Adrian Veyr was the kind of man whose presence naturally drew attention.
He was tall and well-built, with broad shoulders and a confident posture that reflected the authority expected of a future king. His dark hair was neatly styled, with a few strands falling naturally across his forehead. Sharp features framed his face, while his deep, steady eyes carried an intensity that made it difficult to look away for too long.
His straight nose, defined jaw, and calm expression gave him an effortlessly handsome appearance.
He wore a fitted black royal coat decorated with subtle golden embroidery, the Valmyr crest resting proudly over his chest. There was something controlled about the way he carried himself—powerful without needing to prove it.
He was undeniably handsome.
But Aria wasn't impressed.
Not today.
---
"Well, Father, I'm sure you already know what my answer will be. She's a stranger to me, just as I am to her. I don't want us to be chained to a relationship that wasn't planned."
Adrian's voice was calm, but his decision was firm.
King Darian remained silent for a moment.
Queen Mira exchanged a worried glance with Elena, while Queen Dowager Mara remained completely still.
The leader of the Ashern Circle stood quietly near the centre of the room, both hands resting on the golden staff he carried.
Darian finally leaned back against his throne.
"You speak as though this is simply a matter of choosing a wife."
"Isn't it?" Adrian asked.
"No."
The single word immediately changed Adrian's expression.
Darian's eyes hardened.
"If this were only about marriage, I would not ask you to reconsider."
Adrian stared at his father.
"What are you talking about?"
The King slowly rose from his seat.
"There is something you need to understand, Adrian. The reason Ignara has appeared now is not simply because she wished to choose your bride."
The room fell silent.
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
"Then why?"
Darian looked toward Mara.
For several seconds, the elderly woman said nothing.
Finally, she lifted her eyes.
"Because Valmyr is approaching a danger that our ancestors warned us about generations ago."
Adrian's expression changed completely.
"The danger?"
Queen Mira nodded.
"You already know the signs we've been watching."
Adrian took a slow breath.
"The strange disturbances at the northern border?"
"The disappearing patrols," Queen Mira added quietly. "The changes in the ancient wards. The unusual activity around the old territories."
Adrian looked around the room.
"And you believe Ignara chose her because of this?"
"We know the two events are connected," the leader of the Ashern Circle replied.
Adrian glanced toward the doors through which Aria had disappeared.
"An Ardentis girl."
His voice carried disbelief.
"Out of every woman in Valmyr, Ignara chose an Ardentis girl?"
"That is what makes this so important," Mara said.
Adrian turned toward her.
"You know something."
Mara's expression remained calm.
"There are things even we are still trying to understand."
Adrian frowned.
"Then you're asking me to marry a stranger because of something you don't completely understand?"
"No," King Darian replied. "We are asking you to consider what your decision could mean for everyone beyond these walls."
Adrian fell silent.
His father's words settled heavily in the room.
He had spent his entire life preparing to become king. He knew exactly what that responsibility meant.
But accepting a woman he had met only minutes ago was something entirely different.
"I still don't know her," he finally said.
"You don't have to love her today," Queen Elena replied.
Adrian looked at his mother.
Elena's voice remained gentle, but there was determination beneath it.
"You only need to understand that this is bigger than either of you."
Adrian looked away.
For the first time since Aria entered the palace, his certainty began to weaken.
"Give me time."
The leader of the Ashern Circle stepped forward slightly.
"Well, time may not be on our side, son. I don't mean to rush you."
Adrian looked at him.
"The night of the Phoenix's first eclipse is approaching faster than we realize. You have to marry her so the people, the royal family, and the kingdom can be saved."
Adrian's expression hardened.
"The eclipse?"
"Yes," the leader answered. "Everything we've been watching points toward it."
Before Adrian could respond, Queen Elena spoke.
"After the eclipse, you can marry again. You can marry Elise. But for now, you have to uphold your duty and responsibility."
Her suggestion immediately changed the atmosphere in the room.
Adrian stared at her.
"Elise?"
"She is still an option," Elena said. "Nothing has changed concerning her. But this situation with Ignara must be dealt with first."
King Darian nodded.
"Yes, my son. Soon you are going to be a king—the mighty ruler of all Elarion. It is your duty to protect the kingdom. In the same way, you have the right to take as many spouses as you wish."
Silence fell over the room.
Adrian's thoughts became clouded.
To him, Aria was simply a solution arranged by Ignara.
A temporary situation.
A marriage formed out of necessity rather than choice.
"It's like a temporary situation..." Queen Elena said quietly.
No one responded.
The room fell silent once again, with every eye fixed on Adrian.
The lives of thousands of people and the future of Elarion seemed to rest on the decision he was about to make.
Adrian lowered his gaze for a moment.
Then he finally looked up.
"Fine."
Everyone remained still.
"I'll marry her."
The words immediately released the tension that had filled the room.
King Darian's shoulders relaxed.
Queen Mira let out a quiet breath of relief.
Elena's expression softened, while Mara gave a small, knowing nod.
Even the leader of the Ashern Circle appeared relieved.
It was official.
Adrian and Aria were going to get married.
After making his decision, Adrian turned and walked out of the room.
His heavy footsteps echoed through the corridor. His tall, commanding presence made the guards stationed outside straighten immediately as he passed.
None of them dared to stop him.
Inside the chamber, the King smiled faintly.
The decision had been made.
---
Meanwhile, the guest room was far more beautiful than Aria had expected.
It was spacious, with tall windows covered by long cream-coloured curtains that allowed the soft evening light to spill into the room. The walls were decorated with delicate golden patterns, while a large royal crest hung above the fireplace.
A huge bed stood at the centre of the room, covered with thick burgundy sheets and several soft pillows. Beside it was a small golden table holding a lamp, a vase of fresh flowers, and a glass of water.
A large wardrobe stood against one wall, while another door led to a private bathroom.
Everything looked expensive.
Everything looked perfect.
Yet Aria couldn't enjoy any of it.
She sat quietly on the edge of the bed, staring down at her hands.
Her thoughts kept returning to the same question.
Would Adrian reject her?
She almost hoped he would.
Returning to the university suddenly seemed like the most wonderful thing in the world.
She was about to lie down when—
BOOOOOOM!
A powerful horn echoed through the palace.
Aria immediately froze.
The sound vibrated through the walls, followed by another deep echo that seemed to travel throughout the entire palace.
She quickly stood.
"What was that?"
Before she could reach the window, she heard movement outside.
Footsteps rushed through the corridors.
Voices rose among the palace servants.
Something had happened.
Aria hurried toward the window and pulled the curtains aside.
The palace courtyard was suddenly alive with movement.
Guards were taking their positions while servants hurried across the grounds.
Then the horn sounded again.
BOOOOOOM!
Aria's heart began to race.
She didn't know what the horn meant.
But somewhere deep inside, she already suspected that it had something to do with her.
Suddenly, the door opened.
One of the maids entered, her face filled with excitement.
"Miss Fleur..."
Aria turned toward her.
"What happened?"
The maid smiled.
"The Prince has accepted."
Aria froze.
"What?"
"Prince Adrian has accepted Ignara's choice."
Aria stared at her in disbelief.
She hadn't even been given enough time to prepare herself.
Only moments ago, she had been hoping he would reject her.
Now the decision had been made.
The horn sounded once more.
BOOOOOOM!
And this time, Aria understood exactly what it meant.
Her old life was over.