"AACCHHOO!"
The sound startled the horses, and one of them snorted, stomping its hooves against the dirt path.
"Are you all right, Elric?"
The man in question pulled lightly on the reins. "It's nothing," he replied.
The other, a tall man with messy auburn hair and a grin too wide, chuckled under his breath. "Right. The mighty Duke Aldenar can't get sick anyway. Probably just someone gossiping about you."
Elric arched his eyebrow. "Gossiping?"
"You soon-to-be wife, maybe." The man flashed a grin at him. "Wondering when his prince in black horse will arrive."
That earned him a faint twitch at the corner of Elric's mouth. A dangerous sign, considering how stoic he usually was.
"Well, I'll be damned," the man whistled. "You're smiling. Are you blushing too, my lord?"
"Shut it, Zachren."
"Ah, come on, that's not fair," Zachren laughed, clearly enjoying himself. "I never thought I'd live to see the day the Duke turns this soft."
Elric's eyes narrowed, but his lips kept that faint upward curl. "I really wished Rion was the one being here with me."
"Hey!" Zachren protested. "Don't look so disappointed."
The two of them shared a brief laugh. Then the conversation died down and for a while, only the sound of their breathing and the faint clinking of armor filled the silence.
Elric's thoughts, however, were far from quiet.
He was on his way to collect his bride, to see her again, after months of arrangements and waiting. Duke Vernhardt had accepted his proposal faster than he'd anticipated, almost suspiciously so. But Elric hadn't questioned it. He'd sent the offer himself, after all. It was his idea to propose, his hand that signed the letter, his heart that decided.
That was pretty funny for him. He'd never been the type to believe in love. Not to mention love at first sight. But how the universe loved to prove him wrong.
He'd met countless noblewomen before. They had everything, bright, beautiful, graceful, all the same shade of dull in his memory. They smiled because they either wanted his name, wealth, or maybe a little bit of his land. None of them saw him. Not really.
But her… that woman. That one conversation.
He could still remember how she looked that day. She wore a plain, simple gray dress. Her beautiful blue eyes pierced through his soul, and there was a slight crease between her brows when she thought he wasn't listening.
Cute.
He hadn't even caught her name properly. Yet somehow, that single meeting had carved itself into his mind so deeply that it refused to fade.
So, he'd found out who she was. Or rather, his men did. Efficiently, as always. She was the daughter of Duke Vernhardt.
Verona Vernhardt. His fiancée.
What a pretty name.
Elric's fingers tightened slightly on the reins. For a moment, he could almost see her face in his mind.
"You're thinking about her, aren't you?" Zachren smirked at him.
Elric didn't bother denying it. "Maybe."
"Well, she'd better be worth it," Zachren muttered, then added under his breath.
They rode the rest of the way in silence until the road widened, and the Vernhardt estate came into view. Grand, yes, but cold. There was something about the place that didn't sit right with him.
When they arrived at the gate, Duke Vernhardt himself stood waiting. Behind him, rows of servants bowed. The man was smiling, but it wasn't the kind of smile that Elric was pleased to see.
"Duke Aldenar," the older man greeted with forced warmth. "It's an honor to welcome you to House Vernhardt."
Elric got down smoothly, handing his reins to a waiting servant. "The honor is mutual, Duke Vernhardt."
Their hands met briefly. Firm, but hollow. Elric had shaken enough hands to recognize which ones hid daggers beneath their smiles.
As they walked through the corridors, Vernhardt's voice filled the space. "I must admit, I didn't expect you'd come yourself. Most men of your standing would send an escort instead."
"I wouldn't send someone else to collect my fiancée," Elric replied. "It's a matter of respect."
"Ah, yes, a true gentleman." The duke chuckled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "You must be quite eager, Duke Aldenar."
Elric stopped walking for a second, just enough for the silence to stretch. "I am," he said, his voice low. "So, where is she?"
Vernhardt laughed again, too quickly. "Ah, no need to rush, my lord. Surely, you must be tired. Come, rest first. We'll have dinner together later, then you may meet your bride."
Elric's expression didn't change, but Zachren could practically feel the shift in the atmosphere. Still, the duke's words were wrapped in courtesy. Refusing now would be unwise. So Elric nodded, if only slightly.
"As you wish."
**
By the time the sun slipped behind the hills, dinner was ready. The dining hall of House Vernhardt was grand but strangely lifeless, too much gold, not enough warmth. Elric sat at the long table beside Zachren, across from the duke and his four sons. Conversation was shallow, mostly small talk and empty pleasantries.
Zachren leaned closer and whispered, "You know, I'm starting to think this is all a trick. Maybe she doesn't even exist."
Elric gave him a look that shut him up immediately.
Then came the sound of the doors opening.
A maid's voice rang out, announcing, "The young ladies have arrived."
All heads turned. First came a petite girl with shy eyes and a hesitant smile, clearly not the one he remembered.
The second walked in confidently, all glitter and perfume, her smile looked a little stiff.
"Duke Aldenar," Vernhardt said, spreading his arms with delight. "Allow me to introduce your fiancée."
Elric's eyes narrowed.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, my lord." The woman curtsied gracefully, her lips curved in a smile that didn't quite reach her painted eyes. Something about the way she said it felt like she was just playing her part in some play.
Elric didn't speak right away. He just stared, the silence stretching long enough for everyone to start shifting uncomfortably in their seats.
When he finally did, his voice was low. Calm. Dangerous. "You must be joking."
The duke blinked. "I beg your pardon?"
Elric's expression hardened, the faintest edge of frost seeping into his tone. "I traveled across half the kingdom to meet my bride. I have no patience for childish games. This woman is not my fiancée."
Zachren coughed into his hand to hide his grin. Oh, this was going to be good.
The duke's face tightened. He let out a laugh, awkward and thin. "Ah, my lord, surely you jok—"
"Do I look like I'm joking?" Elric asked, his eyes cold enough to freeze stone.
Even Zachren had gone quiet, his earlier amusement gone.
For a second, it was just the sound of the fire popping and crackling in the fireplace.
The duke's face twitched. For a moment, he looked genuinely flustered, then, at last, the duke sighed heavily. "It seems I must confess, my lord. I… I am embarrassed to admit this, but there's been an unexpected complication."
Elric didn't move. "A complication."
The duke nodded quickly, forcing a pitiful smile. "Yes, well… my other daughter, the one promised to you… she's gone."
Elric's fingers stilled against the table. "Gone," he repeated slowly. "Meaning what, exactly?"
The duke hesitated. "She… ran away."
A tense pause followed. Zachren's brows shot up. "She what?"
"Ran away," the duke said again. "We discovered her missing early this morning. The guards are already searching. I assure you, Duke Aldenar, this is most unlike–"
Elric rose from his chair before the man could finish. For several heartbeats, no one dared breathe.
"Find her."
It wasn't a request.
The duke swallowed hard, nodding rapidly. "O-of course."
Elric's eyes lingered on him for one more moment, then turned away. He didn't look angry, exactly. Just… disappointed. The kind of disappointment that made the air colder.
As he left the room, Zachren followed. "Run away, huh?" he muttered under his breath. "Well, Duke, looks like your bride has some spirit after all."
Elric didn't answer, but his jaw tightened.
Because deep down, something told him this wasn't as simple as that.