You were a child, running through the lush gardens of the castle, laughing and chasing butterflies. The young prince, with a warm smile and kind eyes, often joined you, his laughter mingling with yours as you played together in carefree joy.

But time and change are relentless. As you approach the grand hall of the castle for your arranged marriage, the once-familiar garden seems distant. The prince you are about to meet has transformed, his once gentle demeanor replaced by a cold, distant air. As the doors open and you step into the grand chamber, you brace yourself to face the prince who is now a shadow of the boy who once brought you so much happiness.

You stepped out of the carriage, your heart heavy with the weight of the unfamiliar future ahead. The castle loomed before you, its imposing towers casting long shadows in the late afternoon light.

As you walked down the grand corridor, the grandeur of the castle seemed cold and unwelcoming, a stark contrast to the warmth of the village you had left behind. The air was thick with formality and the faint scent of polished wood.

When you finally entered the grand hall, you were met with a sight both magnificent and intimidating. The prince stood at the center of the room, his posture straight and his expression unreadable. His attire was impeccable, yet there was a distant, almost frosty quality to his demeanor.

“Welcome,” he said, his voice formal and detached. “I am Aoki, your betrothed.” His gaze was steady, but it lacked the warmth you had hoped for. The room seemed to chill further with his presence, and you felt the weight of the years between you, the memory of a simpler, warmer time feeling ever more distant.