Lord Louweris looks me over briefly and then nods as if he has made a decision. Without warning, he grabs my arm, his fingers digging deep into my flesh. Pain shoots through my body, and a scream threatens to escape my throat, but I press my lips together. My face contorts with the agony, but I nod quickly, desperate to escape his brutal grip.
“This word,” he hisses softly but menacingly, “will never pass your lips again.”
His hand squeezes tighter, and I can feel the danger emanating from him. My entire body trembles under his power. Quickly, I swear to obey him, whatever he demands, as long as he releases me. Finally, he pushes me away, as if I were nothing. My body stumbles backward, and I can barely stay on my feet. He points toward the exit, a gesture of dismissal. No argument, no chance of escape.
With shaking knees, I turn and leave the room, feeling my whole body tremble with fear. The chilling silence of his words follows me back into the ballroom. The sound of laughter, music, and voices crashes over me, but I can’t feel it. I feel none of the warmth that fills the room. No one notices me, and yet I feel as if invisible eyes are watching. My stomach turns. I have to find my father.
It’s not difficult – he stands before the podium, talking to other nobles, who listen intently to his every word. I no longer care whether I’m giving up my chance at a free life! That freedom was never mine to begin with. My father intended to send me away from the start, to please the queen. How could I have been so blind as to think he had ever considered me?
Determined, I march toward the king. My heart races, and I fight back the rising tears. My father notices me, but his smile is cold and hollow.
“Vespera, my dear!” he says with feigned warmth, extending an arm toward me. “You look stunning!”
The two men at his side bow politely. The first, a broad-shouldered man with light brown hair, speaks: “Princess! It is an honor to meet you. I am Grand Duke Aldric of Silberhain.” He eyes my dress and snaps his fingers approvingly. “Your dress – which seems made for you – was crafted in Silberhain. It fills me with pride that you chose it.”
I nod briefly and want to address my father, but before I can, the second man speaks.
“Princess Vespera”, he says in a deep voice. His black hair and the scars on his face give him a hardened appearance. Unlike the grand duke, he doesn’t try to flatter me. “Lord Velqorin. I hear you have already met my son.”
This man is supposed to be the legendary conqueror of an entire army? He doesn’t look much different from the man next to him. How could he have slaughtered hundreds of soldiers?
Sylas told him about me. Did he tell his father good things about me?
Before I can follow my thoughts further, Lord Velqorin speaks again: “My king, how about our children joining together in marriage? The evening’s celebration is in honor of the princess. We could give the people another reason to celebrate and announce her engagement!”
“We will indeed do that, Zyar”, my father responds calmly. “The engagement of Princess Vespera and Lord Louweris.”
“Lord Louweris?“, Lord Velqorin asks in shock, quickly regaining his composure as he realizes the situation. “Forgive me, my king, but Lord Louweris is far too old for your daughter!”
“Age is of no consequence”, my father replies firmly. “He comes from a good family, and I trust him. Besides, he has had feelings for Vespera for many years.”
For years? I’m only 17! How long has he already considered me of interest? That’s disgusting!
“My king, please reconsider”, Lord Velqorin pleads. “An engagement between my son and the princess would bring you far greater benefits.”
“That is irrelevant”, my father says, raising his hand to silence Lord Velqorin. “My decision is final. Vespera, come with me.”
Lord Velqorin and Grand Duke Aldric of Silberhain remain behind as I silently follow my father. The king leads me to the podium. At that moment, Queen Mayyira and Crown Prince Yula join us. They stand behind us, not sparing me a glance.
“My dear people!“, the king calls out proudly, drawing the attention of all. “Your presence here fills me with joy. On this wonderful evening, you will not only witness the return of my beloved daughter Vespera to our kingdom...”
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He pauses for a moment, and the crowd erupts in cheers. All eyes are on me. Various emotions reflect in the faces around me: envy, respect, even joy.
“But also her engagement to Lord Louweris!” he concludes.
A loud murmur runs through the crowd. Some applaud again, while others recognize the problematic nature of this announcement.
At that moment, Lord Louweris steps to my side. Without my consent, he takes my hand and smiles at the crowd. Amidst the loud cheers, the man leans toward me and whispers menacingly in my ear: “You will behave. Should you ever question me in public, I will punish you for it. You will be my wife, and thus my possession.”
He grips my hand tighter, and I try not to let my face show my discomfort. My body freezes, and a shiver runs down my spine. His mere presence intimidates me. This man has no respect for women, and yet my father wants me to marry him. What am I still doing here?
