Chapter 4: The Royal Duties
Eliana and Ryker walked into the grand dining hall, where the rest of the royal family was waiting. The room was filled with the sound of clinking silverware and the hum of conversation.
Eliana's parents, the king and queen, smiled warmly at her, but concern flickered in their eyes. They knew that Eliana had not wanted to marry Ryker, but they had insisted that it was necessary for the good of the kingdom.
Ryker greeted them with a charming smile, and Eliana's parents welcomed him warmly. But Eliana sensed tension beneath the surface. Her parents were trying to make the best of a bad situation.
As they sat down to breakfast, Eliana struggled to hide her unease. Ryker seemed carefree, chatting with her parents as if they were old friends. But Eliana knew that he was just pretending.
She tried to join in the conversation, but her mind kept wandering back to her situation. She felt trapped and suffocated by her loveless marriage.
After breakfast, they headed to a meeting with royal advisors. Eliana's parents had stressed the importance of presenting a united front. They had to show the kingdom that they were strong and stable.
As they walked to the meeting room, Ryker turned to Eliana. "You're doing well, my dear," he said. "You're a natural princess."
Eliana forced a smile onto her face, biting back her retort. She didn't feel like a natural princess. She felt like a prisoner.
The meeting was a blur of discussions and decisions. Eliana tried to focus, but her mind wandered to her prison-like marriage. She felt trapped and suffocated.
As the meeting ended, Ryker smiled at Eliana. "We make a good team, don't you think?" he asked.
Eliana's smile felt like a mask. "Yes, of course," she said. But she didn't mean it.
As they left the meeting room, Eliana felt trapped, suffocating under the weight of her royal duties and loveless marriage. She didn't know how much longer she could keep up the charade.
Ryker seemed to sense her unease. He put a hand on her shoulder, his grip tightening. "You're mine now," he whispered. "Don't forget it."
Eliana felt a surge of fear. She was trapped, and she didn't know how to escape.
As they walked back to their chambers, Eliana couldn't help but wonder what the future held. Would she be stuck in this loveless marriage forever?
She felt a sense of desperation wash over her. She had to find a way out of this situation.
But for now, she was trapped.
Ryker's grip on her shoulder tightened, and Eliana felt a surge of fear. She was at his mercy.
As they reached their chambers, Ryker pushed open the door and gestured for Eliana to enter. She did, feeling like a prisoner.
Ryker followed her, his eyes gleaming with triumph. Eliana felt a sense of dread wash over her.
She knew that she was trapped, and she didn't know how to escape.
As Ryker approached her, Eliana felt a surge of fear. She didn't know what he was capable of.
But she knew that she had to be careful. She couldn't let her guard down.
Ryker's eyes seemed to bore into her soul, and Eliana felt a shiver run down her spine.
She knew that she was in grave danger.
But she refused to give up. She would find a way out of this situation, no matter what it took.
Eliana steeled herself for what was to come. She knew that it wouldn't be easy, but she was determined to survive.
As Ryker reached out to her, Eliana felt a surge of fear. But she stood her ground, refusing to back down.
She knew that she was trapped, but she was determined to find a way out.
And so, she began to play the game. She pretended to be the dutiful princess, all the while looking for a way to escape.
It was a delicate balancing act, but Eliana was determined to succeed.
She would find a way out of this loveless marriage, no matter what it took.
And so, the game began.