Voltaire's POV
"Enough. Go back and eat," I said coldly, each word sharp as steel. "I accept your apology. What else do you want, Prince Aurein?"
"General... forgive me. I—I can't stop myself anymore," he whispered.
And then I saw them—his trembling hands... already hovering dangerously close to my waist.
I knew exactly what he was about to do. And for a heartbeat—stars above forgive me—I almost let him.
But I couldn't.
I mustn't.
Not when everything would crumble the moment he touched me.
Not when one embrace could ruin him... and destroy me.
Before his fingers could graze me, I turned sharply, catching him mid-motion. My brows pulled into a harsh line, and I threw him a glare that I forced—forced to look disgusted.
Inside, everything was chaos.
Don't come closer, Aurein. Don't make this harder. Don't make me want something I cannot have!
"What are you doing?" I asked, my low voice laced with warning.
"I—I just wanted to hug you," he answered. When I met his gaze, concern flooded his eyes—pure, vulnerable, pleading.
Guilt twisted in my chest. I hated the way I was acting, hated that I had to wound him to protect us both. But if I let this go any further and someone saw...
"Aurein, the warriors already started eating," Rowan said suddenly.
Too late.
He was behind us—quiet, calculated, always arriving at the worst possible moment. That two-faced royal snake. He was plotting something... I could feel it in my bones.
Aurein and I both turned toward him.
His lips parted when he noticed Aurein's hands, still half-raised toward my waist. His eyes gleamed with something unspoken—something dangerous—but he hid it with an innocent smile.
Aurein instantly stepped back, pretending nothing had happened.
But the damage was done.
His face was blank, dazed—caught between confusion and shock. His hands rested stiffly at his sides, fingers curling inward as if unsure what they were supposed to do.
"The warriors started eating already," Rowan repeated.
I tore my gaze away from both of them and stared out at the lake—trying to compose myself, trying to resist the urge to break Rowan's jaw.
"King Lucen just arrived and ordered everyone to eat. I came to find you," Rowan added.
"O-Oh. I see. Thank you, Rowan," Aurein said, though tension laced his voice. He was clearly troubled.
"Go, Prince Aurein. Eat with them," I said, keeping my tone flat, unbothered.
"Let's go, Aurein. Just leave General Voltaire alone if he doesn't want to eat," Rowan said gently.
Aurein leaned closer to me, whispering, "I'll bring you some food. Just stay here, okay?"
I didn't respond.
I only sighed.
I wanted to say, Stop. Don't care too much about me. Don't treat me gently. Because if you do... one day I'll crave it so badly I won't know how to let go.
He began to walk away with Rowan—but someone else stepped into their path.
"Ah, the three of you are here," King Lucen said.
I immediately straightened, standing taller than before.
"King Lucen," I said respectfully.
He nodded once before turning fully to Aurein.
"The reason I came is to bring you back to the palace, Aurein," he said.
"Why?" Aurein asked, confused. "Is something wrong?"
"King Lexor and Princess Serena of the Grition Kingdom have arrived," he said.
"What? Why so soon? You told me two days ago that they would arrive on the fifth day—"
"No more questions," the King said firmly. "The earlier you meet Princess Serena, the better."
Then he gestured for Aurein to follow.
"Come. Let us go so you can meet your future queen."
Aurein froze, stunned. Of course he did. He had known this day would come, but not like this. Not now.
But royalty had no freedom to choose their timing.
This was for the best.
The kingdom needed stability.
He needed a queen.
And I...
I needed to remember my place, where I really belong. Not up there with the royalty like him, but down here on the ground, where the rest of us commoners should be.
"General Voltaire, you're coming with us, right?" Aurein asked, looking at me with those innocent eyes—eyes that had no idea how deeply they affected me.
Before I could answer, the king spoke.
"No. He will stay here to attend to his warriors. He does not need to join us. This meeting is for royalty only," the king said. Then he looked at me. "You may return to guarding Aurein after an hour or two."
"Understood, Your Majesty," I said, bowing.
Only then did the weight of his words strike me.
'Royalty only.'
