Chapter 21
Weeks passed, but the palace did not forget.
The whispers had softened, yes—but like smoke, they lingered in every corridor, every glance, every quiet conversation that stopped the moment she walked in.
And the Queen…
The Queen had grown tired.
—
In the grand hall, nobles gathered as usual, dressed in silks and jewels, their voices low but eager.
Then—
The doors opened.
A royal guard stepped forward, voice echoing:
"By order of Her Majesty, the Queen—The Seventh Prince shall be wed."
Silence.
Then chaos.
"To who?!"
"Finally—!"
"It must be someone worthy this time—"
"She wouldn't risk another scandal…"
Her breath caught.
Wed.
The word echoed painfully in her chest.
She stood frozen among the trainees, her fingers slowly tightening around the edge of the table.
"No…" she whispered.
Beside her, Sky stiffened. "This isn't right…"
Brian, standing a few steps away, said nothing—but his gaze darkened slightly.
Selene gasped softly, placing a hand over her mouth. "Oh no… this can't be happening…"
But her eyes…
For just a moment—
They gleamed.
—
The Queen's voice followed, calm and authoritative:
"The chosen bride is of noble standing, refined character, and unquestionable reputation. The union will strengthen the image of the crown."
A pause.
Then the final blow:
"The decision is final."
—
The hall erupted again, but she heard none of it.
Her ears rang.
Her chest felt tight.
And before she even realized it—
She was moving.
Running.
—
"Hey! Wait—!" Sky called after her.
But she didn't stop.
Through long corridors, past startled servants, past guards who barely had time to react—
Until she reached the one place she knew he would be.
The garden.
—
He stood there, just as before.
Still.
Silent.
Like he had been waiting.
Her steps slowed as she approached, her breath uneven.
"…Is it true?" she asked.
He didn't turn immediately.
"…Yes."
One word.
Cold.
Unshaken.
Her heart clenched.
"You're getting married?" she pressed.
"Yes."
No hesitation.
No explanation.
Just acceptance.
Her voice trembled despite herself. "And you're just… okay with it?"
Now he turned.
His gaze landed on her, sharp and unreadable.
"I do not oppose decisions that benefit the throne."
The words felt distant.
Detached.
Like she meant nothing.
"What about me?" she asked, her voice barely steady.
A pause.
Then—
"What about you?"
It felt like the ground shifted beneath her.
"You said I belong to you," she said, her voice breaking slightly.
His eyes didn't waver.
"You do."
Her breath caught.
"Then why are you marrying someone else?" she demanded.
"Because the Queen has decided."
His tone didn't change.
Didn't soften.
Didn't care.
—
She took a step closer.
"Then fight it," she said, desperation slipping through. "Just once. Say no. Do something."
Silence.
The wind moved softly around them.
"I do not fight unnecessary battles," he said.
Her chest tightened painfully.
"Unnecessary?" she repeated.
"You bring instability."
The words were quiet.
But they cut deeper than anything else.
—
She stared at him.
Hurt.
Disbelief.
Something breaking quietly inside her.
"I didn't do anything wrong…" she whispered.
"That is irrelevant."
And just like that—
Everything she had hoped for…
Crumbled.
—
From the distance, unseen—
Selene stood behind a pillar.
Watching.
Listening.
Smiling softly.
—
And within the palace walls—
Preparations had already begun.
The Queen would not be challenged.
Not even by her own son.