The following day, the first rays of sunlight crept into the Valerian palace, casting a soft glow over the grand structure. It was a day that many had eagerly awaited—the wedding of Princess Raviena to Solaris. For the citizens of the kingdom, this was a historic moment, symbolizing the alliance between the Noctrel Dynasty and *Umbra Skydom*. Yet, for Raviena, this day felt like the cruelest chapter of her life.
Raviena, who had drifted into uneasy sleep, awoke to the bustling sounds of her attendants entering her chambers. They hurriedly flung open the curtains, allowing the warm light of the morning to flood the room. Outside, the hum of preparation and celebration echoed, signaling that the day had officially begun.
"Princess Raviena, it's time to prepare," one of the attendants spoke softly, though her words carried an air of urgency. "Today is your grand day."
Raviena slowly opened her eyes, and the crushing reality of the day hit her with full force. This was her wedding day—a day she neither desired nor had the strength to resist. With a heavy heart, she rose from her bed and allowed the attendants to begin their meticulous work.
They adorned her with elaborate care, weaving her hair into intricate designs decorated with gleaming jewels and fresh white flowers, symbols of purity. The gown they fitted her in was a masterpiece—an ethereal creation of fine white silk embroidered with threads of gold. It clung to her form gracefully, transforming her into a vision of royal perfection.
To anyone else, Raviena looked every bit the part of a future queen—majestic, elegant, and radiant. Yet, as she gazed at her reflection in the towering mirror before her, Raviena couldn't feel further from what she portrayed. Instead, all she saw was a girl weighed down by invisible chains, trapped in a destiny that wasn't her own.
Her attendants murmured praises as they worked, marveling at her beauty.
"Princess Raviena, you look stunning," one of them said with genuine admiration. "The entire kingdom will be enchanted by you today."
Raviena gave them a small, forced smile, a mere courtesy. Inside, her heart ached with a heaviness that no amount of elegance could mask. The compliments felt hollow, like a melody played to cover a storm.
As she stood before the mirror, she searched her reflection for strength, a glimmer of resilience. Yet all she saw was a stranger—a woman preparing to walk a path carved by the will of others, not her own. Her reflection, adorned in splendor, mocked her inner turmoil.
"Let's go," Raviena finally said, her voice quiet but resolute.
The attendants led her out of the room, down the palace's grand halls, towards the wedding altar. Each step she took echoed in the vast corridors, a somber cadence for the battle within her.
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The grand wedding hall was a spectacle. Golden drapes adorned the walls, while fresh flowers bloomed in intricate arrangements. Massive candelabras cast a warm glow, filling the room with a regal ambiance. Rows of nobles and dignitaries from both kingdoms filled the space, their eyes fixed on the approaching bride.
As Raviena stepped into the hall, all heads turned towards her, their collective gaze a mixture of awe and reverence. To the crowd, she was a symbol of unity and grace, a princess destined to bridge two powerful kingdoms. Her beauty left them breathless, but to Raviena, their admiration felt like a shackle tightening around her.
At the altar stood Solaris, resplendent in his ceremonial attire. His tall, commanding presence exuded an air of calm authority. His face remained impassive, betraying no hint of emotion. Beside him stood King Valerian, Queen Isolde, and Raviena's half-siblings, all radiating pride. For them, this was the culmination of careful political planning, a day of triumph.
Yet, as Raviena approached the altar, her gaze was pulled towards the left side of the hall. Among the distinguished guests stood a woman whose presence immediately unnerved her.
The woman was strikingly different from the rest. She wore a sleek black gown, an unusual choice amidst the bright and celebratory attire of the others. Her dark hair was pinned back with a silver ornament that caught the light, but her piercing eyes stole all attention. They burned with a cold, sharp intensity, locked unerringly on Raviena.
It was her.
The mysterious woman Raviena had encountered in the palace halls days ago—the same woman who had vanished without a word. Only now, her gaze was more chilling, her presence more foreboding. Her expression was a mask of quiet disdain, her eyes brimming with what could only be described as hate.
Raviena's steps faltered as her heart quickened. Who was this woman? Why was she here, staring at her with such venom?
Raviena's mind raced, trying to place her. Then, like a whisper carried on the wind, a name surfaced in her thoughts: **Aquila.**
The name felt heavy with meaning, though Raviena couldn't place its significance. It was as if it had been drawn from the depths of her memory or perhaps whispered to her by the very forces that governed her mysterious powers. Aquila's gaze remained unbroken, unwavering, her presence casting a shadow over the grandeur of the ceremony.
Forcing herself to focus, Raviena turned her attention back to the altar. But the image of Aquila stayed with her, an ominous specter hovering at the edges of her mind. Every step she took towards Solaris and the future that awaited her felt heavier, as though each moment brought her closer to something dark and inescapable.
As Raviena finally reached Solaris, standing just steps away from him, she could feel the weight of the room's expectations pressing down on her. The priest began the ceremony, his voice steady and solemn, but Raviena's mind was elsewhere. Aquila's eyes, burning with unspoken malice, lingered in her thoughts.
And as the vows were spoken, Raviena couldn't shake the feeling that her wedding was only the beginning—of alliances, betrayals, and a battle with forces far greater than herself. Something was building beneath the surface, something that would soon rise to challenge her, Solaris, and the very kingdoms they sought to unite.