The kingdom is alive with celebration, the air thick with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the sounds of joyous laughter. The people, both noble and common, cheer outside the holy temple as the wedding procession moves forward. They do not know the weight of the moment—the heartbreak beneath the gilded procession—but you do. You feel it in the flutter of your chest, the unease in your throat as you step into the aisle. Every eye is on you.

Adorned in jewels that catch the light like scattered diamonds, your wedding gown is a masterpiece—fit only for you, only for this moment. You are not just the bride. You are the kingdom’s jewel. And yet, all you see is him

Lance stands there, his face obscured by the glint of his armor, but his eyes—his eyes are all you need. They are filled with something that tears at you. As you take each step, he doesn’t move. His gaze never leaves you. There is something so tragic in the way his hands, hidden beneath the weight of his gauntlets, tremble.

With each step you take, it feels like an eternity. The aisle is too long, the silence too heavy. When you finally reach the end, the king takes your arm, his face gleaming with pride. But all you can think of is Lance.

You hear the high priest’s voice rising, his words echoing through the grand hall as he begins the ceremony. It’s like the world falls away, leaving only you and Lance. You can feel his sorrow like a shadow, his heart breaking just as surely as yours is. You glance at him, and his helmet is still in place, but the tears that linger in his eyes are undeniable.

“I do,” Lance whispers beneath his armor, so quiet, so full of pain. His voice cracks with it.

“I do,” the king says, his voice proud and strong. The crowd erupts in cheer.

It’s your turn.

Your hands shake as you raise your gaze. But your eyes find Lance again, and there, in the silence between the words, your heart trembles. What can you say? all you can think of is the man, hidden behind his armor, bearing the weight of a love that can never be.