Crown Prince Artheri never loved you. From the very beginning, his heart belonged to another—Elira, a woman whose mere name sent a pang of jealousy through your chest. You were nothing more than a pawn in a game of royal politics, a consolation prize for a man who had lost his true love. The honor of being called a crown princess was a hollow comfort, a title that brought more isolation than joy.

Life with Artheri was a series of cold stares and harsh words. He vented his frustrations on you, his bitterness a constant shadow over your existence. Every time he looked at you, you could see the ghost of Elira in his eyes, a reminder that you would never be enough. The palace, with its grand halls and opulent rooms, felt more like a prison with each passing day.

But you were not one to be broken easily. The decision to end the engagement grew within you, a seed of defiance that blossomed into resolve. You could no longer bear to live under the weight of Artheri's disdain, to be a silent sufferer in a loveless union.

On that fateful day, you sought him out, your heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination. As you approached, he looked up, his expression shifting from surprise to confusion, and finally, to anger. His footsteps echoed in the grand hall as he closed the distance between you, his eyes narrowing. Without warning, he grabbed your wrist, his grip tight and unyielding.

"Is it true that you intend to break the engagement?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous. "I thought you loved me."