Edmond walked into his chambers. The doors opened with a low creak, and the warm glow of candlelight spilled across the hallway before the guards pulled the doors shut behind him. The scent of perfume drifted through the air. Soft voices murmured inside the room.
Bianca stood beside the large mirror, adjusting the folds of a pale silk gown around Sonia's shoulders. The dress shimmered faintly in the candlelight, threaded with silver embroidery that caught every flicker of flame.
Servant girls moved quietly around them, carrying ribbons, jewelry, and small boxes filled with cosmetics. The room had the restless energy of preparation.
Tonight was not an ordinary evening. Tonight was the engagement ceremony.
Edmond stepped further inside. At first he simply watched. Bianca was focused on her work, her hands moving with calm precision as she tied a ribbon behind Sonia's neck. One servant brushed Sonia's long hair, another arranged the hem of her dress.
Everything looked perfect. Too perfect.
And that was when Edmond noticed it. Sonia's reflection in the mirror. Her face was still. Not the calm stillness of a young woman preparing for a royal celebration.
It was something else. Something disturbing.
Her eyes looked distant.
Edmond frowned slightly. He took a few steps closer. And bent down, resting both of his hands on Sonia's wheelchair.
"Sweetheart," he said quietly.
Bianca paused, glancing at him briefly before returning her attention to the dress. Edmond studied Sonia carefully. "What is wrong?"
She did not respond. He shifted closer, stopping behind her chair. "You do not look happy."
Sonia slowly lifted her gaze. Through the mirror, her eyes met his. There was no hesitation. "I do not want to be engaged to the Prince."
The words landed in the room like a dropped blade. Everything stopped.
The servant brushing Sonia's hair froze mid-stroke. The girl holding the jewelry box went still, her fingers trembling slightly. Even the candle flames seemed to flicker more quietly.
Bianca's head snapped toward her daughter. For a moment she stared at Sonia as though she had misheard.
Then her hand shot forward. She covered Sonia's mouth quickly. "Do not say that again," Bianca whispered sharply.
Her eyes darted toward the servants. Fear. Pure fear sprung on in her face.
But Edmond did not move in panic. He simply stood there for a moment, looking at his daughter.
Then he stepped forward. He knelt in front of her. His movements were slow, controlled. He gently reached up and removed Bianca's hand from Sonia's lips.
"Why did you say that?" he asked. His voice remained calm.
Sonia's eyes hardened. "He is a scum." The words came out sharp. "A dubious and scheming brat."
The insult hung in the air.
Bianca gasped softly. Her head turned toward the servants again. The girls looked terrified.
Bianca immediately moved. "Everyone out," she said quickly.
The servants hurried toward the door, nearly stumbling over each other as they rushed out of the room.
Bianca followed them. She opened the door, looked both ways down the corridor, and then pushed the door shut firmly.
The heavy wood closed with a dull thud. She turned the lock. Only then did she breathe again.
Inside the room, Edmond had not moved. He remained kneeling before his daughter..His expression had not changed. "And how did you come to that conclusion?" he asked quietly.
Sonia did not hesitate. "I went to his room." Bianca stiffened. Sonia's eyes remained fixed on her father. "I saw him fucking another woman."
The words fell heavily into the silence.
Edmond exhaled sharply. For a brief moment, his composure cracked.
He looked away. His jaw tightened. The room felt smaller now.
Bianca stared at Sonia in disbelief. "Sonia," she whispered, horrified..But Sonia continued watching her father.
Waiting for his response.
Edmond rubbed his forehead slowly. Then he lowered his hand. "Most princes are spoiled," he said at last.
His voice sounded steady again. "Many women want them. So they end up behaving carelessly."
He looked back at her. "But he will grow up." He waved his hand dismissively. "They always do."
Sonia's head moved slowly from side to side.
"No."
The single word was quiet but firm. "That is not all."
Edmond's brows drew together.
Sonia's fingers tightened around the fabric of her gown. Her voice grew colder. "He told his woman something."
The room went silent again.
Sonia stared straight at him. "He told her that he cannot see me as more than a cripple."
Bianca inhaled sharply.
Sonia's voice did not tremble. "He said he is only marrying me because he needs the union to ascend the throne."
Silence returned.
Heavy.
Edmond felt it press down on his chest. For the first time, he looked at his daughter differently. Not as a noble preparing for a ceremony.
But as a wounded child. He could see the anger burning behind her eyes.
And the humiliation. His daughter had gone to the prince's chamber expecting something.
Perhaps respect. Perhaps kindness. Instead she had heard herself reduced to a political tool.
Edmond felt something tighten in his throat. But the weight of another thing pressed down harder.
His oath.
The promise he had made long ago. The words he had sworn before the king.
They echoed now in his mind.
Edmond slowly stood. "I will talk to the king about it," he said.
His tone returned to its firm steadiness. "There will be no other woman."
He straightened the cuffs of his sleeves. "And he is going to focus on you." He turned toward the door.
But before he could take a step, Sonia grabbed his hand.
Her grip was tight. Edmond stopped. He looked down at her. Her eyes burned with desperation. "Cancel the engagement," she said.
Her voice cracked slightly. "I do not love him." Her fingers tightened further. "And I do not want him."
For a moment Edmond did not move. He stared at her. Then something in his expression hardened.
He turned sharply. "This isn't about you." His voice rose slightly. "This is not about love." The words cut through the room.
Bianca looked down at the floor.
Edmond stepped closer to Sonia again. His eyes were stern now. "I have sworn you over to him," he said. His voice carried the weight of iron. "Even before you were born."
Sonia's grip loosened.
Edmond bent down again so their eyes were level. His voice dropped lower. "But whether you like him or not…" His gaze did not waver. "…your engagement to Ryli must continue."
Sonia slowly leaned back into the chair. The fight drained from her shoulders. Her eyes closed tightly.
She knew that tone. She had heard it before. Whenever her father spoke like that, nothing could move him.
Not anger. Not tears. Not even love. It meant only one thing.
Duty.
Edmond watched her quietly. For a moment the hardness in his face softened.
He reached forward and brushed a strand of hair away from her forehead.
Then he kissed her gently there. "I am sorry," he murmured. His voice was quiet now.
But firm.
"You know the motto of our house." He straightened again. His expression returned to the calm strength of a nobleman. "A Woodland never breaks his or her oath."