I was seated in the lush garden, sipping on lemon balm tea and enjoying my day off, when Lysander entered with a look of unease that caught my attention.
"Nerina? Do you have time? I—there's someone who wants to meet you," he said hesitantly.
I nodded, but the tension in his voice sent a shiver of suspicion down my spine. "Yes, that's fine, but why do you look so tense?" I asked, trying to keep my tone light.
"I'm alright. I was just in a heated conversation a while ago," he replied, evading my probing gaze.
As I followed Lys into the royal palace, a gnawing sense of anxiety settled in my stomach. His demeanor was different today—tense, serious. I tried to brush off the feeling, but the grand halls, with their imposing architecture and the silent, guarded air, only heightened my unease.
"Lys," I ventured, nudging for more information, "who are we meeting? You seem... worried."
He glanced back at me, a flicker of something crossing his usually calm features. "It's nothing to worry about, Nerina. Just... something important. But I'll be with you the entire time."
His attempt to soothe me did little to alleviate my nerves, but I trusted him. Lys had always looked out for me, and I knew he wouldn't lead me into danger. Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that whatever awaited us might irrevocably change everything.
We finally stopped before an ornate door, and the guards nodded at Lys before opening it. My heart raced as I stepped into the room, where two men sat across from each other, their gazes now turning to me.
"Why are we here?" I thought, hesitating at the threshold. Lys gently urged me forward, his hand resting reassuringly on my back.
As I stepped inside, I could almost feel the weight of their stares, and the atmosphere dripped with seriousness. My confusion must have been palpable, as Lys leaned in, whispering, "Nerina, I'm sorry I never told you before. These are my brothers, Leo and Lorenzo. Leo is the King of Aethorador, and Lorenzo is the captain of the Royal Knights."
The revelation knocked the breath out of me. The man I had spent so much time with—who had shared laughter and warmth—was a prince. How had I not realized? My mind raced, struggling to reconcile this new reality.
"Nerina," Leo began, his voice steady yet laced with warmth, "we understand this may come as a shock, but you're here because we trust you. There's something of great importance we need to discuss."
I nodded slowly, still grappling with the fact that I was in the presence of royalty, my status suddenly feeling incredibly small. I took a seat as Leo gestured for me to, a blend of awe and nervousness swirling within me.
"Nerina, I want you to become the bride of the Emperor of Nokturna."
Those words hit me like a bolt of lightning. Bride? Emperor of Nokturna? My mind struggled to comprehend the enormity of what he was saying. I turned to Lys, seeking an explanation, but he avoided my gaze, a look of pain etched upon his features.
"What kind of situation is this?" I whispered, taut with urgency.
Before Lys could answer, Leo continued, his tone calm yet resolute. "Lady Nerina, I understand this is sudden and overwhelming, but it is crucial for the future of our kingdom. Nokturna has proposed an alliance, and in return, they request a member of our royal family as a bride for their Emperor. We wish to adopt you into the royal family so you may fulfill this request."
My heart raced as I struggled to absorb what I had just heard. The very notion of being adopted into the royal family and potentially sent off to marry a stranger was incomprehensible.
I turned back to Lys, feeling desperate. "Lys, is this… is this really what you want?"
His eyes locked onto mine, pain and conflict swirling within them. "Of course not! You can choose to reject this offer and still live in my home," he insisted, the weight of his words heavy with love and concern.
I glanced at the King, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me. "What would happen if I don't want to marry the Emperor?"
Leo leaned back, taking a measured sip of his tea before looking at me directly. "If you refuse, our country might lose this opportunity for an alliance. Nokturna's support is crucial for maintaining our strength, especially with the growing tensions leading to potential war. Without their backing, we could be vulnerable."
A chill swept through me at the thought of war—of lives lost potentially because of my refusal. The King added, "We would never force you into this, Lady Nerina. But we ask you to weigh the gravity of the situation. The safety of our people, the stability of our nation—these are the stakes."
I felt Lysander's tense presence beside me, shooting a glare at the King. "Enough with your petty talk, Leo. We can still fight them! I'll just create mana weapons for our soldiers to use!"
The King chuckled coldly, dismissing Lys with a wave of his hand. "Do you think you can craft hundreds of weapons in a short time? You're forgetting that you and a few other mages are among the last still alive… for now."
Their bickering faded into the background as my thoughts spiraled, torn between my own desires and the monumental responsibility they were placing on my shoulders. The idea of marrying a man I didn't know—leaving behind the life I had here—terrified me. Yet the alternative of plunging our country into chaos and danger felt even more daunting.
Finally, I looked back at Lys, searching for guidance, but all I saw was the weight of duty etched into his features. "No matter what your choice is, I'll still protect you," he promised, his words full of conviction.
I took a deep breath, wrestling with the duality of my emotions. The respect I held for both brothers and the enormity of the decision before me hung precariously in the air. Whatever path I chose, it would not only shape my life but the fate of countless others in Aethorador. As the weight of that realization washed over me, all I could do was hope for clarity amidst the turmoil.