The sun crept through the heavy curtains of Aurelia's chambers, its rays casting soft, golden streaks across the stone floor. The faint scent of lavender and rosewater filled the air as her maids busied themselves around her, preparing her for the wedding that would seal her fate. They hummed quietly, the sound of their soft voices a sharp contrast to the turmoil bubbling inside her. Aurelia lay still on her bed, staring up at the ceiling, her heart heavy with the knowledge of what awaited her beyond these walls. It was supposed to be a day of joy, of celebration—but to her, it felt like the calm before a storm.
Her stepmother's voice rang out from the hallway, her words dripping with mock sweetness. "Aurelia, it's time, darling. The preparations can't wait forever. You need to look your best for your wedding day."
Aurelia's stomach churned at the thought of the ceremony. There was no love, no connection, no hope in it. Only duty and tradition, a marriage arranged before her birth, forced upon her because of her lineage. She didn't even know the man she was supposed to marry. His face was a blur in her mind, a shadow of a stranger she had been told to accept, a pawn in her father's politics.
The maids continued their work, brushing her hair, fastening the delicate lace of her wedding gown, each movement more meticulous than the last. They were like well-trained birds, never questioning the order of things. But Aurelia, in her heart, questioned everything. The tears she had held back in the days leading to this moment were on the verge of spilling over, but she forced herself to keep them inside. There would be no more crying, no more weakness. She had made a choice, and tonight—tonight, everything would change.
As the last strands of her hair were arranged, she stared at her reflection in the mirror, her eyes hollow, her face pale. She barely recognized the woman looking back at her. The woman who would walk down the aisle and bind herself to a life she did not choose. The woman whose heart had already been claimed by someone else. Lucien.
The thought of him made her pulse quicken. The way he had stood by her, the way his presence had eased the weight of her world, the way his hands had held hers with a tenderness that defied his mission. She didn't know what it was about him, but she trusted him—trusted him more than anyone else in her life. He had become her ally, her anchor in a sea of lies. And tonight, he had promised her escape.
As if on cue, there was a soft knock on her door. Aurelia's breath hitched, her heart racing. It was him. She stood up quickly, brushing past her maids who exchanged curious glances as she crossed the room. She opened the door just enough to peer out, and there he was—Lucien, as always, cloaked in shadows but standing with the quiet strength she had come to rely on.
He gave her a nod, his eyes soft but determined. "Are you ready?" he asked, his voice low but firm.
Aurelia swallowed, her throat dry. "I really hope I can trust you, Lucien… we leave tonight, right?"
His gaze softened, and he took a step closer, his hand briefly brushing against hers. "I promised you, didn't I? No one will stop us."
Her heart fluttered in her chest. She had known from the moment she had met him that there was more to him than met the eye. He was her protector, her secret ally, the one person who had treated her as more than a pawn in her father's game. And now, he was her only hope of freedom.
"I know," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "But… it's just… so much. Everything I've known, everything I've been told, it's all a lie. I don't even know who I am anymore."
Lucien's expression softened further, and he reached out to touch her arm, his grip gentle but reassuring. "You're more than you think, Aurelia. This isn't the end—it's just the beginning."
Her eyes welled with tears, but she blinked them away, determined not to let him see the full weight of her despair. "I just want to be free," she whispered.
"You will be," Lucien promised, his voice steady. "We'll leave here, together. Just you and me."
Aurelia nodded, her breath hitching as she forced herself to steady her emotions. There would be time for tears later, but not now. Not tonight. Tonight, they were leaving everything behind—her family, her title, the kingdom that had never truly been hers.
The door behind her creaked open slightly, and Aurelia turned to see her stepmother standing in the doorway, a tight smile on her lips. "Aurelia, darling, we need to hurry. Your father is waiting. Don't keep the guests waiting."
Aurelia's stomach churned at the sight of her stepmother's forced cheer. She had never cared for Aurelia—had never seen her as anything more than a means to an end. And now, with the wedding just hours away, her smile felt like the grin of a predator preparing to strike.
"I'm not coming," Aurelia said softly, her voice surprisingly steady as she met her stepmother's gaze.
Her stepmother's smile faltered, and for a moment, Aurelia saw something cold in her eyes. "What do you mean? This is your wedding day, Aurelia. You can't just—"
"I mean," Aurelia cut her off, her voice firmer now, "I'm not going. I'm leaving."
The silence in the room stretched, heavy and thick. Her stepmother blinked, as though she hadn't heard her properly, and then laughed—an unpleasant, disbelieving sound. "Leaving? Where do you think you're going? You have no choice, girl. You are going to marry that king whether you like it or not."
"No," Aurelia said, her voice firm, unshaken. "I don't have to. Not anymore."
With that, she turned back to Lucien, whose gaze never wavered. "Let's go," she said simply.
Lucien stepped forward, his hand extending to her, his touch warm and reassuring. Aurelia took it without hesitation, stepping away from her stepmother's disbelieving stare.
The plan had been simple—get to her chambers unnoticed, gather what little she could carry, and slip away into the night. It was risky, more dangerous than anything she had ever done, but it was the only choice she had left.
Aurelia's stepmother stood in the doorway, rooted to the spot, her mouth agape. But before she could speak again, Lucien moved swiftly, closing the door between them and the world outside.
"You're sure about this?" he asked, his voice low, his gaze meeting hers.
Aurelia met his gaze, her heart pounding in her chest. She could feel the weight of everything bearing down on her, but in this moment, with his hand in hers, she knew there was no turning back.
"I've never been more sure of anything in my life," she said quietly.
With that, they moved toward the window, the night air cool against her skin as they climbed out into the darkness. Aurelia's heart raced as they descended the stone walls, her breath coming in quick, shallow gasps. Every step felt like a lifetime, every sound a threat. But Lucien was there, guiding her, keeping her close, making sure no one saw.
And when they finally reached the edge of the castle, the gates opened for them. They were free.
Aurelia took a deep breath, her chest swelling with the promise of what lay ahead. She had no idea where they would go, but she knew one thing: she would never go back to that gilded cage. Not now, not ever.
Together, they disappeared into the night, a new life beginning for them both—one filled with uncertainty, but also hope.