“You look so beautiful, my lady,” a woman said, combing Eliana’s hair. “Why do you look so sad?”

Eliana stroked her stomach, now a clear bump in front of her. However, when she stood, the dress was made in such a way where that bump wouldn’t be noticeable. It was part of what General Nova had demanded when it came to such a wedding.

“Mm…” Eliana gave a noncommittal answer.

Ever since the day her world fell apart, the day where she was placed under house arrest and found out her beloved Deek died, she had been somewhat listless. She did her best to remain strong. Officially, she wasn’t being called a prisoner. She was merely being detained while investigations could be made. However, she knew the truth of it. She was a bargaining chip the Ost Republic was trying to leverage against Aberis to force them to accept terms.

Her country had gathered an army to make a show of force, but it was unclear to Eliana what her brother would do. Would he bend a knee to get her back? She couldn’t be certain. That was why a marriage had to occur. Only when she submitted could she save the pride of her people. Eliana was no fool either. From the moment she was apprehended, she had used her unique status and visited hundreds of diplomats and local politicians.

She had done everything in her power to protect her people, her baby, and herself. To do that, she went out every day, offering aid, advice, wealth, and a smile to the people of the Ost Republic. The Osterians didn’t much care for her at all. To them, she didn’t have any strength, which is what they valued most. When it came to the humans, however, she was a resounding hit. The king could only gnash his teeth as Eliana slowly became the Ost Republic’s beloved human princess. Although the Ost Republic’s humans were a republic run by a council, that didn’t diminish their love of a princess, which allowed them to push back against the overreaching Osterian rulership which had increasingly gained power and suppressed the humans over the last twenty years.

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So, it was only natural when it came to her being married that the humans wanted her to marry someone favored by the humans themselves. That man turned out to be General Nova, who although he was an Osterian, had many human lovers and showed great care for the human race. He was even heralded as a hero who had killed the evil Deek.

This reality wasn’t lost on Eliana, who had given up her pride, her love, and her life. She would be marrying the man who killed her love, and he would even be taking care of her child. It was the most bitter reality imaginable. Yet, for the sake of her young one, and the sake of her kingdom, she had to go through with all of it. She couldn’t even do what she wanted, and kill herself because that would hurt Deek’s child in her stomach.

Of course, she didn’t know about Demon Lord Aberis. She didn’t know he had already planned a bad end for her and her child. Even Nova was only just a pawn in his game. The only saving grace was that he had left the city to lead the march against the Aberis army. This wasn’t to fight but to negotiate the terms of surrender. The Ost Republic had already won.

The door opened. “It’s time for your marriage, princess.”

Eliana held all the pain inside as she stood up, straightened her wedding dress one more time, put up her veil, and left. She took the arm of a human dignitary. He was a kind man who had treated her quite well these last two months. The music began, and she started to walk up the aisle.