The wedding celebration continued long into the evening.
Music filled the grand halls of the palace while nobles gathered in groups, raising their glasses and offering congratulations to the newly married couple.
Aria smiled until her cheeks hurt.
"Congratulations, Your Highness."
"May your marriage bring prosperity to Valmyr."
"May Ignara continue to bless your union."
She thanked each person politely, though inside, she was counting the minutes until she could escape the crowd.
It had been the longest day of her life.
She had woken that morning as Aria Fleur, a university student from the Ardentis Clan.
Now she was Aria Veyr.
The wife of the future King of Valmyr.
The thought still felt unreal.
Across the hall, Adrian stood beside his father, speaking to several nobles.
He looked completely at ease.
His dark formal coat remained perfectly arranged despite the long celebration. Gold embroidery traced the edges of his sleeves and collar, while the royal crest rested over his chest.
Aria couldn't understand how he managed to look so calm.
Perhaps being raised in a palace had prepared him for moments like this.
Or perhaps he was simply better at hiding his thoughts.
Eventually, King Darian placed a hand on his son's shoulder.
"Adrian."
The prince turned.
"Yes, Father?"
"Come with me."
Adrian followed him away from the celebration and into a quieter corridor.
Once they were alone, Adrian folded his arms.
"What is it?"
Darian looked at him seriously.
"You are married now."
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"I was present at the ceremony."
His father almost smiled.
"Then perhaps you'll listen when I give you some advice."
Adrian sighed.
"Here comes the lecture."
"You're going to need it."
Darian began walking slowly down the corridor.
"Marriage isn't simply about standing beside someone before an audience and exchanging vows. It is responsibility. But it is also patience, understanding, and respect."
Adrian's expression became more serious.
Darian continued.
"Aria has been taken from everything she knows. Her university, her friends, her ordinary life. She didn't wake up one morning expecting to become a princess."
"I know."
"Knowing isn't enough."
Adrian looked at him.
Darian's voice softened.
"Treat her fairly. Don't make her feel like a prisoner simply because she is your wife."
"I won't."
"And don't expect her to understand you immediately. She barely knows you."
Adrian lowered his gaze.
"Neither of us knows the other."
"Then give her time."
Darian placed a hand on his son's shoulder.
"If you want her to trust you, give her reasons to."
Adrian nodded slowly.
"I understand."
Darian smiled.
"Good."
He started walking away before turning back.
"And Adrian?"
"Yes?"
"Try not to frighten your wife."
Adrian stared at him.
"I don't frighten people."
Darian gave him an amused look.
"You have a particular expression."
"What expression?"
"The one that makes people wonder whether they're about to be sentenced."
Adrian shook his head.
"You're exaggerating."
"Perhaps."
Darian smiled.
"Now go. She is probably waiting."
Adrian watched his father disappear down the corridor.
For a moment, he remained where he was.
Then he turned toward his chambers.
---
The room was quiet when Adrian entered.
Aria stood near the window, looking out at the palace gardens.
The moonlight fell across her hair, catching the golden strands Ignara had left behind.
She turned when she heard the door.
"You're back."
"Yes."
Adrian closed the door behind him.
Silence immediately settled between them.
Aria looked toward the window.
Adrian looked around the room.
Neither knew what to say.
Finally, Adrian spoke.
"Are you tired?"
"Very."
"So am I."
Aria smiled faintly.
"At least we agree on something."
Adrian smiled.
He remembered his father's words.
Give her time.
He walked toward the sitting area and gestured toward one of the chairs.
"You should sit."
Aria followed him.
They sat opposite one another.
For a while, they simply stared at each other.
Aria eventually sighed.
"This is strange."
"Very."
"Yesterday, I didn't even know you."
"And today you're my wife."
She gave him a look.
"Exactly."
Adrian leaned back.
"I suppose we should get to know each other."
Aria raised an eyebrow.
"Now?"
"Better late than never."
A small laugh escaped her.
"Fine."
Adrian thought for a moment.
"What's your favourite food?"
Aria blinked.
"That's your first question?"
"I couldn't think of anything else."
She smiled.
"Rice cake."
Adrian nodded seriously.
"Good to know."
"And yours?"
"Anything my cooks prepare."
Aria stared at him.
"That's not an answer."
"It's an honest one."
She laughed.
The conversation gradually became easier.
Aria told him about university and how much she missed her normal routine.
She talked about her friends and the life she had expected to have.
Adrian listened.
When she finished, he remained quiet for a moment.
"You really miss it."
"Of course I do."
Adrian nodded.
"Then you shouldn't have to lose it."
Aria looked at him.
"What?"
"Your studies."
"You mean I can continue?"
"If that's what you want."
She stared at him.
"I thought being your wife meant giving up everything."
"It doesn't."
A small smile appeared on her face.
