The Grand Ceremony
The royal capital of Canglang Empire had never seen such an extravagant event before. The wedding of David Haipoli, the heir to the empire's most powerful merchant family, and Aisha Bismarck, the granddaughter of the imperial chancellor, was to be the most magnificent celebration in decades.
The entire city was adorned with banners of gold and red, symbolizing prosperity and union. Nobles from across the empire arrived in lavish carriages, while wealthy merchants and foreign dignitaries filled the great hall of the imperial palace.
But amidst the grandeur, there was tension—a hidden unease that lingered beneath the surface of the festivities.
David himself, despite the regal blue and silver robes he wore, felt no joy for this day. He had accepted the political marriage as a calculated move, but something about Aisha's demeanor made him uneasy. She played her role well, appearing like the perfect bride, but David could see the flicker of hesitation in her eyes.
And then there was Bismarck, standing at the highest balcony overlooking the ceremony. His face was calm, composed. But David knew that behind that mask, the chancellor was plotting something far more dangerous than anyone could see.
---
The Wedding Vows
As the ceremony began, the imperial priests conducted the sacred rites. David and Aisha knelt before the grand altar, their hands gently intertwined as tradition dictated.
"Do you, David Haipoli, take Aisha Bismarck to be your lawful wife, to honor and protect her until the end of your days?"
David's voice was steady as he responded, "I do."
The priest turned to Aisha.
"And do you, Aisha Bismarck, take David Haipoli as your husband, to stand beside him in all trials to come?"
There was a brief pause—so faint that only David noticed it.
Then, she spoke. "I do."
The crowd erupted in applause. The union was sealed.
But just as the rings were exchanged and the vows completed, David felt a chilling sensation run down his spine.
Something was wrong.
---
The Betrayal Unfolds
As the grand feast began, the great hall was filled with laughter, music, and wine. The nobles toasted to the newlyweds, merchants discussed future alliances, and performers entertained the guests with elaborate dances.
David, still on edge, observed the room carefully. He had learned long ago that the most dangerous moves were made when the world was distracted.
And then—it happened.
A thunderous explosion erupted from the outer courtyard. The laughter turned into screams as the palace trembled. Within moments, armed soldiers stormed into the hall, their blades glinting under the chandeliers.
The Haipoli guards, caught off guard, barely had time to react before the enemy soldiers began their merciless assault.
David instantly drew the ceremonial sword from his waist, his mind shifting from suspicion to pure survival.
"A coup!" someone shouted. "We're under attack!"
The imperial guards, rather than intervening, stood still—silent, watching.
David's blood turned cold. This was not a foreign invasion. This was treason. This was orchestrated.
And then he saw her.
Aisha, standing before him, gripping a dagger hidden within her wedding robes.
Her expression was unreadable, but her words shattered any illusion he had left.
"I'm sorry, David," she whispered. "It was never my choice."
The truth crashed over him like a storm—this wedding, this alliance, had never been about peace. It had been a ploy. A trap set by Bismarck himself.
David's own wife had delivered him to his enemies.
---
Escape into the Abyss
The great hall was now a battlefield. Nobles fled in terror, trampled underfoot as soldiers clashed. The once-festive banquet was now a scene of blood and chaos.
David's father, Duke Haipoli, fought desperately alongside their remaining guards, but the ambush had been too well-planned. One by one, his allies fell around him.
"David! Get out of here!" his father bellowed, cutting down an enemy soldier. "You must survive!"
David hesitated for the briefest moment. But he knew his father was right. If he stayed, he would die. And if he died, his family's name would perish with him.
With a final glance toward Aisha—who now stood frozen amidst the chaos, torn between duty and regret—David turned and ran.
Slashing his way through the panicked crowd, he reached the servant corridors, where his most loyal bodyguard awaited.
"This way, my lord!" the guard urged.
Together, they fled through the hidden passageways of the palace. Behind them, the fires of betrayal raged, consuming everything David had ever known.
As he reached the outskirts of the city, an arrow whistled through the air—piercing his shoulder.
Pain exploded through his body, but he clenched his jaw, refusing to stop. He could not afford to stop. Not now. Not yet.
His vision blurred. The city lights faded behind him as he stumbled into the dark wilderness beyond the capital.
Alone. Wounded. Hunted. Betrayed.
But not broken.
Even as darkness threatened to take him, David Haipoli swore a single oath to himself—
"I will return. And I will make them pay."