The palace was changing.
Silk drapes lined the grand hall, golden threads catching the light as servants rushed back and forth. Fresh flowers were arranged with precision, their fragrance filling the air.
It was beautiful.
And suffocating.
Lilac stood at the edge of the hall, watching silently as the wedding preparations unfolded before her eyes.
"This is too much…" she whispered.
"It's not enough."
Her breath caught.
Aria.
"You should be grateful," Aria continued, walking slowly around her. "Do you know how many would dream of this?"
Lilac kept her voice steady. "Then maybe it should have stayed yours."
Aria's eyes sharpened. "Careful."
"I didn't take anything from you."
"You took everything," Aria snapped. "My place. My future."
"I never asked for it!" Lilac said frustrated
"But you didn't refuse," Aria said coldly. "That makes you just as guilty."
Lilac fell silent.
"Pathetic," Aria muttered, turning away. "Crying one moment, pretending strength the next."
Elsewhere
The northern king's patience had run out.
"This is a mistake," he said sharply, his voice echoing through the chamber. "You're distracted."
Rael didn't even look up. "By what?"
"That girl."
Rael finally lifted his gaze, unimpressed. "She's irrelevant."
"Then act like it," the king snapped. "You've been watching her."
A pause.
Rael leaned back slightly. "You're imagining things."
The king stepped closer. "I didn't raise you to hesitate."
"I'm not hesitating."
"Then prove it."
Silence.
Rael's eyes hardened, a faint edge creeping into his voice. "You speak as if this matters to me."
"It should," the king said. "Everything you do reflects this kingdom."
Rael stood now, his presence shifting the air.
"I don't need reminders."
"And I don't need a son who forgets his place."
The words hung heavy.
For a brief moment, something dangerous flickered in Rael's eyes.
"I haven't forgotten," he said quietly. "Maybe you're the one who has."
The tension snapped.
But neither of them backed down.
Liana stood before Queen Morwenna, her hands clenched tightly.
"Mother… please reconsider."
The queen didn't look up. "This discussion is over."
"It's not fair!" Liana insisted. "Lilac isn't ready for this, she's suffering!"
"She will endure."
"She's not like you!" Liana's voice broke. "She feels everything "
"And that is exactly why she must learn," the queen cut in sharply.
Liana froze.
"You think I enjoy this?" the queen continued, her tone colder now. "This is necessary."
"For who?" Liana whispered.
"For all of us."
Liana shook her head slowly. "You're going to lose her."
For a moment… the queen said nothing.
But she did not change her decision.
That night
Riven moved silently through the corridors.
His silver eyes glowed faintly in the dark, sharp and focused.
Guards passed without noticing him.
Everything was already in place.
"Just a little longer…" he muttered.
Lilac stepped into the garden again, drawn by habit… or maybe desperation.
"You're becoming predictable."
She didn't need to turn.
Rael.
"Maybe I just don't have anywhere else to go," she replied.
Rael studied her. "Or maybe you're waiting."
Her heart skipped. "Waiting for what?"
"For someone to save you."
Lilac's expression hardened slightly. "No one is coming."
Rael stepped closer, his voice low. "Good."
She frowned. "Why would you say that?"
"Because I don't like interference."
The meaning hit her instantly.
"You knew," she whispered.
"I know enough."
Lilac shook her head. "You won't stop him."
"I will if I have to."
Her chest tightened. "Why do you care?"
Rael's gaze locked onto hers.
"…Because you're mine now."
The words sent a chill down her spine.
And for the first time
She didn't know whether to be afraid of the future…
Or of him.