I never belonged beside Aurein—not truly. Not in the way I selfishly wished I could be.
"Let's go. You will be dressed by the female servants first before meeting Princess Serena," King Lucen said. "The Queen will tour them around the palace to keep them busy. We mustn't waste time."
They began walking away.
But even as he walked, Aurein looked back at me.
Just once.
Just long enough for my chest to tighten.
I turned my back on him—coldly, deliberately—pretending I didn't care.
My heart felt like it cracked in the process.
I exhaled deeply.
Was this really the right thing to do?
Because if I kept pushing him away, he might one day stop talking to me altogether...and the thought terrified me more than any battlefield.
As complicated as it was, I didn't want to lose our connection. I wanted to stay near him—to talk, to argue, to tease him, to see him smile at me even when he pretended not to.
But the closer we grew, the deeper this dangerous thread between us pulled... and that was what frightened me most.
And seeing him like that, sulking and innocent like a little kid, it made me feel like I was the most cruel person on this kingdom, if not, the world.
"Should I... should I apologize to him?" I muttered to myself, staring up at the sky. "Why must I feel something like this? And why—for the love of the gods—must it be for a man? And worse... a prince?"
I clenched my fists. I have to do this!
"Damn it! What did you do to me, Aurein?"
* * *
Aurein's POV
I was in my chamber, standing in the center of the cool marble floor as two female servants moved around me with the quiet precision of moonlight. Their hands glided over fabrics and ornaments, lifting jewelry from the table with soft clinks, preparing me for my meeting with Princess Serena and King Lexor.
As they dressed me, every layer felt like a reminder of who I was expected to be.
They eased a formal royal tunic onto my shoulders—a garment far more elegant than anything I wore on ordinary days. It was tailored from midnight-blue silk, a fabric that swallowed the lantern light yet shimmered subtly with each shift of my breath, as though the cloth itself lived and breathed with me. It draped from my shoulders to my knees like flowing water, smooth and weightless, fitting close enough to shape my posture but never tight enough to restrain me.
Over my chest, the crest of Ardentia was embroidered in silver and soft gold threads, glinting like starlight. Along my sleeves, faint ombré moon patterns unfurled—almost like trails of smoke drifting across the fabric. It wasn't fierce like a warrior's attire, but it held its own quiet dignity, a gentle kind of strength.
They fastened a dark leather belt around my waist, its silver markings swirling like constellations. The ornate buckle mirrored the royal crest, cinching the tunic in a way that framed my form more sharply.
"Prince Aurein, I will fix your hair now," one of the servants said, and I let her guide my head gently.
For my lower attire, they dressed me in fitted white trousers with crisp lines that stayed impossibly clean despite the world's attempts to ruin them. My boots were dark leather, polished to a subtle sheen, reaching just above my ankles with a silver trim that completed the ensemble.
Then came the cloak.
A long, flowing mantle of frosted white fabric settled across my back like a second breath. Its silver-threaded border shimmered with each inhale, feather-light and soft as drifting moon mist. It didn't weigh me down—it made me feel as though I were gliding.
When I finally faced the mirror, I was... stunned.
I looked like a prince—elegant, refined, composed. But even with all of this, something felt incomplete, as though a part of me was missing.
A prince who must stand tall... even while his chest trembles beneath the fabric.
The door opened, and Rowan stepped inside. He wore formal attire as well—his in deep red hues that contrasted sharply with mine.
"Is that really you, Aurein?" he said, half-laughing. "Am I dreaming, or are you truly this handsome? Any girl who sees you will fall in love immediately."
"It's just me. You exaggerate too much," I said.
"No, I'm serious. You deserve all the praise," he said warmly. Then he turned to the servants. "Isn't he regal? So dignified he looks untouchable."
The servants giggled and nodded in agreement.
He approached and gently brushed aside a strand of my hair.
"When Princess Serena sees you, I'm certain she'll like you very much," he said with a soft smile.
"Have you seen her already?" I asked.
"I saw her briefly from afar, but I haven't spoken to her," he said. He sighed then—a heavy one, as though carrying something unspoken. "If you were a girl, you would be my princess. I'd gladly marry you."
