The moon hung high over the palace, its silvery light spilling across the empty corridors as Seraphina wandered aimlessly. Sleep evaded her, as it often did after moments of confrontation, and her thoughts were a tangled web of frustration and doubt.
Lorenzo De Luca. His name alone was enough to make her blood simmer, yet there was something about him—an undercurrent of mystery that gnawed at her curiosity no matter how hard she tried to ignore it.
She found herself in the palace gardens, the cool night air a balm to her restless mind. The soft rustle of leaves and the faint chirp of crickets filled the silence, but the tranquility didn't last.
"I didn't take you for a wanderer, Princess."
The voice, smooth and unmistakable, sent a shiver down her spine. She turned to see Lorenzo stepping out from the shadows, his expression unreadable.
"Are you following me now?" she asked, crossing her arms.
"Not intentionally," he said, his lips curving into that infuriating smirk. "But it seems fate has a sense of humor."
She rolled her eyes and turned away, but he didn't let her retreat.
"You're upset," he said, his tone softer now.
"Upset doesn't begin to cover it," she replied without looking at him. "My father makes decisions without consulting me, and now I'm expected to welcome a stranger into my home as if it's normal."
Lorenzo stepped closer, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. "You think I enjoy being here? Do you think I chose this arrangement willingly?"
The words caught her off guard, and she turned to face him. "What do you mean?"
For a moment, he hesitated, as if weighing the risk of revealing too much. Then he sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "This isn't just about politics or alliances, Princess. Your father approached me with a proposal—a way to ensure the safety and prosperity of his kingdom."
Her heart sank. "What proposal?"
Lorenzo's gaze held hers, steady and unyielding. "Your hand in marriage."
The air seemed to leave her lungs all at once. "What?"
"It's a strategic move," he continued, his voice devoid of its usual smugness. "Your father believes that uniting our families will protect the throne from its enemies. In return, my resources and influence will ensure your kingdom remains untouchable."
Her mind raced, anger and disbelief warring within her. "And you agreed to this?"
"I didn't have much of a choice," he said bluntly. "Refusing would have sparked unnecessary conflict, and I'm not in the habit of starting wars without cause."
Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. "So I'm just a pawn in this game? A piece to be moved for the sake of power?"
"Don't mistake me for someone who enjoys this," he said, his voice low. "I may be many things, but I don't force my hand where it's unwelcome."
"Then why are you even here?" she demanded.
His expression softened, and for the first time, she saw a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. "Because there are forces at play far greater than either of us. And if protecting my people and your kingdom means going through with this, then so be it."
The weight of his words settled over her, but it didn't ease the storm raging in her heart. She turned away, her voice trembling as she spoke.
"I won't be a prisoner in my own life, Mr. De Luca. Not for you, not for anyone."
"Then fight back," he said, his tone sharp yet almost encouraging. "If you truly believe you deserve more, prove it."
She looked back at him, her jaw set with determination. "I will."
As she walked away, her mind was already spinning with ways to reclaim control over her fate. But deep down, a part of her couldn't ignore the strange connection she felt to the man who had just turned her world upside down.
TBC...