It has been ten years. Ten whole years since I was brought here.
I was around eight when King Rowan Wanaworth found me lying unconscious near a river while he was hunting deep in the woods. When I opened my eyes, I had no memories. I didn't know my name, where I came from, or if anyone out there was searching for me. I was no one.
So King Rowan gave me a name, a home, and a family. He became my father, my protector. And in time, my new family—my mother and my three older brothers—showered me with so much love that sometimes I forgot I wasn't truly theirs by blood. But they never treated me any differently. If anything, they loved me more because I was the only girl in the family, their cherished little princess.
But time moved swiftly, and now I was standing at the edge of change. In just one week, I would be married.
My betrothed, Prince Aurelius Alistar, belonged to the neighboring empire. It all began last year when his parents, King Theodore and Queen Seraphina, sought refuge in our palace due to heavy landfalls. They stayed for a week. That was when they saw me—spoke to me, smiled at me—and for some reason, they took a liking to me. And now that I was of marriageable age, they sent a proposal to my father, one he could not refuse.
I wasn't ready to leave. I wasn't ready to be someone else's wife. But what choice did I have? The Alistar Empire was powerful, feared even. I had heard whispers—stories of how they crushed neighboring kingdoms that dared to reject them. I could not risk my family or my people's safety.
What should I do?
I sighed, my quill pausing over the parchment as a sudden knock broke the silence of my room.
Startled, I quickly closed my diary, wrapping my shawl around my shoulders to conceal my thin nightgown before hurrying to the door. When I opened it, I found my eldest brother, Adrian, standing there.
"Brother?" I blinked in surprise. "What brings you here at this hour?"
Adrian's face, illuminated by the candlelight, softened with a familiar, affectionate smile. "Amara, love, I'm sorry for disturbing you. Did I wake you?"
I shook my head quickly. "No, brother. Please, come in."
He stepped inside, his tall frame moving with ease, and settled himself on my bed as if he had done this a thousand times before. I followed, perching beside him, watching as he studied me with quiet concern.
"Tell me, is something wrong?" I asked.
His lips twitched upward, but there was something unreadable in his gaze. "Nothing is wrong, dear one. I just wanted to see if you're doing alright."
I offered him a reassuring smile. "Brother, thank you for worrying, but I'm fine. I cannot avoid marriage forever. If not for him, I would have to marry someone else. It doesn't matter who. As a princess, my duty is to my people and my family."
I tried to sound strong, but Adrian wasn't fooled. His eyes softened further, and he sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Amara," he said gently, "I'm sorry. Father should have asked you before arranging this."
I shook my head, gripping his hand in mine. "Don't apologize. I'm sure Father had his reasons. I don't blame him. He loves me—he would never do anything to harm me. I am truly alright with this, brother. Please, don't feel guilty."
For a moment, he only studied me, his fingers tightening slightly around mine as if searching for any hidden hesitation. But when I smiled again, he sighed in defeat.
"Fine," he relented. "But you must write to us often. If time allows, we will visit you." He reached out, ruffling my hair fondly before rising to his feet. "Now, sleep. It's late. We'll talk more tomorrow."
He had almost reached the door when I suddenly remembered something.
"Brother!"
He turned just in time to see me rushing toward him. His brow furrowed. "Don't run like that. You'll trip and sprain your ankle," he scolded, his tone more amused than stern.
I laughed, grasping his sleeve. "Don't worry, brother. Your sister is not that fragile."
He gave me a long-suffering look. "What is it?"
I grinned. "Tomorrow night, there's a festival in the kingdom. Can I go?"
His frown deepened. "No."
I pouted. "Brother, please. Not everyone misbehaves at festivals. People dance, sing, and enjoy good food. It's beautiful."
"It's dangerous."
"Brother," I pleaded, my voice dropping into something softer. "I'm getting married soon. I don't know if I'll ever get to see the streets so alive again."
He exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You really know how to make things difficult."
I tilted my head, pressing my hands together in a pleading gesture. "Please, just this once?"
He muttered something under his breath before relenting. "Fine. But only if you take four knights with you."
I grinned triumphantly. "Deal."