One of the servants squealed before hitting the arm of the other playfully.
"Well, it's the truth. I want to be your prince, Aurein," Rowan said.
I could only scratch my head awkwardly.
I didn't feel anything from what he said—except maybe a slight discomfort. I'd always seen him as a younger brother, despite him now being taller and broader than I was.
But if General Voltaire had said the exact same words—and he already had, many times—I always reacted differently. My heart would race. My face would heat. His words always struck deeper.
That was the difference between them.
"I think you're ready," Rowan said. "Shall I accompany you to meet them, Your Highness?"
I nodded and smiled, though my chest felt heavy.
Right now, meeting Princess Serena wasn't what occupied my mind.
What consumed me was General Voltaire—the fact that I had overstepped earlier, that I had undermined his authority in front of his men, and that I needed to apologize. I needed him to know I didn't mean to disrespect him... or worsen whatever was already fragile between us.
"What are you thinking about, Aurein? You're zoning out. Are you nervous?" Rowan asked with a smirk.
"No," I sighed. "Let's go."
He stepped aside and gestured for me to walk ahead. I took the first steps out of my chamber, and he followed closely behind—and still, somewhere deep within me, I wished it was someone else walking there instead.
* * *
The doors of the throne hall swung open with a deep, echoing grandeur, and before me stood four figures framed by the golden light of the chandeliers—my father, my mother, Princess Serena, and King Lexor—waiting near the throne like the core of a constellation.
"Let's go, Aurein," Rowan said with a smile, and together we stepped onto the long crimson carpet that stretched toward them like a path of fate.
With each step, my heart paced faster.
As we approached, my eyes finally landed on Princess Serena—for the very first time in my life.
And gods... she was breathtaking.
Her beauty wasn't merely physical; it was crafted. The kind of beauty people spoke of in myths, the kind they compared to moonlight woven with divinity. This was the type of woman whose presence demanded reverence without uttering a single word.
Her hair was a cascade of platinum white silk, flowing past her waist in shimmering strands. Few people in the world were blessed with such a color—rare, ethereal, almost sacred. The elders always said that those born with white hair carried good fortune in their destiny.
Looking at her now, I thought... maybe they were right.
Her gown only magnified her aura—a soft, moonlit pink fabric that glimmered with her smallest breath. Silver embroidery traced crescent moons and lilies along its hem, symbols of her lineage, while the bodice shaped her with quiet refinement. Nothing about her appearance was excessive; she embodied elegance with every movement.
Her posture was perfect—chin lifted slightly, shoulders relaxed yet poised. She looked as though she'd been trained her entire life to be the ideal princess. Even her breathing felt deliberate, composed.
But her eyes...
Her eyes were pale violet, almost crystalline, and when they met mine, I felt exposed—like she could see through me entirely. They held warmth, yes, but also an unspoken depth. Perhaps secrets. Perhaps expectations. Perhaps pressure she learned to carry gracefully.
Standing before her, I felt suddenly aware of every detail of myself—my collar, my posture, the heat in my cheeks.
She was serenity. Radiance. Royalty personified.
And I...
I felt small.
When we finally stood inches apart, we met each other's gaze. No words at first—just a quiet exchange that lasted a breath longer than I expected.
I bowed politely.
"Princess Serena," I uttered.
She bowed in return. "Prince Aurein," she said, her voice soft and serene as flowing water.
I turned to her father. "King Lexor."
"It's nice to finally meet the crown prince of Ardentia," King Lexor said, his presence as commanding and intimidating as my father's—an aura befitting a king.
My father stepped forward with open warmth. "It's nice to see everybody here. Shall we proceed to the banquet hall so we may begin our meal?"
"Very well then!" King Lexor said enthusiastically. "I have been looking forward to the delicacies of your kingdom."
"I prepared the finest dishes for both of you," my father said, glancing at Princess Serena with pride, "as a gesture of welcome to my home... which will be yours as well."
"I am honored by your hospitality, King Lucen," Princess Serena said. Her movements, her tone, everything about her was soft—gentle, delicate, almost fragile.
