles. Murmurs broke out, speculation running wild.
Arianne felt her father's gaze boring into her, but she refused to cower. She stepped forward. "Brother, what do you mean by this?"
Eldric smiled, his eyes softening only slightly as he regarded her. "The throne, Arianne. It was never meant to be contested. I am the rightful heir."
The king's fist slammed against the armrest of his throne. "You forfeited that right when you left."
Eldric's smirk didn't waver. "I was sent away, Father. And now I have returned—with proof that I was never meant to be exiled in the first place."
The tension in the room was suffocating. Arianne turned to Rian, seeking guidance. His expression was unreadable, but she could see the conflict in his eyes.
The king's voice cut through the silence. "Your proof better be worth the air you waste."
Eldric reached into his cloak and pulled out a worn parchment, sealed with an unfamiliar crest. He handed it to one of the advisors, who unrolled it and read aloud.
Arianne barely heard the words, but the weight of them settled heavily in the air.
The document declared Eldric's banishment illegitimate, revealing that his exile had been orchestrated by members of the court who had sought to weaken the royal bloodline. The conspiracy ran deeper than anyone had imagined.
Arianne's hands shook. If this was true, it meant her father had been deceived. It also meant the battle for the throne was far from over.
The king's expression darkened further. "Lies. Fabrications."
Eldric met his father's gaze evenly. "Then prove me wrong."
The room fell into stunned silence. The nobles waited, watching for the king's response.
Arianne knew what came next would change everything.
---
### **The Hidden Truths**
Arianne turned to Kael, whose usual smirk had disappeared. "You knew about this, didn't you?" she whispered.
Kael hesitated, then nodded. "I suspected. There were always whispers."
Her stomach churned. If this was true, then her entire understanding of her family's history had been built on lies. What else had been hidden from her?
Eldric addressed the court. "You have all served this kingdom faithfully, but do not let blind loyalty shackle you. The truth must be acknowledged."
The nobles exchanged nervous glances. Some looked to the king, while others murmured amongst themselves. The stability of the realm had been shaken in an instant.
Rian finally spoke, his voice calm but firm. "If what Eldric says is true, then the kingdom must seek justice. But if this is merely an attempt to seize power, it will not go unchallenged."
Eldric turned to Rian, studying him carefully. "You're the man my sister is to marry."
Rian nodded. "I am."
Eldric's expression was unreadable. "Then tell me, General—will you stand for the truth, no matter where it leads?"
Rian met his gaze without hesitation. "I will."
Arianne's heart pounded. Everything she had ever known was about to be rewritten. And in that moment, she realized—this was only the beginning.