The council chamber was a cold, imposing room, its stone walls adorned with banners that bore the royal crest. Seraphina entered hesitantly, her father already seated at the head of the long table. Lorenzo stood off to the side, his sharp suit a stark contrast to the traditional garb of the royal advisors.
"Ah, Seraphina," her father greeted, his voice tinged with false warmth. "You're just in time."
"For what exactly?" she asked, her tone clipped.
"The finalization of the arrangement with the De Luca family," he said as though it were a mundane matter.
Her stomach churned, but she forced herself to maintain a calm exterior. She took her seat, her gaze flickering to Lorenzo, who gave nothing away.
An advisor began outlining the terms of the alliance—protection for the kingdom, shared resources, and, of course, her marriage to Lorenzo. Every word felt like a nail driving deeper into her chest.
"Do I have no say in this?" she interrupted, her voice trembling but firm.
The room fell silent. Her father's expression hardened. "This is for the good of the kingdom, Seraphina. You must understand the sacrifices required of royalty."
"I understand sacrifice," she said, her eyes burning with unshed tears. "But this isn't just about the kingdom. It's about my life."
Lorenzo's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Perhaps the princess has a point."
All eyes turned to him, and Seraphina stared in shock.
"While I agree with the necessity of this alliance," he continued, "forcing her hand won't strengthen it. Trust must be earned, not demanded."
Her father frowned, clearly displeased, but he didn't argue. "Your point is noted, Mr. De Luca. However, time is not a luxury we have."
The meeting continued, but Seraphina couldn't focus. Her thoughts raced, her emotions a whirlwind of anger, fear, and something she couldn't quite name.
Later, as the council dispersed, she found herself walking beside Lorenzo.
"Why did you defend me back there?" she asked, unable to hide her curiosity.
He glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "Because it's true. Forcing you into this won't help either of us."
"Yet you're still going along with it," she pointed out.
"I don't have a choice," he admitted. "But that doesn't mean I agree with the way it's being handled."
For a moment, they walked in silence. Then he stopped, turning to face her.
"If you want to fight for your freedom, do it," he said. "But know that there are forces at play far bigger than either of us. This isn't just a marriage, Seraphina. It's a war."
His words sent a chill down her spine, but they also lit a spark of determination. She didn't know what the future held, but one thing was certain—she wouldn't go down without a fight.
TBC...