And suddenly I wondered—
Am I truly fit to be her husband?
Her future king?
Because right now... I felt pressured.
As my parents and King Lexor began moving toward the banquet hall, I stepped forward to follow—only for Rowan's hand to grip my arm lightly.
"Hm?" I murmured in confusion.
He leaned close. "You have to offer to walk with the princess," he whispered.
"Oh—right! I almost forgot!" I panicked.
Princess Serena giggled softly.
"I'm sorry," I said, flustered. "All of this is still new to me."
"It's okay, Prince Aurein," she said kindly. "Shall we?"
I nodded and offered my hand.
She placed her hand gently atop mine, feather-light and tender as if she were made of petals. We began walking, Rowan trailing behind us.
Her palm was unbelievably soft—almost too soft. I felt like I was touching something that could crumble with the slightest pressure.
"Your hand is cold, Prince Aurein," she said lightly. "Are you nervous?"
"A little," I admitted.
"Don't be," she said. "I only noticed that your hands are very soft."
"I-Is that bad?" I asked.
"No, not at all. Just unusual," she said with a small smile.
After that... I didn't know what else to say. Every step felt stiff, my body locked in some awkward balance between royal grace and internal panic.
"Relax, Prince Aurein," Rowan said as he placed both hands on my shoulders.
Serena giggled before glancing at him.
"I believe you are Lord Rowan from the Southern Region of Ardentia?" she asked.
"Yes, my princess. I'm honored you know me," Rowan said with a polite smile. "Just call me Rowan, no need to address me formally. After all, we're practically the same age—I'm only a year younger."
"It's only right to know the nobles and royalties of the place I'll be staying in," she said sweetly. "I did my research. I didn't want to embarrass myself. Especially since I may be here for a long time."
"How long will you be staying?" I asked.
"Why? Do you want me to leave already?" she teased sweetly.
"N-no! I didn't mean it like that!" I sputtered, mortified.
She chuckled softly. "I know, don't worry. I'm not sure how long... but I assume I may be living here permanently. After all, I'm to become Ardentia's next queen."
"Right," I said simply, smiling as best I could.
But behind that smile...
Was a loneliness I didn't dare show.
Princess Serena was lovely—beautiful, refined, goddess-like. Any man would be lucky to marry her.
But she wasn't the one I wanted.
Because deep down, all I could think of...was General Voltaire.
His voice. His presence. His gaze.
The thought of a future—with him.
My feelings grew stronger by the day, refusing to fade no matter how much I tried to bury them.
"We're here," Rowan said, snapping me from my thoughts.
We reached the long banquet table, overflowing with meticulously arranged dishes fit for royalty.
I pulled out a seat for Princess Serena.
"Thank you, my prince," she said softly before sitting.
I circled to the opposite side and took my seat—Rowan on my right, my mother on my left. At the head of the table sat my father, with King Lexor seated proudly beside him.
The feast was breathtaking—layered platters, jeweled sauces, golden-roasted meats, pastries adorned with sugared petals. Everything gleamed under the chandelier light.
"You continue to impress me, King Lucen," King Lexor said, amused. "This banquet is truly extravagant."
"Of course," my father said, smiling. "It is the best way to welcome you."
My father lifted a glass of red wine from the table, the deep ruby liquid catching the glow of the chandeliers like a drop of crystallized flame.
"Let us toast," he said proudly, his voice filling the hall, "to the new beginning of our royal families—led by my son, Prince Aurein, and your daughter, Princess Serena." He smiled broadly. "A toast to their marriage!"
King Lexor raised his glass.
Princess Serena lifted hers gracefully.
My mother followed with an elegant smile.
Even Rowan joined them, eyes glinting with anticipation.
Everyone... except me. I remained still. My glass stayed on the table, untouched.
"Oh? Why are you not joining, Aurein? Come now, pick up your glass," my mother said gently.
I inhaled sharply and turned to my father.
"It's just..." I said. "Why does it feel like everything is already rushed?"
My father's expression hardened in an instant.
