The palace corridors buzzed with hushed voices as Lena walked with deliberate poise, her gown trailing softly on the polished marble floor. Though she kept her expression serene, she could feel the weight of the nobles' eyes following her every move. Their whispers floated around her, laced with judgment and curiosity.
"She carries herself better than expected."
"Still, she's hardly the match we imagined for the prince."
"Do you think she's even aware of the stakes?"
Lena gritted her teeth behind her composed mask. The court's scrutiny was relentless, but she was determined not to let them see her falter. She didn't belong to this world, but she couldn't afford to let that show.
Her first challenge as the crown princess wasn't the prince—it was the nobility.
Later that morning, Lena found herself in the grand hall, seated at the head of a long table alongside Queen Seraphina. The queen had summoned several noblewomen to formally introduce Lena to the court. Each woman came forward with a graceful bow and practiced smiles, offering their congratulations while subtly assessing her.
"You must tell us, Your Highness," one lady in a pale lavender gown said, her voice sweet but her eyes sharp, "what it's like to marry our prince. Surely, he's as charming in private as he is in court."
Lena smiled, though her heart pounded at the pointed question. She had no idea how to describe a man she barely knew. "His Highness carries himself with dignity and honor," she said diplomatically. "It is a privilege to be his partner in service to the kingdom."
The noblewoman's lips twitched, amused by the non-answer. Queen Seraphina's cool gaze shifted to Lena, as if waiting to see how she would handle the pressure.
The queen spoke, her voice smooth as silk. "Lady Alina has already shown herself to be a quick study. She understands the weight of her new role, even if she is still adjusting."
Lena dipped her head respectfully. "Your Majesty is too kind."
But beneath the surface, she knew the queen's words were a warning. Prove yourself quickly, or you will fail.
By the time the audience concluded, Lena was exhausted. She made her way back to the royal gardens, seeking a moment of peace. The sprawling greenery was her only sanctuary in the palace, a place where she could gather her thoughts without the ever-watchful eyes of the court.
But today, the gardens weren't empty.
As she turned a corner near the fountain, she found Prince Kaelen standing beneath a willow tree, his arms crossed as he spoke to a cloaked figure. The man's face was hidden, but the tension in Kaelen's stance was unmistakable.
Lena froze, her
instincts urging her to retreat. But something about the urgency in Kaelen's tone rooted her in place. She strained to hear the conversation, her heart pounding with both curiosity and dread.
"You're sure of this?" Kaelen's voice was low but firm, each word laced with authority.
The cloaked figure nodded. "The factions in the east are restless. They're questioning your allegiance—and now, with this marriage, some believe you've grown… soft."
Kaelen's expression hardened. "They'll regret underestimating me. This marriage changes nothing."
The figure hesitated before responding. "It may not change anything for you, but it's created a stir among your enemies. The princess is being watched as closely as you are. If she falters, it will be seen as your weakness."
Lena's stomach twisted. The weight of her position was heavier than she had imagined. She had suspected her marriage was more about politics than love, but hearing it confirmed made her chest tighten.
"I'll deal with it," Kaelen said, his tone icy. "Let them watch. If they make a move, they'll regret it."
The figure inclined his head, stepping back into the shadows. Within moments, he disappeared, leaving Kaelen alone beneath the willow tree.
Lena pressed herself against the stone wall, her breath quick and shallow. She had learned too much, and now she wasn't sure how to face Kaelen. She couldn't stay hidden for long, though. Before she could decide what to do, Kaelen's sharp voice broke through the silence.
"You might as well come out."
Lena stiffened. She had no choice now. With careful steps, she emerged from behind the wall, meeting Kaelen's piercing gaze. His face was unreadable, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—annoyance? Amusement?
"How long were you listening?" he asked coolly, his arms crossing over his chest.
"Long enough," she replied, refusing to let her voice waver. "Who was that man?"
Kaelen's jaw tightened. "None of your concern."
Lena took a step closer, her own frustration rising. "If it involves me, then it is my concern. I heard what he said—about me being a liability. About people watching my every move."
Kaelen's eyes narrowed, but he didn't deny it. "This marriage was never about you, Alina. It's about the crown. Everything else is secondary."
The coldness in his words stung more than Lena cared to admit, but she pushed past it. "If that's the case, then don't keep me in the dark. If I'm being watched, if I'm a potential weakness, I deserve to know."
Kaelen stepped closer, his imposing figure towering over her. "Do you think you can handle the truth? This isn't a game, Alina. The court will tear you apart if you show even the slightest weakness. And if you can't handle that pressure, you'll bring both of us down."
Lena refused to back down. She met his gaze head-on, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her. "Then teach me. If I'm going to survive in this world, I need to know the rules. Don't shut me out."
For a moment, Kaelen said nothing. His expression was a mask, but there was something unreadable in his eyes. Finally, he sighed, his shoulders relaxing ever so slightly.
"Very well," he said, his tone softer now but no less serious. "If you're so determined to play this game, I'll teach you. But know this—once you step into this world, there's no going back."
Lena nodded, her resolve firm. "I understand."
Kaelen studied her for a moment longer before turning away. "Meet me in the study tomorrow morning. If you want to learn, we start immediately."
As he walked away, Lena exhaled deeply, the tension leaving her body in a rush. She had taken a step deeper into Kaelen's world—a world of power, deception, and danger. But she couldn't turn back now.
If she was to survive as the crown princess, she would need to prove to everyone—including herself—that she was more than just a pawn.