Arion leaned against the door frame his eyes fixed on me with a piercing gaze ."so whats happening?''
Arion's expression remained stern, his eyes narrowing slightly as he regarded me. "Athanasia, you will not speak of feeling trapped," he said, his voice firm but measured. "You are a member of this family, and you will conduct yourself with the dignity and decorum expected of you."
But as he spoke, his gaze softened, and he reached out to gently brush a strand of hair behind my ear. "However, I will not stand idly by while you are forced into a situation that brings you distress," he continued, his voice low and even. "We will find a way to navigate this situation, together."
Arion walked into Uncle's room, where Arion was pacing back and forth, his face red with anger. Father was sitting on the sofa, looking confused.
"Father, why can't we cancel this engagement?" Arion demanded, his voice furious. "Athanasia is not happy with this. And isn't she supposed to be Eckart's successor? So why—"
"Arion, that's what the Emperor wants," Uncle interrupted calmly.
"What?" Arion's eyes widened in outrage. "It means the Emperor knows that if Athanasia becomes the Duke, they'll be at a disadvantage. That's why he's engaged her to his son, so he can get his hands on the Aries treasure. But we can't let that happen. We have to stop this."
leaned forward, his eyes glinting with determination. "Not now, Arion. Let things unfold for now. When the time comes, we'll make our move too. So be patient."
"But Father, what about Athanasia—"
"I know, Arion," father said gently. "And I'll tell her everything soon. You know what, Arion? Sometimes these kinds of situations make us stronger."
"I want her to see the reality of this world, Arion," father said, his voice tinged with a mix of sadness and determination. "She's still young, and the sooner she understands, the easier it will be for her. I know it's hard for a 16-year-old, and I'm being selfish, but it's for her own good."
Arion's face remained expressionless, but his eyes betrayed a hint of disagreement. He nodded curtly and said, "I'll take my leave now, Father."
Without another word, Arion turned and walked out of the room, leaving grandduke to his thoughts. The silence that followed was heavy with unspoken words and unresolved emotions.
"Forgive me, Athanasia... Arion... My dear children, I am consumed by regret and sorrow. The weight of my past transgressions threatens to crush me, and I fear that you will be the ones to suffer the consequences of our actions.
"As I stand before you, I am reminded of the gravity of my mistakes. The burden of my guilt is suffocating me, and I am torn asunder by the thought of placing this weight upon your shoulders.
"But I vow to you, my dear children, that I will not stand idly by while you suffer for my sins. I will do everything in my power to protect you, to shield you from the repercussions of my actions."
Uncle's voice cracked with emotion as he spoke, his eyes welling up with tears.
As I stood before the ornate mirror, the soft glow of the morning sun cast a warm radiance upon my face. The gentle chirping of birds outside the window and the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers wafted through the air, creating a serene ambiance. But despite the peaceful atmosphere, my heart felt heavy with trepidation.
Today was the day His Majesty would announce my engagement to the Crown Prince. The thought sent a shiver down my spine, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of despair wash over me.
The past week had been a whirlwind of activity as the entire palace prepared for the Crown Prince's birthday banquet. The maids had been busy selecting the finest fabrics, designing intricate patterns, and crafting exquisite jewelry to adorn me for the occasion.
As I gazed at my reflection, I barely recognized the person staring back at me. The maid's skilled hands had transformed me into a vision of elegance. The delicate pink gown, aptly named "Pink Lady," hugged my curves in all the right places, while the rhodolite set, generously gifted by the Crown Prince, sparkled against my skin like a constellation of stars.
The maids fluttered around me, their soft gasps and gentle murmurs filling the air as they made their final adjustments. "Oh, my lady, you look breathtakingly beautiful today!" one of them exclaimed, her voice trembling with sincerity. "I mean, you always look lovely, but today...today you shine like a radiant gemstone!"
