Winter's blue eyes seemed lifeless as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror. Her personal maid and friend, Emma, gently brushed her long, fiery red hair.

"Do you think he's handsome, miss?" Emma asked, attempting to lighten the mood.

Winter sighed, her disgust evident. "I don't care about his looks, Emma. I care about the fact that I'm being forced to marry a notorious vampire prince."

Her mother, Queen Liana, entered the room, her expression somber. "Winter, I know you dreamed of marrying for love, but this union will ensure our kingdom's prosperity. Your father and I have made this decision for the good of our people."

Winter's heart trembled as she met her mother's gaze. The blank expression in the mirror seemed to mirror the emptiness within her.

"How can I do this, Mother?" Winter asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Can't there be another way?"

Queen Liana's eyes filled with compassion, but her voice remained resolute. "This is the only way to secure our future, Winter. You must put the needs of our kingdom above your desires."

Winter's reflection seemed to fade away, replaced by the daunting reality of her impending marriage to a mysterious and feared vampire prince.

Winter's thoughts swirled as she descended into the castle's grand hall. Her father, the king, stood beside a tall, dark-haired figure. The vampire prince.

"Ah, Winter, my dear, this is Prince Ryker," her father announced, his voice booming. She felt her heart stop beating as she stared at this handsome creature; he was very pale but different from how books described them to be; she felt Emma stiffen with widened eyes; "I am dying, princess."

Winter swallowed hard as she clenched her fist. Prince Ryker's piercing gaze seemed to bore into her soul.

"Your Majesty," Prince Ryker said, his deep voice dripping with courtesy.

Winter curtsied, her movements stiff. "Prince Ryker."

The prince's eyes narrowed as if assessing her. "Your Highness, let's get this wedding over with," Her voice laced with determination; the wedding ended in a flash, and a swirl of emotions clouded her eyes at the thought of leaving her home and family.

Queen Liana hugged her daughter as they both cried, "Take Emma with you as you will be in a foreign place, "Her father said, sighing as his heart felt heavy, departing from his daughter.

"Your Highness, we are needed back in the capital, "Logan(the right hand of Ryker) whispered into his ear; there was a slick of emotion that flashed right through his eyes as his eyes darted to his wife; "get the car for departure."

He said walking towards the family who held each other reluctance in their eyes, he coughed making his presence known, "We have to leave right now;" winter smiled as she took his hand heading towards the car, the news of her sudden wedding and her departure reached worldwide as the people came to send her off. The atmosphere in the car was awkward as they rode in silence, her eyelids grew heavy as she fell into dreamland.

As Winter's eyelids fluttered open, She found herself nestled in the crook of Ryker's neck, her head resting on his shoulder. The sweet and intoxicating scent of strawberries wafted up from his skin filling her lungs. Disoriented, she blinked, her gaze meeting Ryker's piercing eyes, "you are finally awake,".

His voice snapped her back to reality as she pushed herself away from him, hiding her blushing cheeks; he walked out of the room, leaving her dumbfounded and embarrassed,' such a cold ma,n,' she mused, staring at the spacious room. Her eyes twinkled with adventure as she began uncovering the secrets of the room, a knock jolted her as a maid walked in bowing her head, "Miss, dinner is ready," Dropping the jewelries in her hands, As winter stepped into the grand hall used by the royal family to eat, she felt the weight of history settles upon her.

The interior of the palace was beautiful, captivating, and intimidating, its secrets whispering through the stones, making her wonder what the palace looked like.