The night following the wedding, the grand banquet hall felt like a distant memory. The opulence, the laughter, the clinking of glasses—all of it seemed so far removed from the quiet tension that now enveloped Lena. She had just been married to Prince Kaelen, but as she lay in her chambers, the reality of her situation weighed on her more than ever before.
She had done what was expected of her—played her part, made her vows—but the silence between her and Kaelen felt like an insurmountable wall. She had no idea what came next, or what role she was meant to play in the life of a prince who barely acknowledged her existence beyond their duty.
The soft glow of the moon filtered through her curtains, casting pale light over the lavish furnishings of her room. The palace had given her everything she could have ever dreamed of in terms of luxury, but it felt like an empty shell—beautiful, but hollow.
Lena sighed, sitting up in bed. She couldn't sleep. Her mind kept replaying the ceremony, Kaelen's cool gaze, the queen's calculating smile, and the feeling of being swallowed up by a world she didn't belong to.
Down the long, dimly lit hallways of the palace, Kaelen stood at the balcony of his private chambers, looking out over the vast expanse of the kingdom. The distant lights of the city twinkled like stars, but his thoughts were far from the view before him.
He had not anticipated the complexity of this arrangement, nor the presence of the woman who was now his wife. Alina—Lady Alina, he reminded himself, though he couldn't help but think of her as the stranger who had appeared in his life without warning. She had been nothing more than a pawn in the political chess game of the kingdom's elites, and yet, her sharpness, her composure, unsettled him in ways he wasn't prepared for.
He had expected a meek, docile bride—someone easy to control, someone who would fulfill her duties without question. But Lena was different. She was no innocent, no naïve noblewoman just thrilled to be wed to the prince. She had a fire to her, a quiet resilience that intrigued him.
Kaelen clenched his jaw, frustration rising within him. Why does this matter so much?
He had made his decision long before the wedding—he was bound by duty, by the expectations of his parents, and by the needs of the kingdom. He didn't need to understand her, and certainly didn't need to get involved with her emotionally. But despite himself, he felt drawn to her, and it disturbed him.
"Your Highness?"
The voice cut through his thoughts. Kaelen turned to see a familiar figure standing in the doorway of his chambers. It was Jorin, his most trusted advisor and friend since childhood. His brow was furrowed with concern, his eyes flickering toward the prince.
"Jorin," Kaelen greeted him, his tone flat. "What is it?"
"I've been monitoring the reaction from the court," Jorin began, stepping further into the room, "and there's been… some chatter about your marriage. The nobles are curious about Lady Alina. She hasn't been as compliant as we expected."
Kaelen sighed, running a hand through his hair. "She's not some docile girl I can order around. She's not like the others."
Jorin raised an eyebrow. "Is that a problem?"
Kaelen shot him a sharp look. "No. It's just… unexpected."
Jorin smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "She's not a pawn, Kaelen. You can't control her the way you do with others. You'll have to figure out how to work with her—if you want this marriage to work, that is."
Kaelen paused. If I want it to work. He had never considered that possibility. Everything had always been about the kingdom, about the future of the crown. Marriage, in his mind, had always been an obligation. But now, with Lena… there was a certain weight to the words that felt foreign.
"I don't need her to be compliant," Kaelen muttered, more to himself than to Jorin. "I just need her to be useful."
Jorin chuckled darkly. "Ah, the prince's usual pragmatic self. But she's already useful, Kaelen. Don't underestimate her. She's sharper than you think."
Kaelen narrowed his eyes. "You think I don't know that?"
Jorin didn't reply, but his gaze lingered on the prince for a moment longer before he nodded and stepped back. "Just remember, Kaelen, that you don't always have to bear the burden alone."
The prince didn't answer. He was lost in thought, still considering Jorin's words. As his advisor left, Kaelen was left alone with the weight of his responsibilities, his thoughts turning once again to his new wife. What am I supposed to do with you, Alina?
The next morning, Lena awoke to the sounds of palace activity once again. She was given the usual treatment—baths, breakfast, and the promise of more royal duties to come. Yet, as she moved through the motions, she couldn't help but feel the weight of her new life closing in on her.
Dressed in a simple yet elegant gown, Lena made her way toward the royal gardens, hoping for a moment of solitude. The hustle and bustle of palace life often made her feel like she was losing herself in the sea of expectations. But here, in the peace of the garden, there was at least some semblance of calm.
Lena took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of flowers as she walked through the lush grounds. She didn't know what was expected of her, but she had no choice but to try and fit in.
The garden was a place where the royal family often came to find peace, and today, it seemed to be deserted, save for a lone figure standing near the fountain. The sight of him caused her heart to skip a beat.
Prince Kaelen.
His back was to her as he stared down at the flowing water, but she couldn't help but notice the tension in his posture. She didn't know why he was there—he had never sought her company before—but for some reason, she felt drawn to approach him.
The moment she stepped closer, Kaelen's sharp eyes flicked over his shoulder, locking onto her with an intensity that made her pause.
"I didn't expect to see you here," he said coolly, his voice as impassive as always.
Lena nodded, trying to steady herself. "I needed some air."
He nodded slightly, though his gaze didn't waver from hers. For a moment, neither of them spoke. It was a rare silence, not one filled with awkwardness, but with a quiet understanding.
Then, Kaelen finally broke it. "You are… different from what I imagined."
Lena blinked in surprise. "What do you mean?"
He turned to face her fully now, his expression unreadable. "Most women I've encountered have been… eager to please. You, however, are not."
Her pulse quickened. What does he mean by that?
"I'm not here to please you," she said, her voice firm despite the nervous flutter in her chest. "I'm here to fulfill my duty."
Kaelen raised an eyebrow. "And is that all this is to you? A duty?"
Lena hesitated. "What else is there?"
His lips twitched slightly. "Perhaps that's something you'll figure out… in time."
The prince's words lingered in the air as Lena watched him, unsure of what to make of them. He wasn't just cold; there was something deeper, something he wasn't saying, something she had yet to understand. But one thing was certain: this marriage would be more complicated than she had ever anticipated.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, Lena couldn't help but wonder if she was truly ready for the game that had only just begun.