The palace did not sleep that night.
Even after the sound of the royal horn faded into the distance, the corridors remained filled with hurried footsteps and quiet conversations.
Aria stood by the window of her guest room, staring at the courtyard below.
The palace had suddenly come alive.
Servants moved from one building to another, carrying fabrics, boxes, flowers, and trays filled with what appeared to be wedding preparations. Guards stood at every entrance while several members of the Ashern Circle moved through the courtyard with serious expressions.
A wedding.
Her wedding.
Aria slowly placed a hand against her chest.
She still couldn't believe it.
Only hours ago, she had been sitting behind a university podium preparing to give a speech.
Now she was standing inside the royal palace, preparing to become the wife of the future king.
And the strangest part was that she had barely spoken to him.
"Miss Fleur?"
Aria turned.
One of the palace maids stood at the doorway, holding several folded pieces of fabric in her arms.
"Yes?"
The maid smiled politely.
"Her Majesty has asked us to begin your wedding preparations."
Aria blinked.
"Already?"
The maid nodded.
"The royal wedding will take place soon. There is much to be done."
Aria stared at the fabrics.
For some reason, her stomach tightened.
Everything was happening too quickly.
Before she could respond, another familiar voice came from behind the maid.
"Well, look at you."
Aria immediately recognized the voice.
"Nia?"
Her sister stepped into the room with a wide smile, followed closely by Nerina.
Aria's expression instantly softened.
"Mother!"
Nerina hurried toward her daughter and pulled her into a warm embrace.
"My beautiful girl."
Aria smiled against her mother's shoulder.
For the first time since leaving the university, she felt like she had a piece of home with her.
Nia folded her arms and looked Aria up and down.
"So this is what happens when Ignara chooses you."
Aria pulled away from her mother.
"What?"
Nia grinned.
"You disappear for one day and return as the future queen."
Aria rolled her eyes.
"Don't start."
Nia laughed.
"Oh, I'm definitely starting."
Nerina shook her head with a smile.
"Leave your sister alone."
"But Mother, look at her face."
Aria frowned.
"What about my face?"
Nia's smile widened.
"You look nervous."
"I'm not nervous."
"You're definitely nervous."
"I'm not."
Nia leaned closer.
"Then why are you looking like you're about to run away?"
Aria opened her mouth to respond.
Then she glanced toward the wedding fabrics.
Her expression softened.
"Because everything is happening so fast."
Nerina's smile faded slightly.
She reached for Aria's hand.
"I know, my daughter."
For a moment, the room became quiet.
Aria looked down at their joined hands.
"I don't even know what kind of wife I'm supposed to be."
Nerina squeezed her hand gently.
"You don't have to know everything today."
Nia nodded.
"And you certainly don't have to figure out your entire marriage before the wedding."
Aria looked at her sister suspiciously.
"Why do I feel like you're about to say something annoying?"
Nia's lips curved into a mischievous smile.
"Because I am."
Aria groaned.
"Nia..."
"Come on. We have a royal wedding to prepare for."
Despite everything that had happened, Aria couldn't help but laugh.
It was truly an exciting moment.
All Aria needed right now was the support, love, and care of her family to help her face the trial ahead.
Nia suddenly glanced around the room.
"Well, the royals really have some aura."
Aria frowned.
"What happened?"
Nia looked at their mother.
"We were given a very special invitation. Along with it came the gifts and arrangements that the Ardentis family traditionally receives from the groom's family."
Nerina nodded.
"Everything was prepared with great care."
Aria's eyes widened.
"Really?"
"Yes," Nerina replied. "That's why your father couldn't come with us. He's back home settling a few things, while Alex is helping keep everything in order."
Aria couldn't find the right words.
She had spent so much time hoping she would wake up and discover that everything was simply a strange dream.
But now her family was here.
The palace was preparing for her wedding.
There was no escaping the truth anymore.
She really was the Phoenix's bride.
Her wedding was only a few days away, and the preparations were already moving smoothly.
She couldn't fight it.
She couldn't run.
This was the life she had been chosen to live.
At least for now, she had her family beside her.
"Well, your in-laws—the King and Queens—are going to meet with us this evening," Nia said. "But before then, let's take a stroll around the courtyard. This palace is enormous. We can't possibly tour all of it on foot."
She smiled.
Aria laughed softly.
"You're really enjoying this, aren't you?"
"Very much."
---
Later that afternoon, Aria stepped into the palace courtyard with Nerina and Nia.
