We spent the entire evening together—talking, laughing, dreaming. Everything felt perfect… until Anastasia saw us.
I felt her jealousy from afar. A chill ran down my spine, and deep inside I sensed that something bad was about to happen.
"Sebastian, my love, what are you doing here?" she said sweetly.
My heart stopped.
My love?
Confusion flooded my mind.
Before I could even react, Sebastian stood up. He leaned close and whispered into my ear,
"I'll explain everything to you."
And then he ran toward Anastasia.
He left me there—alone, confused, and burning with anger.
I couldn't explain the rage inside me. It felt like fire was tearing through my veins.
With nowhere else to go, I returned to Emily and told her everything.
"What happened?" she asked immediately.
"We were talking. I told him I'd give him a chance… and then Anastasia appeared. He said he'd explain everything and just left me there!"
"He might have a good reason," Emily said gently.
"What reason could possibly justify that?" I snapped. "I don't understand!"
"Wait a little," she said calmly. "Tomorrow he'll come for sure. Then you'll understand why he left."
"I hope he has a very good reason," I said bitterly. "Because if he doesn't—it's over."
"He will," Emily reassured me. "Don't worry."
"I'm too angry to think. I'm going to sleep. We'll see what happens tomorrow."
"Good night, Elizabeth," Emily said softly.
The next morning, Emily burst into my room.
"Elizabeth! Wake up—bad news!"
"What? What happened?" I asked, sitting up in panic.
"Sebastian is getting married—to Anastasia!"
"…What?"
"I don't understand," I whispered. "What is going on?"
"The royal palace just announced it," Emily said. "The Crown Prince is marrying Anastasia. The wedding is in a week."
I felt numb.
"I have no words anymore," I said quietly.
"Me neither," Emily whispered. "I'm too shocked to even speak."
"Let's pretend nothing happened," I said after a moment. "No one knows about me and Sebastian anyway."
"For now," Emily agreed, worry filling her voice.
A week passed.
No message. No explanation. Nothing.
Then the day of the wedding arrived.
Of course, the Frost family was invited, and Emily took me with her as her attendant.
The moment we arrived, all eyes turned toward us. People whispered, wondering who I was.
We approached the royal family and offered our congratulations.
When Sebastian saw me—
He froze.
The ceremony began.
"You, Anastasia," the priest said, "will you marry Sebastian and take him as your husband?"
"Yes," Anastasia answered confidently.
"And you, Sebastian," the priest continued, "will you marry Anastasia and take her as your wife?"
Sebastian's eyes never left mine.
"No," he said clearly.
The entire hall froze.
"What is happening?" people whispered in shock.
Suddenly, Sebastian stepped forward, grabbed my hand, and pulled me to his side.
"She is my mate," he declared. "I will marry no one but her."
My heart was pounding.
"What is going on?" I whispered to him.
"They are forcing me into a marriage with someone I don't love," he said urgently.
"Then why didn't you tell me any of this?" I asked, my voice shaking.
"They were watching me closely," he said. "I was afraid they would hurt you."
I looked at him, anger and emotion mixing inside me.
"Do you really think anyone could hurt me?"
"I don't know," Sebastian admitted, gazing at me as if I were the most precious thing in his world.