Elena sat by the window all night, still staring out at the blank space outside, as the sky slowly grew lighter. She hadn't been able to sleep.
She thought about her mother, who had died when she was young, her father's stern expression from the night before, and also the king she was unexpectedly going to marry. She wondered why he would suddenly want a frail girl like her. She was just a nineteen-year-old, frail princess who had lived behind the huge palace walls of Aurelia all her life. She knew nothing about being a wife, and she would suddenly become the Queen of the great Ebonhart.
She pressed her palm to the cold glass, fogging it with her breath. Would he be the monster they claimed?
A soft knock pulled her back. Serah peeked in. "Morning, Your Highness. You need to get ready. Breakfast is in an hour." Elena forced a weak smile. "Morning, Serah. Yeah, I'll be down soon."
At breakfast, the long table was lined with gold dishes that no one touched. Her father, King Richard, sat at the head, his crown slightly tilted as if sleep had evaded him, too. Caspian, opposite Elena, glared at his breakfast like it had personally betrayed him.
King Richard cleared his throat.
"The Nightbane King has sent word. The wedding will be held here, in Aurelia. In two nights."
Elena's fork slipped from her fingers. It clattered against her plate, startling the silent servants.
Caspian's voice rose sharp and raw.
"Father, I understand where you're coming from, but this situation feels overwhelming. Is there really no alternative to this arrangement? It's hard to accept the idea of forcing her into a marriage with someone she barely knows. You've only had a brief glimpse of him yourself. Can we please consider a different approach?
Richard did not lift his eyes from his cup.
"He is to be your king as well, Caspian. Mind your tongue."
"Please, Father, allow me the chance to visit Ebonhart and have a heartfelt conversation with him. I'm certain he wouldn't wish for a naive girl as his bride either. After all, what value could such a match hold for him?"
"Enough!"
The word boomed through the hall like a slap. Caspian fell back into sullen silence, clenching his fist against the table so tightly that it became white. Elena forced herself to breathe evenly. In two nights, she would stand before the whole court and give herself to a man she had never seen.
She folded her trembling hands in her lap and whispered,
"As you wish, Father."
No one said a thing afterwards, and breakfast ended with the bitter taste of words unspoken.
The day of the wedding arrived, and the palace was filled with a sense of unease. All the palace maids were busy rushing through the corridors, setting up decorations for the ceremony. They hung white drapes and garlands of flowers along the walls and balconies, but it didn't seem to lift the gloomy atmosphere. The marble floors, usually gleaming, were covered in footprints and scraps of fabric. The air felt heavy with tension, and the staff moved about their tasks in hushed tones. The usual bustle and chatter were noticeably absent, replaced by an air of apprehension and worry about the future.
Inside Elena's chamber, Serah was styling her hair for the wedding. She carefully brushed out Elena's long, blonde locks and began to weave tiny crystal pins through the strands. Elena sat quietly with her eyes fixed on the floor as Serah worked, her hands moving gently as she secured each pin in place. The hair fell down Elena's back in soft waves, and Serah took her time to make sure every strand was perfectly in place. Despite her efforts, Elena's face looked pale and tense, and her eyes seemed distant as if her mind was elsewhere. Serah chatted softly to try to distract Elena from her worries.
"My lady… do you think he truly looks like the stories say? Horned, with eyes like burning coals?" she said, half-jokingly, half-curious.
Elena laughed softly, though it sounded like a stranger's laugh.
"I don't know, Serah. Never seen him," She said, a little bit uninterested.
Serah stopped what she was doing, holding a pin in her hand. "I hope he's not as bad as everyone says. Maybe he's a decent person."
Elena smiled slightly at Serah's words, looking at her reflection in the mirror.
"So do I."
As the sun began to set, the courtyard gates swung open, and everyone in attendance turned to see the infamous King of Ebonhart arrive. People craned their necks to get a glimpse of King Aiden Nightbane. He was the first to step down from his horse, and a hush fell over the crowd. He was noticeably tall, almost taller than everyone in the courtyard, with broad shoulders and a strong build. He wore a long, black cloak that seemed to blend with the shadows. His dark hair was short, just above his shoulders, and it seemed to absorb the light from the torches around him. The crowd's murmurs died down as they looked at his imposing figure. Some people looked dumbfounded, while others seemed intimidated. The atmosphere was tense.
But it was his face that caught everyone's attention. He had strong features, high cheekbones, and lips that were set in a neutral expression. His ocean-blue eyes were intense, almost piercing, and were framed by dark eyelashes. His face was perfect, with no scars.
Four men stood close to him, clearly his trusted guards. There was Lucan, a large and imposing figure with a scar above his eyebrow and a keen gaze. Next to him was Kael, lean and agile, with a sly grin that made some of the ladies look away nervously. Rowan stood silently with his hair tied back in a tight knot, exuding a sense of discipline. And then there was Silas, a younger man with striking white hair and dark eyes that seemed cold and intense. One would already know that these men were Aiden's loyal protectors at a glance, and they appeared just as formidable as he was.
Aiden moved forward, every step measured until he stood before King Richard. The old king bowed lower than he ever had before another man.
"Your Majesty. Welcome to Aurelia. It is an honour."