The days that followed were a blur of preparation. Lena—now fully assuming her role as Lady Alina—was caught in a whirlwind of fittings, meetings, and countless instructions about the upcoming wedding. The palace was filled with bustling servants, all rushing to ensure that every detail was perfect. The royal halls were decked in flowers, tapestries, and golden ornaments that made everything look like a dream. But for Lena, it all felt like a gilded cage. No matter how beautiful it all was, it didn't change the fact that she was a stranger here, caught in a world she barely understood, bound to a prince she had never known.
The only constant, aside from the tension in the air, was Prince Kaelen.
He was always there. Always watching. Always silent.
Despite his cold exterior, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to him than met the eye. Every time they crossed paths, it felt like there was an unspoken challenge between them, a silent game of wills. He would observe her with his piercing gaze, his words measured and distant, as if he were still unsure of what to make of her. But he never truly opened up—always keeping his thoughts hidden behind a fortress of silence and duty.
Lena couldn't deny that she was curious. What is it that makes him so closed off?
The morning of the wedding dawned bright and crisp, with the sun casting a warm glow over the palace grounds. Lena sat before a large vanity mirror, her hands shaking slightly as the maids worked quickly to finish her preparations. The intricate gown she was wearing—an ivory dress made of delicate silk and embroidered lace—was both beautiful and suffocating. She barely recognized herself in the reflection, the woman staring back at her now the epitome of a royal bride.
The maids finished adjusting the final touches, securing the veil in her hair and adding layers of jewelry that glittered in the soft light. One of the maids stepped back, her face filled with approval. "Lady Alina, you are breathtaking. The prince will be pleased."
Lena couldn't respond. Her throat was too tight, the weight of what was about to happen pressing down on her chest. She was about to marry a man she barely knew, a man who had barely spoken a word to her since they first met. What was she even supposed to expect from this marriage?
"You will be ready soon," the maid said gently, pulling Lena out of her thoughts. "The ceremony is in the royal chapel."
Lena nodded, taking a deep breath. Focus.
As she stood, the enormity of the situation hit her once more. This wasn't just about her and Kaelen. It was about two powerful families, two lineages, uniting for the sake of the kingdom. There were too many people depending on this marriage for it to fail, and Lena felt the weight of that responsibility settling on her shoulders. She wasn't just a bride—she was a symbol, a piece of a much larger puzzle.
She glanced at the door, her heart pounding in anticipation. It was time.
The royal chapel was grand beyond imagination. Tall marble columns lined the walls, and the golden chandeliers glistened above, casting soft light over the rows of guests seated on either side. The atmosphere was one of reverence, a sense of awe hanging in the air as Lena entered the space, flanked by her maids.
Her gaze instinctively searched for him.
There he was.
Prince Kaelen stood at the altar, his back straight, his expression unreadable. He was dressed in the regal attire of a crown prince, a deep blue velvet cloak draped over his shoulders, gold accents glinting in the light. His presence was commanding, almost overwhelming, but there was a coolness to him that kept people at a distance. His gaze was fixed ahead, and for a moment, Lena wondered if he even noticed her.
But as she stepped forward, his eyes flicked toward her. Their gazes locked for a fleeting moment, and for the first time since she arrived in this world, she saw something shift behind his stoic exterior. It was brief, almost imperceptible, but Lena couldn't ignore the way his jaw tightened, the way his eyes seemed to darken for just a fraction of a second.
She couldn't help but feel a strange pang of something—was it guilt? Regret? Fear?
But then, as quickly as it appeared, the moment was gone, replaced by his usual, emotionless mask. He gave a slight nod toward her, and she stepped up to stand beside him, the tension between them palpable.
The ceremony began, and though Lena tried to focus on the words being spoken by the high priest, she couldn't help but feel the weight of Kaelen's presence beside her. His silence was deafening, and it felt like every step of the ceremony was drawing her closer to an unknown future.
At last, the moment arrived—the moment when she was to pledge herself to him.
The high priest turned to her with a solemn expression. "Lady Alina, do you take Prince Kaelen as your lawfully wedded husband?"
Lena's throat tightened, her heart racing in her chest. The entire room seemed to hold its breath, waiting for her answer. She glanced at Kaelen, his sharp eyes meeting hers with an intensity that left her feeling exposed.
What was she supposed to say? She didn't know him. She didn't know how he felt. Was this just a duty for him? Was she just a means to an end?
But she knew the answer, even as it felt like a weight in her chest. This wasn't just about love or attraction—it was about survival, about duty. She had no choice but to play the role assigned to her.
"I do," Lena said, her voice steady, though her hands trembled at her sides.
The high priest nodded, and with that simple affirmation, the binding contract was made. The room erupted into applause, and Lena felt a strange emptiness settle inside her. She had married a man she didn't understand, and now, she was trapped in a life that had been decided for her long before she ever stepped foot in this world.
But Kaelen's eyes never left hers. And despite the coldness in his gaze, there was something unreadable in the depths of those eyes—something that made Lena's heart race and her mind swirl with questions.
Later that evening, as the wedding feast carried on in the grand hall, Lena found herself standing alone in a quiet corner, trying to gather her thoughts. She had barely had time to process everything that had happened, and now she was expected to play the role of the dutiful wife.
The sound of footsteps approached, and she turned to see Kaelen walking toward her, his cloak flowing behind him. His expression was as inscrutable as ever, but this time, there was something more in the way he looked at her—something deeper, something that made her heart skip a beat.
"You did well today," Kaelen said, his voice low.
Lena stiffened, unsure of what to say. "Thank you, Your Highness," she replied, her tone polite but distant. She was trying to keep the walls up, trying not to show how disoriented she still felt.
He regarded her for a moment, his gaze thoughtful. "You're different from what I expected."
Lena blinked, surprised by the remark. "Different how?"
He hesitated, as if choosing his words carefully. "You're not as naive as I thought you would be. I expected more resistance from you."
Lena's chest tightened. He thinks I'm naive? She didn't know whether to be insulted or flattered. "I'm not a fool, Your Highness," she replied, her voice cool.
Kaelen's lips twitched, the barest hint of a smile forming before it disappeared as quickly as it came. "I see that. We may find common ground after all."
The words hung in the air between them, and for the first time, Lena wondered if Kaelen's cold demeanor hid something more—something that might be worth uncovering.
But for now, that was all she could focus on. Surviving the wedding had been only the first step. Now, she had to navigate this new life, and the enigmatic prince by her side was both a challenge and an enigma she couldn't ignore.
Her fate was sealed, and the game was just beginning.