I stand nervously on the lavish podium, watching the guests crowding into the festively decorated hall. The colorful banners hanging from the ceiling seem to dance in the light of the glowing pillars, but I can barely enjoy the sight. My heart pounds wildly in my chest as I catch sight of Lord Louweris standing next to my father, King Mukuta.
“You are gathered here to witness the union between my daughter, Princess Vespera, and Lord Louweris”, my father announces, his voice cold and distant.
The joy these words might have evoked is absent. Instead, I feel the tension in the air intensify.
I can hardly believe that I am standing here, ready to marry this man. Lord Louweris is much older than I am, and his imposing figure radiates a dominant aura that frightens me. His gaze is piercing, as if he has already laid claim to my heart, and I can’t help but think that I am merely a pawn in a larger plan.
“Princess Vespera, Lord Louweris”, King Mukuta continues, his eyes resting indifferently on us. “Are you ready to enter into this union?”
His voice carries a tone that brooks no dissent. It is clear that my feelings are of no concern to him.
Lord Louweris steps forward, his face adorned with a self-satisfied smile.
“Yes, my king”, he responds confidently, as if his consent were a mere formality.
I can’t believe how easily he says it. I wish I could respond, tell him that I don’t love him, that I don’t want to be with him. But when I meet his piercing gaze, which makes me feel like a child unable to defend myself, my voice fails me.
King Mukuta then turns to me, his expression hard. “Vespera, what about you? Do you wish to marry Lord Louweris?”
The question sounds more like a command than a genuine inquiry.
“I...“, I begin, but the words catch in my throat. The weight of his expectations, the coldness of his gaze—I can’t help but lower my shoulders. “Yes...” I finally murmur, my heart sinking under the burden of my reluctant agreement. It is not a true answer but one born of fear and resignation.
A murmur runs through the crowd, while my father, as if it were of no importance to him, smiles and gathers the approval of those present. In that moment, I feel like a puppet, trapped in a web of expectations and decisions that are not my own.
Lord Louweris smiles triumphantly. I wish I could just run away, but reality holds me in its iron grip. I feel as though in this moment, I am not only giving up my freedom but also a part of myself.
Lord Louweris holds both my hands firmly and stares intensely into my eyes. Slowly, he leans closer, his face nearing mine until his lips finally brush against mine. Internally, I struggle, suppressing the urge to push him away—I know that would only seal my fate if I dared to defy him. Instead, I allow the kiss to happen, feeling him greedily pull me closer. One of his hands presses firmly against my back while the other strokes my cheek.
I clench my teeth, trying to steady myself, but his persistence overwhelms me. I taste the remnants of his meal, the faint hint of onions almost making it hard to breathe. The cheering of the guests around us mingles with my inner resistance, but there is no escape.
When the kiss finally ends, Lord Louweris takes my hand and pulls me assertively in front of the gathered crowd. My gaze meets Sylas’. His eyes are filled with pain as he watches me. Beside him, his father, Lord Velqorin, frowns deeply, as if he can’t believe this marriage is truly happening.
“Elowirn, my old friend?” the king calls out, looking at Lord Louweris with an inviting smile that sends a chill down my spine.
Lord Louweris smiles smugly and speaks loudly: “I thank each and every one of you who stands by my side today. My marriage to Lady Louweris fills me with great joy. As you know, my previous wives were unable to give me heirs. But that will change now!”
The room erupts in applause, as though his every word were a cause for celebration. Even my father claps, without the slightest hint of compassion for me. Servants begin to bring out desserts, and the guests slowly return to their seats. Lord Louweris leads me to our lavishly decorated table, where I shakily sit down. My hands rest stiffly in my lap, and I wonder if I’ll be able to swallow even a single bite.
Suddenly, I feel a hand on my thigh. My breath catches in my throat. Lord Louweris’ fingers lie heavily on my leg, and his gaze shamelessly roams over me.
“This dessert isn’t what I truly want”, he whispers softly, but I can’t miss the commanding tone in his voice. His eyes linger on my neckline. “You will give me an heir. Tonight will go down in history.”
A cold wave of dread washes over me. The words he speaks only heighten my fear. The fear that this man will force me to do something against my will paralyzes me. He has already taken my first kiss, and now it seems as if he plans to take even more. Panic rises within me. But how can I stop him? How can I prevent this nightmare from becoming a reality?