The council chamber remained tense, though the swords had long been lowered.
The northern king paced slowly, his boots echoing against the marble floor. "You expect me to accept this?" he snapped. "A powerless girl in place of your first daughter?"
Queen Morwenna did not move. "You came for an alliance. You will leave with one."
"A weak one," he countered.
Rael, leaning lazily against the edge of the table, finally spoke. "You talk too much about power." His golden eyes flicked toward the queen, then back to his father. "If she's useless, then she won't be a threat. That should please you."
The king's jaw tightened. "You would bind yourself to someone beneath you?"
Rael's lips curved faintly, but there was no warmth in it. "I bind myself to no one. This is just a marriage."
Queen Morwenna watched him closely. "Then you accept?"
"I already said I would." His tone was flat. "Or would you rather we go back outside and let the guards finish what they started?"
Silence.
The king exhaled sharply, frustrated. "…Fine. But do not expect me to pretend this is favorable."
"It doesn't need to be," Rael replied.
Aria returned just as whispers began spreading through the palace.
"What's going on?" she demanded, pulling off her gloves as she entered. Her sharp gaze scanned the room.
A maid hesitated. "Your Highness… the queen has made a decision regarding the engagement."
Aria's eyes narrowed. "Speak clearly."
"It has been reassigned."
"To who?" Aria snapped.
"…Princess Lilac."
The silence that followed was heavy.
Aria let out a short, disbelieving laugh. "You're joking."
Moments later, she stood before Queen Morwenna.
"You canceled my engagement," Aria said, voice controlled but burning underneath. "And gave it to her?"
"It was necessary," the queen replied calmly.
"She is nothing compared to me."
"She is what I chose."
Aria stepped closer. "Why?"
The queen's gaze hardened. "Because you will not marry into a kingdom that could destroy you. This is strategy, not favoritism."
Aria held her gaze… then slowly exhaled.
"…Fine," she said at last, though her eyes darkened. "If that is your decision, I will not oppose it."
But the hatred had already begun to grow.
The chief maid found Lilac not long after.
"Her Majesty requests your presence."
Lilac blinked. "Me?"
"Yes, my lady."
Lilac stood before her mother, her hands trembling slightly.
"You called for me?"
Queen Morwenna studied her for a moment. "You will be married."
Lilac froze. "Married?"
"To the northern prince." The queen replied
The words didn't make sense.
Lilac shook her head faintly. "No… there must be a mistake."
"There is none."
"Mother, why me?" Her voice cracked. "Aria was the one"
"I made my decision," the queen cut in. "You will obey it."
Lilac took a step forward. "I don't even know him!"
"You don't need to."
Tears welled in her eyes. "You're sending me away… like this?"
Queen Morwenna's expression did not change. "You will do your duty."
Lilac's lips trembled.
"…Yes, Mother."