Their words of admiration barely registered, however, as my mind was consumed by the impending announcement. I felt like a pawn in a grand game of politics, with my fate hanging precariously in the balance.
With a deep breath, I steeled myself for the challenges ahead, the weight of my responsibilities settling upon me like a mantle. I would have to navigate the intricate web of court politics, all while maintaining the facade of a dutiful and obedient fiancée.
The sound of footsteps echoed outside my chamber, signaling the arrival of my escort. With a final glance at my reflection, I turned to face the door, my heart pounding in anticipation of the events that would unfold.
As the maid's swung open the door, I was taken aback by the vision standing before me. Arion, resplendent in his white formal attire, looked every inch the noble gentleman. His snow-white hair, styled impeccably, framed his chiseled features, while the silver gold diamond brooch adorning his lapel sparkled with subtle elegance.
Our eyes met, and for a moment, time stood still. The air was charged with an unspoken understanding, a sense of solidarity in the face of the challenges ahead.
"Athanasia, are you ready?" Arion's deep voice broke the silence, his eyes never leaving mine.
I nodded, my voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, I'm ready. And you look...good, Arion."
A hint of a smile played on his lips. "Thank you. You look beautiful too."
I smiled back, feeling a sense of gratitude towards him. "Thank you," I replied, my voice a little stronger now.
Arion extended his left hand to me, his eyes locked on mine. "Shall we go now? Father and Adrian are waiting for us in the carriage."
I placed my hand in his, feeling a surge of reassurance as his fingers closed around mine. Together, we walked towards the carriage, the sound of our footsteps echoing through the corridor.
As we approached the carriage, Uncle and Adrian stood waiting, resplendent in their formal attire. Uncle's royal blue outfit seemed to radiate an aura of authority, while Adrian's white attire made him look dashing and handsome.
Uncle's eyes twinkled with pride as he gazed at me. "Ah, my dear daughter, you're shining like the sun today! Haha!" He chuckled, his voice warm with affection.
Adrian grinned mischievously. "Yeah, Athi, you look so different! I almost didn't recognize you!"
I smiled, feeling a little self-conscious but also pleased by their compliments. "Thank you, Uncle. Thank you, Adrian. You guys look so elegant and handsome too."
Adrian chuckled. "Really, you know what i choose everyone dresses Athi ".
Uncle smiled, his expression serious once more. "Alright, alright. Let's not waste any more time. We'll be late if we don't leave soon. Shall we?"
With a gentle hand, Uncle helped me into the carriage. I settled in beside Adrian, who flashed me a reassuring smile. Uncle and Arion sat opposite us, their faces set in determined lines.
As the carriage began to move, I felt a sense of trepidation wash over me. What lay ahead?
As the carriage came to a stop, the grandeur of the Emerald Palace unfolded before us. We stepped out of the carriage, and the announcer's voice boomed through the halls, echoing off the marble floors.
"His Excellency, Grand Duke Kyle, accompanied by his sons, Young Grand Duke Arion and Adrian, and Lady Athanasia, daughter of the esteemed Eckart family, have arrived!"
As we entered the grand hall, a sea of faces turned towards us, their eyes filled with curiosity and interest. I felt a flutter in my chest, my heart racing with nervousness. This was my first appearance in the social world, and I was acutely aware of the scrutiny.
After my parents' passing, I had withdrawn from public life, focusing on my household duties and succession studies. Few people had seen me, and even fewer knew me. I was a mystery, a recluse, and now, I was about to take center stage.
The room was filled with nobles, dignitaries, and members of the royal family. They all seemed to be staring at me, their eyes assessing me, judging me. I felt like a specimen under a microscope, my every move being analyzed and critiqued.
Arion, sensing my unease, placed a reassuring hand on my elbow, his eyes locked on mine. Uncle, too, offered a gentle smile, his presence a steady anchor in this turbulent sea.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the challenges ahead. I would not let my nerves get the better of me. I would stand tall, proud, and dignified, just as my parents had taught me.