"Aurein, I did not appreciate what you just said," he answered, tone clipped and stern.
"No offense," I said quickly, turning to King Lexor and Princess Serena, "especially to both of you. But I want to get to know Princess Serena more first before accepting any marriage."
The truth was far uglier.
I was delaying everything. Avoiding everything.
I refused to be tied to someone I never intended to marry.
Silence fell like a stone.
From the corner of my eye, I saw my father's jaw tighten.
My mother gently clasped his hand beneath the table, trying to calm him without drawing attention.
King Lexor, still holding up his wine glass, seemed to contemplate my words with unreadable eyes.
Princess Serena remained composed—serene, dignified—but I wondered what feelings hid beneath her smiling face.
Then she spoke.
"May I say something?" she asked softly, capturing everyone's attention.
My heart drummed against my ribs. What would she say? Would she refuse me? Withdraw from the marriage entirely?
I hoped so. Gods, I hoped.
"I understand what Prince Aurein said," she continued, her voice clear, delicate yet steady. "And if any of you misunderstood his intentions, allow me to clarify them in a way easier for us all to grasp."
I stared down at my lap, embarrassed.
"Actually, he is right," she said. "We all know how arranged marriages affect the image and expectations of royalty. It is a tradition, yes, but Prince Aurein should not be blamed for speaking honestly. If he is not ready to accept the marriage, then we must respect that."
My breath caught.
"Perhaps it would be best if I also had time to know Prince Aurein," she added gently.
My eyes snapped toward her. She smiled—soft, reassuring—and somehow, guilt pricked my chest.
"We do not have to proceed immediately," she said. "There is no rush... is there?"
She turned to her father.
King Lexor blinked, unsure but accommodating. "If that is what you want, my dear princess."
Princess Serena looked back at my parents.
"Your Majesties, I can see that Prince Aurein is a man of principle. Someone who values feelings and trust above all else. He simply wishes to ensure that his future spouse is someone he can rely on. And I am the same. I wish to truly know the person I will marry."
Relief washed through me—though not fully.
This wasn't freedom, but it was time.
And time was enough.
"Very well, Princess Serena," my father said stiffly. "I hope you will not feel offended."
"Not at all. It is perfectly understandable," she said warmly. Her eloquence, her calmness—these were qualities I couldn't help but admire.
She truly wasn't bad.
But still... I felt nothing for her.
"So, will you still stay in Ardentia?" my mother asked cautiously.
"Of course! How else will I get to know Prince Aurein?" she said with a soft laugh.
"Oh, good. I prepared a chamber for you. Everything you may need has already been arranged," my mother said.
"Thank you, Queen Crysta. I am honored by your hospitality," Princess Serena replied with a kind smile.
"You turned out to be a fine, understanding lady," my mother said, then glanced at King Lexor. "You raised her well."
"Yes," King Lexor said proudly. "My princess is my treasure. I ensured she had everything she needed to grow into a noble woman worthy of admiration."
"Father, don't praise me too much," Princess Serena said softly, giggling.
My father lifted his glass again. "Well then, let this be a toast to whatever good comes our way!"
Everyone raised their glass again.
I hesitated... until Princess Serena met my gaze, smiling gently as if to say, You are not alone in this.
Only then did I lift my glass and join the toast.
A hollow sound of crystal meeting crystal echoed in the hall.
The banquet began soon after.
Everyone laughed, spoke freely, enjoyed the food—but I simply pushed mine around my plate. Appetite had escaped me completely.
"You alright, Aurein?" Rowan whispered.
"Yeah. Don't mind me. I just lost my appetite," I said quietly.
He smiled and patted my shoulder. "I'm here if you need someone to talk to."
"Thank you, Rowan," I said, though my eyes drifted downward again.
Because all I could think about...was General Voltaire.
Was he eating?
Was he bathing—calming his thoughts the way he always did?
Was he practicing swordsmanship?
Was he laughing with his warriors and being childish?
Was he... flirting with girls?
I swallowed.
I just wanted to see him.
Just one look—one moment—and my mind would finally settle.
"So, King Lexor, when will you return to Grition?" my father asked.
