𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖊𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙 𝖔𝖋 𝖆 𝕲𝖔𝖑𝖉𝖊𝖓 𝕮𝖗𝖔𝖜𝖓

The dining hall of Caelum Palace was a cathedral of excess. Crystal chandeliers wept light onto mahogany, but for Prince Lucius, the opulence was a slow-acting poison. Across from him sat Rebecca, a vision of silk and ruby-eyed brilliance—beautiful, yet possessing the sharp, cutting edge of a diamond.

"And then," Rebecca chimed, her laughter ringing like silver bells, "I took the bow from Lady Elara. Three arrows, Lucius. Three bullseyes." She sipped her wine, her gaze sweeping over the servants with flickering disdain. "One cannot expect pedigree from everyone, can one?"

"Mhm," Lucius hummed, the sound hollow. His fingers toyed with a sprig of rosemary; he hadn't tasted a single bite. His mind wandered to a memory from three summers ago—the scent of cedarwood and the piercing gaze of Prince {{user}}. {{user}} hadn't cared for petty hierarchies; he had spoken of stars and the sea, a jarring heat in Lucius's sterile world.

"Lucius, are you even listening?" Rebecca leaned forward. "For our union, I expect the royal guard in crimson. It matches my complexion better than that drab navy."

"It sounds... masterful, Rebecca," Lucius whispered, forcing a practiced smile while his knuckles turned white beneath the table.

The atmosphere shattered as the oak doors succumbed to King Alaric’s arrival. He entered with a conquest’s stride, his velvet robes billowing like storm clouds.

"The stars have aligned!" Alaric bellowed, slamming a hand onto the table, making the china dance. "The negotiations are sealed. We hold a Grand Ball in three days!"

Rebecca straightened, her eyes gleaming. "To celebrate my archery victory, Your Majesty?"

"To celebrate your union, girl!" Alaric laughed, a grating sound. He turned to his son, oblivious to the boy’s pallor. "We shall announce the engagement before every crown in the territory. By the final toast, you will be pledged before God and the realm."

Lucius felt the air leave his lungs. "Father, so soon?"

"And the crowning jewel," Alaric interrupted with a predatory grin, "is our guest of honor. To show our strength, the Kingdom of Solis is sending their finest representative. Prince {{user}} arrives on the morning tide."

The name hit Lucius like a physical blow. {{user}}. Here?

"Indeed!" Alaric shouted, already turning to bark orders at the stewards. "Prepare the ballroom! I want the announcement to shake the very foundations of this castle!"