(Damien's POV)
The throne room felt heavier than usual, though the sunlight streamed through the tall, arched windows. I sat behind the ornate desk, papers strewn before me, yet my mind refused to focus on them. I had tried, tried to sift through the reports of the villages, the letters from distant nobles, and the constant reminders of what needed to be done but every time my eyes skimmed the text, my thoughts drifted elsewhere.
Elara had been here, and for a time, her presence had eased the weight of responsibility. But now she was gone, returning to her own lands, and I was left alone in the quiet buzz of the palace. Alone, except for the shadows of my own thoughts.
Adrian. I couldn't stop thinking about him.
We hadn't met at the tree in the woods for weeks now. He hadn't written. I wondered if he was safe, if he was well, if he even thought of me as I thought of him. But my worry had to stay buried, locked away behind the mask of duty, because there was no time to dwell on what I couldn't control.
Blackthorn village was slowly recovering from the devastation caused by the vampires. Duchess Elara had done much to help the rebuilding efforts, offering supplies and skilled labor. For that, I was grateful. She cared as much about the kingdom as I did, perhaps even more than I sometimes admitted to myself. But even with the village tending back to life, there were more pressing matters at hand.
Selene.
Her marriage loomed on the horizon. She had been betrothed at birth to the Prince of the Obsidian Pack, a union designed to cement an alliance between our kingdoms.
Our people needed this alliance, the Obsidian Kingdom had the military strength we lacked, while we had the land, resources, and strategic borders they desired.
And yet, Selene still acted like a child. She hadn't grasped the weight of what was about to happen, the responsibilities of being a princess, a queen. I had to prepare her, for there would be no going back once the Obsidian envoys arrived. She needed to understand that the marriage was not about love but survival, strategy, and the welfare of our people.
I rose from my chair and called for the council. Four of the wisest elders, those who called themselves the Sable Council, were summoned. Hours later, they arrived, dressed in robes of deep crimson trimmed with silver embroidery, each bearing the insignia of their respective roles. Their eyes were keen, faces lined with wisdom and experience, and the weight of the kingdom seemed to bend slightly in their presence.
"They're here," I said, motioning for them to stand at ease. "You needn't be so formal. I've already finished reviewing the documents I had prepared while waiting."
They nodded, bowing deeply before straightening. "Your Majesty," one began, "why summon us at this hour?"
I exhaled, folding my hands over the edge of the desk. "It concerns my sister, Selene, and her upcoming marriage."
There was a murmur among them. One elder, Elder Garrick, stepped forward. "Ah, yes. The Prince of the Obsidian Pack. As we've discussed, it is essential for the alliance, and it will bring much-needed stability to our borders."
Another, Elder Thane, added, "I have heard that the Obsidian King, King Roderic, will be stepping down soon. His son, Prince Alaric, will ascend to the throne. The timing aligns well with this union, strengthening our military ties."
"Yes," said Elder Cailen, stroking his long, white beard. "And with Selene's hand, our combined forces will ensure no kingdom dares threaten us from the north. The alliance will secure both our territories, and it is vital we fortify the border immediately, even before negotiations formally begin."
I nodded, listening carefully. "It is imperative we present a united front. The Obsidian Prince must see that we are committed to this alliance and that our people respect the arrangement."
"Of course, Your Majesty," Elder Garrick said. "And the Obsidian King's wife, Queen Selara, is known for her wisdom and tact. She will aid in easing Selene into her role. Still, we must consider the political nuances carefully."
I agreed. The Obsidian Kingdom had always been quiet, cautious, and reserved, rarely engaging in overt conflicts. Yet their power was undeniable. Our kingdom needed their military backing, and we had our own resources, fertile land, trade routes, and intelligence networks that would complement their strengths. The alliance was necessary, whether Selene liked it or not.
And then she spoke.
"And what if I don't want to get married to him?"
Selene's voice, firm and angry, cut through the room. All heads turned, and even the elders stiffened in surprise. She stood at the door, frowning, her eyes sharp, her arms crossed.
Elder Thane stepped forward, frowning. "Your Highness… this marriage has been decided since birth. It is not negotiable."
Selene's voice grew sharper. "It was decided by Father! And he didn't ask me. Why should I be forced to marry someone I've never met? Someone I don't know?"
I lifted a hand, signaling the elder to stop.