He gave me a warning look before opening the door. "Sleep now, Amara."
As the door closed behind him, I let out a small sigh, collapsing onto my bed and staring at the ceiling. The cool night air seeped in through the window, brushing against my skin like a whisper of the unknown.
What would my new life be like?
Or rather… What kind of man was my future husband?
I sighed again and closed my eyes.
Just like that, I spent my remaining days with family and friends—shopping, chatting, and relaxing. Soon, the days passed, and the long-awaited day of my wedding arrived.
The palace was alive with the sound of bells, their chimes weaving through the crisp morning air like an omen of destiny. Servants rushed through the corridors, their hushed voices filled with excitement as they carried bolts of silk and trays of golden ornaments. Today was my wedding day.
I sat before the grand mirror in my chambers, staring at my reflection, yet I hardly recognized the girl gazing back at me. My gown was a masterpiece—ivory silk embroidered with golden threads that shimmered with every breath I took. Delicate lace trailed down my arms, and a sheer veil cascaded from a jeweled pin nestled in my dark locks. Yet beneath all the elegance, my heart pounded like the beating of war drums.
This was it. A moment I could never undo.
As my attendants worked silently, fastening pearls into my hair, a dull ache settled in my chest. I had spent years in this palace, loved by my family, cherished by my brothers. And yet, today, I would walk down the aisle and leave everything behind. Would I ever truly belong in my new home?
"Princess," one of my handmaidens whispered. "It is time."
A deep breath. A final glance at the girl in the mirror. And then, I rose.
The great hall was bathed in the golden glow of a thousand candles. Tapestries of crimson and ivory hung from the high walls, while rose petals blanketed the stone path leading to the altar. Noble lords and ladies lined the aisle, their whispers hushed as I entered.
I moved forward, each step light yet weighted with the unseen chains of duty. The scent of frankincense and roses filled my lungs, but nothing could steady the tremor in my hands. My father walked beside me, his grip warm but firm, as if grounding me one last time before I was no longer his to protect.
And before I knew it, I was standing before him—my soon-to-be husband.
My heart quickened, a steady drum against my ribs. Slowly, I lifted my gaze and found him already watching me. My breath caught. He was gazing at me as though nothing else in the world existed.
His black hair fell in soft waves, framing a face that looked sculpted by divine hands—elegant, serene, and yet carrying a depth of emotion that sent shivers down my spine. His gray eyes, like storm-kissed silver, met mine with quiet intensity, and for a moment, time itself seemed to hesitate.
He was beautiful. More than that, he was impossibly handsome in a way that unsettled me.
I had expected cold indifference, perhaps even arrogance. Instead, his gaze held something I couldn't quite name—something angelic. His lips curled into a small, knowing smile, one that felt both charming and unreadable.
I barely registered the words of the high priest as we stood before him. My thoughts tangled between duty and the unfamiliar pull in my chest whenever Aurelius's gaze flickered toward me.
The silk ribbon was brought forth—an ancient tradition binding our wrists together, symbolizing unity and fate. I held out my hand, my pulse racing as Aurelius did the same.
The priest wrapped the golden ribbon around us, his voice steady and commanding. "With this binding, your fates are woven together, your lives entwined. As long as this vow stands, so too shall your union."
Aurelius's fingers brushed against mine, and warmth bloomed up my arm. A slow, deliberate touch—not hesitant, not forceful, simply present.
The final knot was tied, and the priest stepped back. "You may now seal this bond."
I expected him to take my hand and merely press his lips against the silk, a formality. But instead, Aurelius unbound our hands with a graceful ease, taking my fingers in his own hands before lowering his head.
His lips brushed against the back of my hand—a whisper of warmth, reverent and deliberate. The hall was silent, but I could hear the quiet breath he took, as if this moment mattered.
And for a reason I couldn't explain, my heart skipped a beat.
And so, the ceremony was complete. We were bound, husband and wife.
I should have felt relieved. Instead, a strange feeling curled in my chest—something fragile, something unknown.
As the guests applauded, I glanced once more at the man beside me. My husband.
And soon, it would be time to leave.
To leave behind everything I had ever known.
To step into a life that no longer belonged solely to me.
To step into our home.