"Thank you."
Adrian nodded.
"You shouldn't have to lose yourself simply because you're married."
Aria studied him.
Perhaps there was more to Adrian than she had initially thought.
The silence between them returned, but this time it wasn't uncomfortable.
It was simply unfamiliar.
Adrian eventually stood.
Aria looked up.
"What?"
"Nothing."
He hesitated.
Then he offered his hand.
Aria stared at it.
"What are you doing?"
"I don't know."
She laughed.
Adrian smiled.
"At least you're laughing."
"I've never seen a prince look this confused."
"I'm not confused."
"You are."
"Perhaps a little."
Aria placed her hand in his.
For a moment, they simply stood there.
Adrian seemed unsure of what to say next.
He took a small step closer.
Aria immediately stepped back.
"Wait."
Adrian stopped.
Her cheeks warmed with embarrassment.
"I'm not ready."
He immediately gave her space.
"Okay."
Aria looked at him carefully.
She had expected awkwardness.
She had expected pressure.
Instead, he simply accepted her answer.
"You're not angry?"
"No."
Adrian's voice was calm.
"You don't have to do anything simply because we're married."
Something inside Aria relaxed.
"Thank you."
He nodded.
"There is no need to thank me."
A small silence followed.
Then Aria laughed nervously.
"This is probably the strangest wedding night in history."
Adrian laughed.
"Probably."
She looked at him.
"Maybe we should just be friends."
Adrian considered it.
"Friends?"
"Yes."
"We're married."
"I know."
She smiled.
"But we barely know each other."
Adrian nodded.
"Then perhaps friends is a good place to start."
Aria smiled.
"Friends."
"Friends."
Neither of them knew how important that simple agreement would become.
For now, they were simply two strangers trying to make sense of a marriage neither had planned.
---
Later that night, another part of the palace remained awake.
Elise stood outside Queen Elena's private sitting room.
She hesitated before knocking.
"Come in."
Elise opened the door.
Elena looked up from the book resting in her hands.
Her expression softened when she saw the young woman.
"Elise."
"Your Majesty."
Elena immediately noticed the sadness in her face.
"Come sit."
Elise entered slowly and sat across from her.
For several moments, she said nothing.
Elena waited.
Finally, Elise spoke.
"I don't know what I'm supposed to do now."
Elena closed the book.
"About Adrian?"
Elise lowered her eyes.
"Yes."
Her voice trembled slightly.
"I thought I knew what my future would look like."
Elena remained silent.
"I thought..." Elise paused. "I thought I would marry him."
"You were both young when those expectations began."
"But they were real."
"They were."
Elise looked at her.
"Then Ignara chose her."
Elena didn't correct her.
"Aria wasn't responsible for what happened," Elise continued. "I know that. I don't hate her for being chosen."
"But?"
Elise looked away.
"But she has everything I thought would be mine."
Elena sighed softly.
"Elise, there are things you need to understand."
Elise looked back at her.
"What things?"
Elena hesitated.
Then she lowered her voice.
"Adrian's marriage to Aria is not as simple as the kingdom believes."
Elise's expression changed.
"What do you mean?"
"The royal family has reasons for accepting this marriage that have nothing to do with affection."
Elise stared at her.
"Then why?"
"Because there is a danger approaching Valmyr."
Elise's brows drew together.
"I don't understand."
"You don't need to know every detail."
Elena paused.
"But you need to understand that Adrian's marriage to Aria has a purpose."
Elise slowly processed her words.
"How long?"
Elena knew immediately what she meant.
"The marriage is expected to continue until the danger has passed and the conditions surrounding Ignara's choice have been fulfilled."
Elise's heart began beating faster.
"And after that?"
Elena looked into her eyes.
"After that, Adrian will be free to decide what comes next."
Elise swallowed.
"Does that mean..."
"I am not promising you Adrian's heart," Elena said gently. "That is something only he can give."
Elise looked down.
"But you believe I still have a chance."
Elena reached across the table and took her hand.
"I believe you should not give up on your future simply because circumstances changed."
A tear gathered in Elise's eye.
"So this marriage..."
"Is necessary."
"For now?"
Elena nodded.
"For now."
Elise took a slow breath.
She had entered the room believing that the man she had expected to marry was gone from her life.
Now, for the first time that night, hope returned.
It wasn't certainty.
It wasn't a promise.
But it was enough.
"I can wait," she whispered.
Elena squeezed her hand.
"Then wait."
Neither of them noticed the shadow moving quietly beyond the corridor.
And neither knew that the future they were discussing would eventually become far more complicated than either of them imagined.
That night, Aria fell asleep believing she had begun a friendship with her husband.
Elise fell asleep believing she might one day have him back.
And Adrian remained unaware that two different futures were quietly being imagined for his marriage.