"No. Not in a million years could she ever marry you."
That single line felt like a direct slap across my face.
Before I could even process it, Rayan shot up from his seat. "But—"
Mrs. Margarette cut him off sharply. "We've discussed this countless times, Rayan. No further arguments."
"Why?" Rayan demanded, his voice tight with frustration. "Because she isn't a royal?"
Mrs. Margarette's expression hardened. "Not just that. She isn't even from a respectable family or place. Do you realize what the entire kingdom would say about your marriage?"
Rayan snapped back, his voice rising. "So what if they talk? It's my marriage, not theirs! Let them gossip. In two or three days, they'll move on."
Mrs. Margarette's tone turned cold and final. "That's enough. This girl will leave tomorrow morning. I will not discuss this any further."
Anger blazed in Rayan's eyes. "If I don't marry her, Mother, then remember this—I won't marry anyone else!"
Mrs. Margarette stared at him, her voice trembling with both anger and exhaustion. "Why are you so stubborn, Rayan? Can't you think about your father? Why must you make things so difficult for him?"
I just sat there silently, feeling like I was the culprit behind all this chaos… like everything was my fault.
But then, suddenly, a voice broke through the tension—a voice in my favor.
It was Rayan's father. In a weak, almost fragile tone, he said,
"You can marry her."
The entire room fell silent. Everyone was stunned—even the servants froze where they stood. All eyes shifted instantly to Rayan's father.
Mrs. Margarette opened her mouth to protest, but before she could utter a word, he spoke again, his voice firm despite its weakness.
"The condition of the kingdom and the throne is still not fully resolved," he said slowly. "It would be wiser to introduce the new king and queen as early as possible. And besides…" He glanced at Rayan. "I know you won't marry anyone else in the near future. So… it's fine. You can marry her."
Mrs. Margarette's eyes widened in shock at his words.
She looked ready to contradict him, but he raised a hand ever so slightly, silently stopping her.
I just sat there, stunned. So… that's it? No extra drama? Nothing more? I could marry him… just like that? It felt strange—too unusual for me to believe.
Dinner continued, though I struggled to eat properly, fumbling awkwardly with the knife and fork, trying to follow the proper etiquette.
Afterwards, Rayan's father turned to him and said quietly, "Let's go. There's an urgent meeting—we'll discuss your marriage there."
With that, the two of them left the room, leaving me alone at the table with Mrs. Margarette. The silence between us felt heavy.
When she finally rose and walked away, I, too, quietly made my way back to my room.
I walked into my room and found Alice there, the same servant who had guided me to the dinner table earlier since she wasn't permitted inside.
The moment she saw me, she bowed politely. "How was the dinner, ma'am?"
With a heavy, tired voice, I replied, "It was… okay."
I hesitated for a moment before continuing, "I think… I'm going to marry Rayan soon."
Alice froze. Her expression was a mixture of shock and disbelief—far more intense than even Mrs. Margarette's reaction earlier.
"Ma'am… are you saying you're going to be the queen?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
"Yes," I answered awkwardly, still trying to process it myself.
Alice's cheeks flushed as she stumbled over her words. "Th-then… I'll be serving the future queen! What an… what an honor for me!"
I smiled faintly at her enthusiasm and said softly, "Alice, could you do me a favor? Please go near Rayan's room and let me know as soon as he returns."
She bowed deeply. "Yes, ma'am."
She bent so low before leaving that I couldn't even see her face.
After Alice left, I finally took a closer look around my room.
Of course, it was far too huge for just one person. It felt like I could create separate rooms within this single space. The marble floors gleamed under the soft lights, so polished that they almost reflected my face.
I walked over to the drawers and opened one—it was filled with jewelry, glittering under the golden glow of the lamps. When I opened the closet, I was stunned to see rows of dresses made from the finest fabrics, each one seeming to compete with the next in beauty and elegance.
Then my eyes fell on the bed. It was enormous—fit for royalty. When I lay down on it, I literally sank into the mattress. It was so soft it felt like melting into a cloud.
What an amazing place, I thought to myself, still overwhelmed by the sheer luxury around me.
Curiosity took over, and I began exploring every tiny detail of the room, as if I were a detective uncovering hidden secrets.
I was lost in my discoveries until I heard a soft knock on the door.
It was Alice. "Ma'am," she said gently, "his majesty is back in his room."
I stepped out of my room and asked Alice to guide me to Rayan's room, and she did so quietly.
Taking a deep breath, I entered his room. His back was facing the door, and he seemed lost in thought.
"Who's there?" he asked in a cold tone without turning around.
"It's me," I replied softly.
The moment he heard my voice, his entire body language shifted. He turned around with a warm smile, his tone instantly melting into sweetness.
"You're finally here," he said.
"Yup," I sighed, stepping closer. "I'm here physically… but not mentally."
Rayan chuckled. "And why is that?"
"Well, everything is happening so fast," I confessed, shaking my head. "I can't process any of it!"
He smirked knowingly. "Well, you better prepare yourself… because things are about to happen even faster."
I blinked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"
He paused for a moment, then suddenly shouted,
"Our marriage!!"
Before I could react, he rushed forward and hugged me tightly.
I hugged him back, my lips curling into an excited smile. "When?" I asked breathlessly.
"The first day of the following month," he said softly, pulling back just enough to look at me. "That means… only ten days are left until our wedding."
I froze. "What?!"
Rayan frowned slightly. "What's wrong? Aren't you happy?"
"Of course I am," I said quickly. "But… look at me! How can someone like me be called a queen?" I made a deliberately funny face, and he burst into laughter.
"Well, you don't know it yet," he said, his voice calm and reassuring, "but I think you'll make an incredible queen. You have the qualities that truly matter."
I tilted my head, puzzled. "Qualities? Like what?"
"Not things like posture, etiquette, or softness," he explained gently. "Those don't make a real queen. You… you have something more than that. I don't even know how to explain it. I just feel it. And someday, you'll realize it too."
We talked for a little while longer, our words softer now, comfortable and warm. Eventually, I left his room and returned to mine.
The moment I lay on the bed, exhaustion washed over me. The overwhelming events of the day caught up, and before I knew it, I drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.