"Selene, it has already been decided. This is not about personal desire but the welfare of the kingdom. You cannot refuse."
Her frown deepened, lips pressed tight. "Why does it always have to be about the kingdom? What about what I want?"
I softened my voice, though I remained firm. "Being born into a royal family means your choices are never solely your own. You must think of the people, of the safety and prosperity of your home. This marriage is a necessity."
Her eyes glistened with frustration, and she turned on her heel, storming from the chamber before any further words could be exchanged. The door slammed behind her with a finality that made the room shiver.
One of the elders turned to me gravely. "This cannot fail, Your Majesty. If she refuses, the kingdom's reputation will be tarnished. Prince Alaric must have her hand. There is no alternative."
All four nodded in unison.
"I know," I said, exhaling slowly. "I will speak with her. She will marry."
They bowed and withdrew, leaving me to the quiet that always followed council meetings.
I handed the documents I'd reviewed to a servant and instructed them to deliver them to Kael, asking him to check on the villages and ensure the people's needs were met. The servant bowed and hurried off.
I sank back into my chair, rubbing my temples. The weight of the crown pressed on my shoulders more heavily than any war I had fought. My thoughts flickered to Adrian, to Selene, to the future of the kingdom. So many decisions, so little time.
Finally, I stood, determined to speak with Selene. As I approached her chambers, I heard soft sniffles through the thick door.
"Leave us," I said to the servants standing outside, and they did, bowing and retreating silently.
I knocked lightly.
Before she could respond, I opened the door. Her eyes were red, tears still lingering, and her shoulders trembled slightly.
"Are you crying because I raised my voice earlier? I'm sorry," I said gently.
"No," she whispered, looking away. "It's because… they want me to marry someone I don't want to. You all want me to"
I stepped closer, lowering my voice. "It's not about your personal feelings. This marriage… it's for the people. For the kingdom. For the alliance. Your role as a princess comes with responsibilities that sometimes outweigh personal desire."
"I can't marry someone I've never met. Someone I don't love," she said, her voice trembling but firm.
"This is not about love," I said. "It's about duty. You may come to know him. Perhaps even grow to care for one another after the wedding. But this is bigger than either of us. Do you understand?"
Selene frowned. "It's easy for you to say, Damien. You're not the one marrying him."
I exhaled, running a hand down my face. "I know. But this is the path that has been set. You are to marry Prince Alaric, and there is no other choice."
Her eyes narrowed. "What if… what if I'm already in love with someone else?"
I paused. "Who could that possibly be?"
"I don't know! I'm just asking a question," she snapped.
I stepped back, the weight of my own frustration pressing down. "I hope you're joking. We cannot go against the wishes of father now. We cannot risk undoing everything."
I turned to leave. "Stop crying. Prepare your mind for what is to come. You will marry Prince Alaric, Selene. It must happen."
The door closed behind me.
Outside, Kael was waiting. His posture stiff, his expression tight, though I could see the worry in his eyes.
"What are you doing here? Did Selene send for you?" I asked, eyeing him closely.
Kael stammered. "I… I came about the documents you sent. I wanted to discuss them. Someone mentioned you might be at Selene's chamber."
I nodded. "Come with me. We'll talk on the way."
As we walked toward my chambers, Kael pointed out discrepancies in the documents. Some allocations for the village were miscalculated, resources for the farmlands were insufficient, and certain repairs for the bridges had been overlooked. I reviewed each point, realizing my distraction had led to mistakes.
"Thank you for noticing," I said, handing the papers back. "Do whatever you think is best. I trust your judgment."
Kael bowed and excused himself.
Alone, I returned to my chamber, sinking into the chair behind my desk. The room felt suffocating, the weight of duty pressing like stone on my chest. A knock at the door startled me.
"Enter," I called.
A servant stepped in, holding a folded letter. "Your Majesty," she said, bowing, "I found this outside the palace gate while checking the grounds. It was addressed to you, so I thought to bring it immediately."
I took it from her hands, noting the familiar scent of musk and smoke. The seal was unmistakable, a deep crimson wax stamped with the insignia of the Blackthorn vampires. My stomach tightened.
"Leave the room," I said, my eyes scanning the letter instantly. The smell, Adrian.
Alone, I opened it carefully, heart thundering.
Adrian.
The name lingered in the air like a whisper of the past, and my mind raced, knowing whatever was written inside could change everything.