By evening, the palace had taken on an entirely different appearance.
The warm light of the setting sun poured through the enormous windows, casting golden patterns across the marble floors. Servants moved quietly through the corridors, carrying trays, adjusting curtains, and making final preparations for the evening gathering.
Tonight, Aria and her family had been invited to dine with the royal family.
Aria stood before the tall mirror in her guest room, staring at her reflection.
She wore a simple but elegant burgundy dress, the colour matching the deep shade of her Ardentis heritage. The fabric fell gracefully around her, while delicate golden embroidery decorated the sleeves and waist.
Her long hair flowed freely down her back.
The few golden strands created by Ignara remained impossible to hide.
Aria touched them gently.
She still hadn't become accustomed to seeing them.
A knock sounded at the door.
"Come in."
Nia entered first.
She stopped when she saw Aria.
"Okay."
Aria turned.
"What?"
Nia smiled.
"You actually look like someone who is about to marry a prince."
Aria rolled her eyes.
"Please don't remind me."
Nia laughed.
Behind her came Nerina, dressed in an elegant gown prepared by the palace.
She looked at her daughter for a moment before smiling warmly.
"You look beautiful."
Aria smiled.
"Thank you, Mother."
Nerina walked closer and gently adjusted one of the strands resting near Aria's shoulder.
"Are you ready?"
Aria looked at herself in the mirror again.
"No."
Nia laughed.
"At least she's honest."
Aria turned toward them.
"I don't know how anyone expects me to be ready. A few days ago, I was worrying about my university speech. Now I'm preparing to sit at dinner with the King."
Nerina took her hand.
"You don't have to pretend that everything isn't overwhelming."
Aria looked at her mother.
"But I have to face it."
"Yes," Nerina said softly. "And you won't face it alone."
Those words comforted Aria more than she expected.
Her family was here.
That was enough for now.
---
The royal dining hall was breathtaking.
A long table stretched across the centre of the enormous chamber, covered with white linen and decorated with golden ornaments. Tall candles stood between arrangements of fresh flowers, their flames flickering gently in the evening air.
Large windows overlooked the palace gardens, where the last rays of sunlight disappeared beyond the horizon.
At the head of the table sat King Darian.
Beside him sat Queen Mira and Queen Elena.
Queen Dowager Mara occupied a seat slightly apart from them, her calm eyes observing everything around her.
Aria and her family entered the room.
The King immediately rose.
"Lady Nerina."
Nerina bowed respectfully.
"Your Majesty."
King Darian smiled.
"Please. Tonight, let us forget formalities."
Nerina hesitated before smiling.
"As you wish."
His attention shifted toward Aria.
"And you, Aria."
Aria lowered her head.
"Your Majesty."
"You've had quite an eventful few days."
Aria gave a small smile.
"That's one way to describe it."
A quiet laugh escaped Queen Mira.
"I like her already."
Aria looked toward her.
Queen Mira smiled warmly.
"Come. Sit with us."
The families took their seats.
For the first few moments, the conversation remained formal.
Questions were asked about Aria's family and their journey to the palace.
Nerina explained that Aria's father had remained at home to settle matters within the clan while Nia helped keep things organized.
King Darian listened attentively.
"It is unfortunate that he couldn't join us tonight."
"He sends his respects, Your Majesty," Nerina replied.
"I appreciate that."
Queen Elena looked toward Aria.
"How are you finding the palace?"
Aria thought for a moment.
"It's beautiful."
Nia immediately added, "She means she likes the palace more than she likes the idea of becoming a princess."
Aria nearly choked on her drink.
"Nia!"
The table erupted into soft laughter.
Even Queen Elena smiled.
"I see you have a lively family."
Nerina sighed.
"You have no idea."
Aria glared at her sister.
Nia simply smiled.
For the first time since entering the palace, Aria felt some of the tension leave her shoulders.
They weren't treating her like an outsider.
They were treating her like family.
And somehow, that made the upcoming wedding feel even more real.
Queen Mira eventually turned toward one of the attendants.
"Bring the samples."
Several servants entered carrying trays filled with fabrics.
Aria's eyes widened.