"Next week," King Lexor answered. "But my daughter will stay in Ardentia as long as she wishes. This kingdom is her home as well."
"I intend to invite you to an event soon," my father said. "We can discuss the details later."
As the kings conversed, my mother turned to Princess Serena.
"So, what do you enjoy doing, dear? I'd love to know more."
Princess Serena smiled. "Thank you for asking. I'm fond of the usual princess duties—cooking, flower arrangements, dancing. And I read often."
"Oh, then you and Aurein have much in common!" my mother said brightly.
Her eyes sparkled with interest. "Prince Aurein knows how to do those things as well?"
"Well," my mother said, "he wants to learn everything, so yes."
"That's wonderful," she said happily. "At least we'll have something to talk about."
Their conversation flowed easily—warm, pleasant, harmonious.
But I felt increasingly invisible.
They chatted and laughed, exchanging stories and expectations.
And I sat there, silent, fading deeper into the background—
my only anchor being Rowan, who glanced at me every so often to check if I was okay.
If he weren't there, I probably wouldn't have spoken at all.
* * *
When the meal finally ended, everyone rose from the table with satisfied smiles and full stomachs—everyone except me.
"Ah! That was the best food I've ever tasted!" King Lexor said, patting his belly.
"Well, that isn't all. Later, our dinner will be even more extravagant!" my father said cheerfully.
"I might leave Ardentia with twice my weight," King Lexor joked, and the two of them burst into hearty laughter.
My father gestured for him. "Come, let's walk. I want to discuss the event I've been planning." Then he turned to me. "Aurein, I'll leave you with Princess Serena. Please accompany her."
"Yes..." I said softly.
"While you two get to know each other, I will be in my room to rest. I feel a bit sleepy after eating too much," my mother said with a gentle smile.
I glanced at Rowan.
"You want me to stay with you?" he asked quietly.
"No, it's fine. You can go wherever you like. I'll talk with Princess Serena," I said.
He nodded, though I could see concern hiding behind his polite smile.
Soon, everyone left the hall—and it was just the two of us.
Princess Serena remained composed, eyes drifting around the space with quiet thoughtfulness.
"Um, Prince Aurein?" she asked.
"Yes?"
"Is there a place where we can stay for a while? Somewhere with fresh air? I'd like to relax. But... just here in the palace. I don't want to go outside yet."
"Of course. We have a balcony upstairs. I can take you there," I said.
"Okay! Let's go," she said, smiling sweetly.
After a few minutes of walking through lamplit corridors, we stepped onto the balcony—a wide terrace overlooking the palace grounds. From here, one could see the stone archway at the palace entrance, the gardens, and the moonlit paths winding through them.
A cool breeze swept across us.
It brushed against my skin like a soft embrace, quieting the noise in my mind for a moment.
Princess Serena walked forward until she stood near the railing, her back facing me. She exhaled slowly, as though relieved to be free of the banquet's suffocating air.
Then she turned—and the shift in her aura was so abrupt, it made me freeze.
Gone was the gentle smile. Gone was the soft, composed princess.
The woman who now faced me was entirely different.
Her chin lifted, eyes sharp, a hint of arrogance framing her expression. She crossed her arms with a confidence that cut through the space between us.
"Let's cut the act, shall we?" she said, tilting her head as one eyebrow rose.
"Princess Serena? What do you mean?" I asked, confused.
She sighed—long, tired, unimpressed.
"What you saw and heard from me earlier was an act. The sweet princess persona? That was for show," she said irritably. "I want you to know that I don't want this marriage either. I was forced because tradition demands it."
My eyes widened—but not from shock.
From relief.
I almost laughed.
"So, we can call this done then!" I said quickly, hopeful. "No need for marriage. We can just say we didn't work well together."
"No," she said flatly.
She walked past me, hair swaying like a curtain of white silk, and stood once more with her back to me.
"What do you mean, no?" I asked, my voice tightening.
She turned to me slowly.
"Because all I want," she said, gently touching her chest, "is the fame and the fortune. I, Princess Serena of Grition, will become the future Queen of Ardentia—the most powerful kingdom in the world."
