Elyasan POV
"Quickly."
The young maid pulls me gently around the corner before another servant walking through the corridor can notice me properly.
My heart is still racing.
Gods.
I cannot believe I ran from Kaevryn like that.
The memory alone makes heat rise straight into my face again.
"What happened to you?" the maid whispers while trying—and failing—not to smile slightly. "You look terrified."
"I am terrified."
That only makes her smile widen briefly.
"You came out of the Crown Prince's chambers alive. I would say you are doing quite well."
I stare at her in horror.
She laughs softly.
"Relax. I will not gossip."
Easy for her to say.
I tighten the large blanket around my shoulders and hurry after her through the quieter servant hallways.
The palace is already awake now.
Servants move everywhere preparing for the day while guards patrol the halls with sharp attention. I keep my head lowered the entire time, praying no one notices where I came from.
Especially Seraphine.
The maid beside me finally slows outside a familiar door.
"My Lady," she says softly.
I blink at the title.
No one has ever called me that without fear in their voice before.
"Thank you," I murmur quietly.
She gives a small bow before leaving down the corridor.
I exhale deeply before stepping into my chambers.
And immediately stop walking.
Lady Lysandra is already inside.
Waiting.
Several dresses have been laid carefully across the bed while trays of jewelry, ribbons, perfumes, and scrolls cover nearly every surface in the room.
My stomach sinks instantly.
Too much preparation.
Too much activity.
Something is wrong.
Lysandra looks up from the scroll in her hand the moment I enter.
"There you are."
I lower my gaze quickly.
"My apologies."
Her sharp eyes narrow slightly.
"You fled the Crown Prince's chambers barefoot."
Heat floods my face instantly.
"I panicked."
"Yes," she says dryly. "That was very obvious."
I say nothing.
Because there is truly nothing to defend there.
Lysandra sighs before setting the scroll aside.
"Come. Sit."
Slowly, I obey.
The older woman studies me quietly for a moment before speaking again.
"The wedding date has changed."
My chest tightens immediately.
"What?"
"It has been moved forward."
Forward?
Why?
"When?" I ask softly.
Lysandra hesitates only briefly.
"The ceremony will take place the day after tomorrow."
The room suddenly feels too small.
Too warm.
Too fast.
"The day after tomorrow?" I repeat weakly.
Lysandra nods calmly.
"The King believes it is safer this way."
Safer.
Meaning the palace fears me now.
Meaning the rumors have already spread farther than I imagined.
A strange heaviness settles inside my chest.
Too soon.
This is happening too soon.
"I am not ready," I whisper before I can stop myself.
Lysandra's expression softens slightly.
"No bride ever truly is."
"No." I shake my head quickly. "You do not understand."
My hands tighten against the fabric of the blanket still wrapped around me.
"I was never supposed to become this."
The words leave me more broken than intended.
Lysandra remains silent.
Listening.
"I was raised to become a priestess," I continue quietly. "Someone who serves the heavens. Someone who helps guide clans with the gifts the gods left behind."
I swallow painfully.
"My life was already decided."
Cold temples.
Sacred rituals.
A quiet existence devoted to controlling the power inside me.
Not this.
Never this.
"I do not know how to be a wife," I admit softly.
The confession hurts more than expected.
"I do not know how to become a Crown Princess. I do not know these people. I barely understand this kingdom."
And Kaevryn…
Gods.
I do not understand him either.
Lysandra watches me carefully before finally speaking.
"You believe your old life would have been easier?"
"Yes."
"No," she says gently. "Only smaller."
I blink slightly.
The older woman rises slowly from her chair and walks toward the window.
"The heavens rarely bless people for simple lives, Elyasan."
A bitter laugh almost escapes me.
"Blessing," I whisper quietly. "That is not what the priests called it."
Lysandra's expression darkens faintly.
"Priests fear what they cannot control."
Silence settles heavily between us.
Outside, sunlight spills across the palace gardens peacefully—as though my world is not collapsing quietly around me.
"The day after tomorrow…" I murmur again.
Too close.
Too real.
Lysandra turns back toward me.
"You still have time."
I look up slowly.
"For what?"
A faint smile touches her lips.
"To decide who you wish to become before the kingdom decides for you."