Different colours and materials were carefully arranged across the table.
Deep burgundy.
Gold.
Ivory.
Dark green.
Purple.
Each fabric was embroidered with intricate patterns.
Queen Mira smiled.
"Since your family will stand beside you during the wedding ceremony, we thought it would be appropriate for them to have ceremonial attire prepared by the royal household."
Nerina looked surprised.
"Your Majesty, that is extremely generous."
"It is tradition," Mira replied.
Queen Elena nodded.
"And more importantly, Aria is not entering this family alone. Her family should be honoured as well."
Aria's chest tightened slightly.
She hadn't expected that.
She looked at her mother and sister.
Nia was already examining the fabrics.
"This one."
She picked up a rich burgundy fabric.
Aria laughed.
"You didn't even think about it."
"Of course not. It's beautiful."
Queen Mira smiled.
"Perhaps burgundy and gold?"
Nerina nodded.
"It would represent the Ardentis heritage while still complementing the royal colours."
Queen Elena considered the fabric.
"I agree."
Aria reached out and touched the material.
It was soft beneath her fingers.
"That would be beautiful."
Mara, who had remained mostly silent throughout the evening, finally spoke.
"It would also be fitting."
Everyone looked toward her.
Mara's eyes rested on Aria.
"The Phoenix chose an Ardentis daughter. She should not have to hide where she came from simply because she is entering the royal family."
Aria stared at her.
Something about those words touched her.
"Thank you."
Mara gave a small nod.
"Your heritage is part of who you are."
For a moment, Aria felt a strange warmth in her chest.
Then the doors opened.
Everyone's attention shifted.
Adrian entered the hall.
He had changed from his earlier attire and now wore a dark formal coat embroidered with gold along the collar and cuffs. His hair was neatly arranged, though a few strands had fallen naturally across his forehead.
His presence immediately drew Aria's attention.
She hadn't expected him to be there.
Adrian's eyes moved across the table before settling on her.
Their eyes met.
Again.
For a few seconds, neither looked away.
Aria suddenly became aware of Nia sitting beside her.
She glanced at her sister.
Nia was smiling.
Aria immediately looked back at her plate.
Adrian approached the table.
"Good evening."
"You're late," Queen Elena remarked.
Adrian gave his mother a look.
"I was attending to something important."
His eyes briefly returned to Aria.
Nia noticed.
Of course she noticed.
"Important indeed," she muttered.
Aria kicked her lightly beneath the table.
Nia nearly laughed.
Adrian took his seat.
The conversation continued, this time including him.
They discussed the wedding arrangements, the ceremony, the guest list, and the traditions that would be followed.
Aria listened quietly.
Every detail made the reality sink deeper.
The wedding was no longer something happening around her.
It was happening to her.
Soon, everyone at the table would be watching her walk toward Adrian.
Soon, she would officially become his wife.
She glanced at him.
Adrian happened to look at her at the same moment.
Their eyes met again.
This time, there was something different in his expression.
Not love.
Not yet.
Perhaps curiosity.
Perhaps uncertainty.
But something.
Aria quickly looked away.
Nia leaned toward her.
"You're doing it again."
"Doing what?"
"Looking at him."
"I wasn't."
Nia smiled.
"Of course you weren't."
Aria whispered, "Stop."
Nia covered her mouth to hide her laughter.
Across the table, Adrian noticed the exchange.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
Aria saw it.
Her heart skipped unexpectedly.
She frowned at herself.
Absolutely not.
She had enough problems already.
She didn't need to start developing feelings for a man she had known for barely a few days.
The evening continued with laughter, conversations, and wedding preparations.
For the first time, Aria allowed herself to believe that perhaps this strange new life would not be as frightening as she had imagined.
She had her family.
She had the support of the royal household.
And perhaps, with time, she and Adrian could learn to understand one another.
But somewhere beneath the warmth of the evening, a secret remained hidden.
A secret known only to a few people in the palace.
And Aria had no idea that her marriage had been planned to last for only as long as Valmyr needed it.
For now, all she knew was that in a few days, she would walk down the royal aisle.
And Prince Adrian Veyr would be waiting for her.