Lady Celestia de Rochefort was a woman who enjoyed solitude, despised crowds, and valued her peace above all else. Known to the ton as the "Ice Queen" of high society, her life was a delicate balance of afternoon teas, quiet evenings in her library, and the perfect distance from the royal court. But today, that balance felt as though it were crumbling beneath her feet.
Sitting stiffly across from King Ferdinand, Queen Helena, and their impossibly charming son, Prince Adrian, she could feel her pulse racing. Not that she'd let it show; her practiced expression remained a mask of serene indifference.
"We're delighted, my dear," Queen Helena said, her warm smile directed right at Celestia. "Finally, our two families are to be joined."
Celestia blinked. Joined? Her stomach sank, but her face remained impassive. "Joined, Your Majesty?"
"Yes, Lady Celestia," the King said with a proud smile. "You are to be engaged to Prince Adrian. Preparations are already underway."
Engaged? Her pulse, which had already been a bit too fast for her liking, sped up even more. She'd come to the palace at her father's urgent request, but an engagement—to the prince—was beyond any nightmare she'd imagined.
Inhaling deeply, she forced a measured reply. "Your Majesties, I'm honored by your consideration," she began, each word careful and deliberate. "But I believe there's been a misunderstanding. I have no intention of marrying anyone."
Prince Adrian shifted, his blue eyes glinting with what seemed like amusement. "Lady Celestia, we haven't yet had the pleasure of properly meeting. Surely, we might at least give each other a chance?"
His words, said in a tone so calm and reasonable, felt almost mocking. Celestia's fingers curled into fists in her lap, but she didn't allow her smile to falter. "Prince Adrian," she said, meeting his gaze with a steely one of her own, "I assure you that my decision is firm. I have no desire to play the part of the blushing bride. I am quite content with my current life."
The Queen's expression wavered, if only for a moment, before she resumed her graceful smile. "Celestia, I understand. But you're a young woman; surely, marriage to the crown prince is a fitting match. You will be well looked after and held in high esteem. And we've already informed your father—he is delighted by the news."
The thought of her father, the Duke of Rochefort, nodding enthusiastically at the mere thought of aligning their family with the royal line made her blood boil. Of course he's delighted, she thought, pressing her lips into a thin line. Her father had always been eager to solidify his standing at court, regardless of her opinions on the matter.
"Your Majesty, if I may be so bold," she said, keeping her tone icy, "I am not one to seek glory or position. I am rather private. I have my own plans, my own interests."
"Marriage won't interfere with that," the King interjected, his gaze now focused, almost stern. "The engagement is a matter of state, Lady Celestia. I would ask you to consider the responsibility that comes with it."
Responsibility. The word echoed through her mind, weighing heavily. Did they truly expect her to abandon everything she'd carefully built—her freedom, her quiet, her autonomy—to become a royal bride?
But before she could respond, Prince Adrian leaned forward, his face now lit with something akin to curiosity. "So you're refusing me, Lady Celestia?"
The way he said it—so direct, so matter-of-fact—caught her off guard. The murmurs of the courtiers rippled through the hall, each one louder and more scandalized than the last. Refusing a prince was unheard of.
"Yes," she said, her tone resolute. "I am."
But the prince didn't appear offended. If anything, he seemed intrigued. The smirk on his lips widened, his gaze never leaving hers. "Well," he said, "that certainly makes things more interesting."
Celestia's heart skipped a beat, though she refused to let her expression betray it. "Interesting?"
"Indeed," he replied smoothly, his voice lowering as if sharing a secret with her alone. "I've never met anyone who could look me in the eye and tell me no." He leaned back in his chair, seemingly satisfied, as though she'd just passed some sort of test.
Her jaw tightened. "I'm glad to provide a unique experience, Your Highness. But my answer remains unchanged."
The Queen gave a delicate cough, clearly growing uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation. "Celestia, dear, think about what this marriage means. It is more than just a personal decision. This engagement signifies a bond between two of the most prominent families in the kingdom."
Celestia's mind whirled, her eyes fixed on the royals seated in front of her. The Queen's steady gaze, the King's unyielding authority, and—most unnervingly—the prince's mischievous smirk. They were waiting for her to give in, to fold under the weight of tradition and duty.
But Celestia de Rochefort had never been one to yield.
"Forgive me, Your Majesties," she said, carefully choosing her words. "I understand the weight of this arrangement for the kingdom. But I simply cannot commit to something that goes against my own heart. I am not suited for royal life."
Adrian's voice interrupted her, a playful lilt in his tone. "Perhaps you underestimate yourself."
She bristled, her eyes narrowing. "Or perhaps you overestimate your charm, Your Highness."
The prince's eyebrows lifted in surprise before he chuckled, a soft, genuine laugh that made the courtiers exchange stunned glances. He's laughing? Celestia thought incredulously, her pulse quickening despite herself.
The King finally spoke up, his voice carrying a hint of finality. "Lady Celestia, you will consider the matter. We will grant you time to... reflect."
Celestia clenched her fists in her lap but forced herself to give a stiff nod. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will... consider it."
With a final glance at the prince, who was still smirking at her as though they'd shared a private joke, she rose from her seat, curtseyed, and turned to leave. Every step away from the royal family felt like a battle, as though she were carrying the weight of her future on her shoulders.
The Carriage Ride Back to Rochefort Manor
The journey home was cloaked in silence. Seated in the carriage, her father's presence beside her was a heavy reminder of the expectations laid upon her. She could feel his gaze but refused to meet it, her mind racing with thoughts of what had just transpired.
"Well?" he said finally, breaking the silence.
Celestia's gaze remained fixed on the view outside the window. "Well, what, Father?"
Her father's sigh was as frustrated as it was weary. "Do you have any idea what an honor this is? This engagement would place you at the very heart of our kingdom."
"I don't need that honor," she replied coldly. "I don't need to be the kingdom's accessory, Father."
"Accessory?" The duke's voice was laced with exasperation. "Celestia, this is a duty. One you would do well to accept."
"A duty for you, perhaps," she said, her voice soft but filled with steel. "But it's my life. And if you're so keen on this arrangement, perhaps you'd like to take my place."
The Duke clenched his jaw, his eyes blazing with barely concealed anger. "You think this is just about you, Celestia? This is about our family's future. Our legacy."
But Celestia was already done with the conversation. She turned away, closing her eyes and steeling herself. She knew this engagement would be the end of her freedom, the end of her carefully built life.
But if Prince Adrian thought he could win her over, he was gravely mistaken.