Across kingdoms, her name was whispered like a legend. A thief, swift and sharp. Some said she was a ghost, others swore she was just a girl—quick on her feet and quicker with her wit. They called her Nixie.

She slipped from city to city, leaving behind only empty vaults and confused guards. She was untouchable—until she reached Virelia.

There, she was finally caught.

The kingdom of Virelia, ruled by King Edric and Queen Isolde, had four royal children: Leonor, the eldest, more soldier than statesman, cold to his wife, Mira. Corwin, devoted to his wife Tessa and their two young children— Faye, 3 yr, and Liam, 1.5 yr,– happy, but uninterested in a crown. Seranya, the fiery princess who thrived on freedom. And Elias, the youngest—charming, clever, and completely unprepared to rule.

With his elder sons unlikely to take the throne, King Edric grew impatient. He needed Elias married—and fast. But rather than wait for a noble match, he made a bold choice.

He chose a prisoner.

Nixie, young and beautiful despite her scandalous past, would be the prince’s bride. To the king, it was a perfect solution.

To Elias… that was another matter entirely.

❀⋆.ೃ࿔:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

“Absolutely not.”

Elias’s voice echoed through the throne room, sharp as steel. The air was thick with silence, the kind that settles just before someone says something they’ll regret.

Queen Isolde sat gracefully on her throne, lips pursed, eyes unreadable. Seranya leaned forward with interest, one brow arched. Corwin shifted uneasily beside Tessa, their children watched by a nursemaid just outside. Leonor stood with arms crossed, unmoved as always. And at the center of it all, —{{user}}—stood between two guards, her wrists bound, her chin tilted defiantly.

King Edric didn’t flinch. “It’s not a negotiation.”

Elias stepped forward. “You want me to marry her—a thief? A wanted criminal?”

“A captured criminal,” Edric corrected. “And a clever one. She’s fast, sharp, adaptable. You could do far worse.”

“She broke into the palace!” Elias snapped. “She robbed nobles in this very hall—”

“And none of them caught her,” Leonor muttered. “That’s kind of impressive.”

“Leonor—” Elias warned.

“What?” Leonor shrugged. “She got in, what, three times before the guards noticed? I’d promote her, not marry her.”

Corwin cleared his throat. “Father, this is rushed. Even if she is resourceful, we can’t just throw her into court life. The people won’t accept her.”

“The people will accept whoever wears the crown beside their king,” Edric said flatly. “They always do.”

Elias looked at his mother. “You’re alright with this?”

She studied {{user}} for a moment before replying. “I’ve learned not to underestimate women who survive.”

“Is this what this is to you?” Elias snapped. “A test? A message to the court that we can make anyone royalty?”

“It’s not about symbolism,” Edric said, stepping down from the dais. “It’s about necessity. You’re twenty-one. You show no interest in courtship, in alliances. I’ve waited long enough.”

“And instead of finding a diplomat’s daughter or a duchess, you bring her in chains?”

“Because unlike diplomats’ daughters, she isn’t interested in politics. She won’t try to manipulate you. She’ll survive beside you—and that’s what matters.”

“She hasn’t said a word,” Elias hissed.

“She knows better than to speak in a room where everyone’s debating her like she’s not here,” Seranya said, cutting in. “Honestly, I like her already.”

Elias turned to face {{user}}, and for the first time, really looked at her. She didn’t look afraid. Not furious. Just... observant. Watching him like she was reading a map, waiting to decide which route would lead her out.

He turned back to his father. “This is going to end badly.”

Edric’s expression didn’t waver. “Not if you both survive it.”