My heart dropped.
"But... you just said you didn't want to marry me. And now you want to be queen? Isn't that... selfish and confusing?" I asked.
"No, it's not," she said, giving me a look of thinly veiled disgust. "Look, I'm doing this for you as well."
"For me? What good will this do for me?" I asked, baffled.
She smirked—slow, knowing, dangerous.
And in that moment...I realized the real Princess Serena had finally arrived.
"You see," she said, stepping closer as though explaining something painfully obvious to a child, "you will be forced to marry a princess sooner or later. It is tradition—a decree you are not meant to refuse. I'm sure you don't want your royal bloodline to end with you, right? So here I am, presenting myself to be your queen on paper. Someone who can smile, wave, and act perfectly while everything behind the scenes stays... convenient."
She flicked her long white hair over her shoulder as the afternoon light caught the silver glow in her strands.
"You won't have to deal with other princesses, so it makes life easier. And besides—" she cupped her hair with pride "—I'm no ordinary princess. Do you see this? You know what white hair represents. Destiny. Luck. Favor from the gods. And if you stand beside me, you'll share in that good fortune."
I couldn't utter any word. I was just speechless.
She smirked. "Many men pursue me, but I turned them all down. You are the prince of the strongest kingdom in the world, so I chose you. And we can simply make a deal—you and me—acting like true lovebirds. Doesn't that sound easier?"
"That's not how it works," I said firmly. "Marriage should be with someone you truly love."
She burst out laughing, clutching her stomach as though I had delivered the funniest joke she'd ever heard.
"That was both funny and pathetic," she said as she wiped a tear from laughing too hard.
I shook my head and turned away, walking toward the stone railing overlooking the palace grounds. I let the wind cool my flushed face—and then my breath hitched.
Because there he was.
General Voltaire.
Walking across the courtyard toward the palace doors, his broad shoulders illuminated by lantern light, his presence unmistakable even from afar.
It's like I'm here up above, trapped in this royalty madness, and he's down there, grounded, real, and unreachable.
My mind went blank. Completely.
I didn't even hear Serena anymore.
Until she suddenly grabbed my shoulders and shook me sharply.
"Hey! Are you even listening to what I said?" she said, annoyed.
"So—sorry... what was that?" I muttered.
She scoffed. "As I was saying, I am a girl with a hundred secrets. And one of them is that I am not your typical delicate princess who needs constant protection. The soft image is just a facade so people underestimate me. Even my father doesn't know the truth."
She raised her chin proudly.
"I have the heart of a warrior. I know how to fight. I know how to protect myself. I don't need a man to shield me—I need a man who can fight with me. But you..." She looked me up and down with a slow, unimpressed stare. "I don't even think you know how to fight. You don't exactly look like a future king."
"I'm trying," I said quickly. "I'm training hard!"
She chuckled, amused—and not kindly.
"So just agree to what I want. We become king and queen on paper. We pretend everything is fine. I get the fortune, the wealth, the image of being the most powerful queen... and you get to do whatever you want. I won't bother you."
"You... you won't care even if..." My voice trembled without permission. "Even if I'm... in love with someone?"
"Of course I don't care," she said. "Why would that affect me? You're not even my type."
She rolled her eyes.
"I want someone masculine. A warrior with a body worth admiring. Muscular, toned, powerful. I want someone—"
And that was when fate decided to play the cruelest joke of all.
Footsteps echoed outside the balcony.
A deep, familiar voice spoke.
"Prince Aurein..."
Princess Serena's eyes sparkled like she had found a rare treasure.
Her finger lifted slowly—
"I want someone like him," she said eagerly, pointing straight at General Voltaire who had stepped into the balcony—wind carrying his dark hair, his presence overwhelming as always.
My heart stopped.
No.
No. No. No!
Not him.
Not the one whose voice I memorized, whose presence calmed my soul, whose gaze made me lose every thought I had. And whose lips I have touched for the first time!
Princess Serena—you can have anything, anyone, any kingdom.
But not him.
Not my General Voltaire!
End of Chapter 16