While Valeria stood frozen, torn by her thoughts, her father spoke up, his voice shaky as he clutched his bleeding arm. "We are grateful for your mercy, Your Majesty. My daughter is yours." In that moment, his only concern was to save himself.
Valeria realized, with a sinking heart, that she never had a choice. She had to marry the king. She tried to protest, to find some way out of this nightmare, but the king didn't give her a chance.
"Perfect. I'll summon the priest so we can be wed tonight," he declared with a cruel grin, savoring her despair.
She didn't want this. She wanted to flee. Her eyes darted toward the door, but as if anticipating her every move, the king gestured to the guards. They grabbed her, hauling her toward a waiting room for the ceremony that evening. As they dragged her out of the throne room, the last thing she saw was her mother fainting, and her father kissing the king's feet in gratitude, content to sacrifice his own daughter for his survival. She didn't know where her half-brother, Maximilian, had vanished to, but she didn't care. Holding back her tears, she allowed the guards to roughly pull her through the palace halls.
But her thoughts raced with desperation. Maybe I can still escape, she thought, though the risks loomed in her mind. Her father and Maximilian could die, a possibility that brought her a flicker of satisfaction, but her mother—she couldn't bear the thought of leaving her mother behind. Who knew what horrors the king would unleash if she fled? Perhaps, she thought, they could escape together.
As she struggled to formulate a plan, the guards stopped at a door and shoved her inside a bedroom, locking it behind her. She stumbled, then rose, scanning her surroundings. A spacious bed lay against one wall, a small desk and wardrobe against another, and an attached bathroom. The colors were dull and cold—grays and dark tones, just like the king himself. She felt a chill settle over her; she couldn't bear to stay here.
Her gaze fell on the doors to a small balcony. Maybe she could jump. She rushed over and tried to open them, but they were locked. Desperately, she grabbed a stool from in front of the desk, lifting it to smash the glass—only to freeze at a sound behind her. She looked behind but her eyes lit up as she saw the person standing in the door.
"Mother!" she gasped, relief flooding her as she dropped the stool and ran into her mother's arms. Lady Isabell Elsass held her tightly, her face pale with worry.
"Oh, my beautiful Valeria… I'm so sorry. I could kill your father for this," her mother murmured, her voice heavy with regret.
Valeria couldn't hold back any longer. She broke down, sobbing into her mother's shoulder. "I don't want to marry him… please. Let's run away, Mother. You and me. Help me break the glass on the balcony door; we can climb down and escape."
"Shh… we can't do that. You need to calm down," her mother replied gently, her tone filled with resignation. "The king would find us immediately. You're strong, Valeria. I know you can get through this, and it was time you married anyway. I never wanted it to be to such a cruel man, but… I trust you'll endure, my sweet girl."
Her mother's words pierced Valeria's heart. She'd hoped—believed—that her mother would help her. She had longed for a way out, but once again, she was left disappointed. Without looking up, she whispered, "Leave."
Isabell hesitated. "I know this is hard for you, and that you're angry, but you have no choice. Obey him, and you will suffer less. I wish I could do more. I'd kill any man in this court for you, but… we both know that we women have no power. Did you really believe you'd inherit your father's title? That was just an empty promise. Listen to me, Valeria—be cooperative. Survive. I don't want to lose you, my beautiful daughter."
Isabell's words were meant as advice, born from her own painful experiences, but Valeria couldn't see that. All she heard was betrayal.
"I said *leave*," she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
Isabell slowly rose, pressing a gentle kiss to Valeria's head. "I love you… please, don't do anything foolish." With that, she left, her footsteps fading as silent tears traced down Valeria's cheeks, leaving her alone in the darkened room.