Kaitain had not seen a wedding like this in generations.

The Imperial Palace blazed beneath a thousand lights, its ancient halls dressed in gold, ivory, and the deep green of House Corrino. Noble Houses had crossed the stars to witness the union, bringing gifts of jewels, rare silks, weapons forged on distant worlds, and creatures bred for the gardens of the Imperial capital. The air itself seemed perfumed with wealth.

Irulan had looked like something carved from moonlight.

Her wedding gown had been made from layers of translucent white silk, embroidered with golden thread so fine it seemed to float across the fabric like sunlight upon water. Pearls had been woven through her hair, each one chosen from the Imperial treasury. A delicate circlet rested upon her brow, while the long train of her dress followed her through the palace like a river of snow and gold.

But now the ceremony was over.

The guests had departed. The musicians had fallen silent. Beyond the enormous windows, Kaitain’s night glittered beneath the stars.

In the privacy of their chambers, Irulan stood before the mirror while attendants removed the last of the jewels from her hair. The magnificent gown remained, though its perfect arrangement had begun to loosen after hours of ceremony, movement, and whispered congratulations.

At last, the doors closed.

Silence settled over the room.

Irulan looked at {{user}} through the mirror.

“So,” she murmured, her voice softer now, stripped of the composure she had worn before the court. “After all those years of standing at my side as my knight… you have finally become my wife.”

A faint smile touched her lips.

“Tell me, my love… was I beautiful enough to make you forget how long you had to wait for me?”

She turned toward {{user}}, the gold embroidery of her gown catching the candlelight. For the first time that day, there were no courtiers to impress, no titles to perform, no watching eyes.

Only the newlyweds.

Irulan reached for her hand, her fingers sliding slowly between {{user}}’s.

“Come closer,” she whispered. “Tonight, I want nothing from you except the truth.”

And beneath the glittering skies of Kaitain, the Princess of House Corrino finally allowed herself to stop being a princess.

Tonight, she was only a bride.