For the first time since arriving at the palace, there was no crowd surrounding them and no urgent announcement demanding Aria's attention.
They were simply walking.
The courtyard stretched across a wide section of the palace grounds, surrounded by tall stone walls covered with climbing vines and delicate golden flowers. Carefully trimmed trees lined the marble pathways, their leaves swaying gently with the afternoon breeze.
At the centre stood a magnificent fountain carved from pale stone. Water flowed from the mouth of a sculpted royal bird into a wide circular basin, creating a soft, calming sound that filled the otherwise peaceful courtyard.
Colourful flowers bloomed along the edges of the pathways, their sweet fragrance drifting through the air.
Several palace maids followed a short distance behind them, carrying folded fabrics and small baskets, while two guards remained near the entrance.
Nia looked around in amazement.
"I could get used to this place."
Aria laughed softly.
"You've only been here for a few hours."
"Exactly," Nia replied. "And I've already decided I like it."
Nerina shook her head.
"You've always been easily impressed."
"Mother, look at this place."
Nia gestured toward the gardens.
"How am I supposed not to be impressed?"
Aria smiled as she watched her sister admire the surroundings.
For a brief moment, she forgot about the wedding.
She forgot about Ignara.
She forgot about the prophecy.
She simply enjoyed being with her family.
Then the sound of approaching footsteps caught her attention.
Aria's smile slowly faded.
She looked ahead.
A group of guards appeared at the opposite end of the pathway.
And walking between them was Adrian.
He wore a dark royal coat with subtle golden embroidery, his hands resting casually behind his back as he walked.
His expression remained calm and composed, but his presence alone seemed to change the atmosphere around him.
Aria slowed.
Nia noticed immediately.
Her eyes moved from Aria to Adrian.
A small smile appeared on her face.
"Oh."
Aria glanced at her.
"What?"
Nia leaned closer.
"Nothing."
Aria narrowed her eyes.
"Nia."
"I didn't say anything."
Nerina looked ahead and noticed Adrian approaching.
She gently touched Aria's arm.
"Stand properly."
"Mother!"
Nia covered a laugh.
Aria straightened reluctantly.
The two groups continued toward each other.
Adrian's eyes eventually found Aria.
For a moment, his gaze remained on her.
Then his eyes shifted briefly toward the golden strands in her hair before returning to her face.
Aria suddenly became aware of how quiet the courtyard had become.
When they finally reached one another, Adrian stopped.
"Good afternoon."
Nerina immediately lowered her head respectfully.
"Good afternoon, Your Highness."
Nia followed her mother's example, though the curious smile on her face remained.
Aria hesitated for a second before giving a small bow.
"Good afternoon, Your Highness."
Adrian nodded.
"Good afternoon."
His eyes remained on Aria for another moment.
Neither of them seemed to know what to say next.
Nia noticed.
And judging from the expression on her face, Aria knew she was already planning something.
"Your Highness," Nia suddenly said.
Adrian looked at her.
"Yes?"
Nia smiled innocently.
"I don't believe you've properly met my mother and sister."
Adrian's expression softened slightly.
"You're right."
He turned toward Nerina.
"Lady Nerina, it's a pleasure to finally meet you."
"The pleasure is ours, Your Highness."
Adrian then looked toward Nia.
"And you must be Nia."
Nia smiled.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"I've heard about you."
Nia's eyebrows rose.
"Hopefully good things."
Adrian gave the faintest hint of a smile.
"Mostly."
Nia looked at Aria.
Aria immediately knew she was in trouble.
She quickly looked away, pretending to admire the fountain.
Nerina noticed and smiled quietly.
Adrian's attention returned to Aria.
"How are you settling in?"
Aria looked back at him.
"I'm still trying to."
"I understand."
There was a brief silence.
Then Adrian glanced toward the maids carrying the fabrics.
"Are those for the preparations?"
Nerina nodded.
"The Queen has asked us to meet her this evening to choose the attire for Aria's family."
Adrian nodded.
"I see."
His gaze returned to Aria.
"Then I suppose the palace is keeping you busy."
"You have no idea," Aria replied.
Nia immediately laughed.
Adrian looked at Aria with slight amusement.
For the first time, the tension between them seemed to ease.
Only slightly.
But enough for Aria to notice.
And enough for Nia to notice too.
She exchanged a knowing glance with her mother.
Aria saw it.
"Don't," she warned quietly.
Nia smiled.
"I didn't say anything."
Aria sighed.
She already knew this wedding was going to be a long one.