Celestia's POV
I woke up smiling.
Today was my wedding day. Today I became Empress.
Sunlight poured through the tall windows of my bridal chambers, painting everything gold. I stretched in bed, hardly able to believe this moment had finally arrived. Twenty-two years of preparation, ten years engaged to Aldric, and now, finally we would rule together.
My lady! You're awake! Clara rushed in, followed by a parade of maids carrying silver boxes and silk bundles. We have so much to do! The ceremony starts in three hours!
Three hours. My stomach flipped with nervous excitement.
They pulled me from bed and into a whirlwind of preparation. A bath scented with roses. Oils rubbed into my skin until it gleamed. My hair dark and thick, brushed until it shone like silk, then twisted into an elaborate style with tiny diamonds woven through each strand.
You look like a goddess, Clara whispered, tears in her eyes.
I looked at myself in the mirror. The girl staring back was almost unrecognizable. Beautiful. Regal. Ready.
Ready to be Empress.
A soft knock at the door made me turn. Come in!
My younger sister Vivienne slipped inside, carrying a velvet box. She was nineteen, pretty in a delicate way, with lighter hair and softer features than mine. We'd always been different—me bold and confident, her quiet and sweet.
Sister! She rushed over and hugged me carefully, avoiding my hair. You look absolutely stunning!
Thank you for coming early. I squeezed her hand. I'm so nervous I could die.
Don't be nervous. Prince Aldric loves you madly. Everyone knows it. She opened the velvet box, revealing the Ashford family tiara, sapphires and diamonds that had been passed down for generations. Mother wanted you to wear this.
My throat tightened. Our mother had died three years ago. Having a piece of her here today felt like a blessing.
Vivienne lifted the tiara carefully and placed it on my head. Her hands trembled slightly.
Are you alright? I asked, studying her face.
Of course! Just emotional. She smiled, but something about it seemed off. Strained. My big sister is getting married.
You'll be next soon enough. Half the noble sons in the Empire are in love with you.
Maybe. Her voice was strange. Distant.
The maids brought out my wedding robes, layers of silver silk embroidered with the imperial eagle in gold thread. It took four of them to dress me properly, arranging each fold with perfect precision.
When they finished, I barely recognized myself.
I looked like an Empress already.
The palace bells will ring in one hour, Clara announced. Signaling the procession to begin.
One hour. I pressed my hand to my stomach, trying to calm the butterflies.
Vivienne stood by the window, staring out at the palace gardens where Aldric and I used to play as children. Her shoulders were tense.
Vivi? I walked over to her. What's wrong? You've been acting strange all morning.
She didn't turn around. Have I?
Yes. Talk to me. Is something bothering you?
I'm fine.
You're a terrible liar. You always have been. I touched her shoulder gently. Whatever it is, you can tell me. We're sisters.
Vivienne's reflection in the window glass looked anguished. Her hands gripped the windowsill so tightly her knuckles turned white.
I'm sorry, she whispered.
Sorry for what?
She turned to face me, and I saw tears streaming down her cheeks. Her whole body shook.
Vivienne, you're scaring me. What's wrong?
I need to tell you something. Her voice broke. Something terrible. Something that's going to ruin everything.
My heart started pounding. Tell me what?
She opened her mouth. Closed it. Tears fell faster.
Vivienne, just say it!
I'm pregnant. The words came out in a desperate rush. I'm pregnant with Prince Aldric's child.
The world stopped.
I heard the words. Understood them individually. But together, they made no sense.
What? I laughed, because surely this was a joke. A terrible, inappropriate joke. That's not funny.
I'm not joking. Her face was white. I'm three months pregnant. Aldric is the father.
The laughter died in my throat. No. No, that's impossible. Aldric would never—we're getting married today. He loves me.
I know! I know he loves you, and I know this is awful, but it's true! She grabbed my hands. I've been terrified to tell anyone. I didn't know what to do. But Father found out yesterday, and now everything is
I yanked my hands away. Stop. Stop talking. This isn't real.
Celestia, please listen
NO! My voice rose to a shout. You're lying! Why would you lie about something like this?
The maids had stopped working, frozen in shock. They stared at us with wide eyes and open mouths.
Vivienne pulled a folded paper from her sleeve with shaking hands. The palace physician examined me yesterday. Father ordered it when I fainted at dinner. Here's the report.
She held it out to me.
I didn't want to take it. Didn't want to touch it. Because if I took it, if I read it, then this became real.
Please, Vivienne whispered. Please just read it.
My hand reached out on its own. Took the paper. Unfolded it.
Official palace seal at the top. The physician's formal handwriting:
Lady Vivienne Ashford is confirmed to be three months pregnant. Mother and child appear healthy...
The paper slipped from my fingers and drifted to the floor.
How? The word came out as barely a whisper. When?
The Spring Harvest banquet. Three months ago. Vivienne's voice shook. Do you remember? You and Aldric had that fight about something, I don't even remember what. He was drinking heavily. You went to bed early.
I remembered. We'd argued about his father's pressure for heirs, about duty versus love. I'd been upset and left him at the banquet.
Oh gods.
He came to my chambers late that night, Vivienne continued, words spilling out faster now. I thought maybe you'd sent him to apologize through me, I don't know. He seemed confused, disoriented. We drank wine together. And then...
And then you slept with him. My voice sounded dead. Empty.
I barely remember it! Everything was so blurry and strange. When I woke up, he was gone. I thought maybe I'd dreamed it. But then I missed my monthly bleeding. And then another. And then
One of the maids gasped. Another started whispering frantically to her companion.
Within seconds, I knew, the entire palace would know.
My wedding day. The day I was supposed to become Empress.
Instead, I was learning my fiancé had gotten my sister pregnant.
Does Aldric know? I asked quietly.
Vivienne shook her head. Father found out yesterday when the physician examined me. He said he would handle it. I thought he meant quietly, privately, but—
The palace bells began to ring.
But they weren't the joyful wedding bells that should have been ringing.
These were emergency bells. Summoning bells.
The bells that meant the Emperor required immediate attendance from the High Council.
My legs went weak. I grabbed the windowsill to stay upright.
What did Father do? I whispered.
I don't know! He told me to tell you first thing this morning, then he went straight to the Emperor. Celestia, I'm so sorry. I never meant for this to happen. I swear I didn't!
Heavy footsteps echoed in the corridor outside. Multiple footsteps. Marching in formation.
Soldiers.
The door burst open without warning.
Six imperial guards filled my chambers, their ceremonial armor gleaming, their faces carved from stone. Behind them stood my father, Duke Ashford, his expression carefully blank.
And behind him, the Emperor's chief advisor, face grim.
Lady Celestia Ashford, the advisor announced formally. The Emperor requires your immediate presence in the throne room.
I couldn't move. Couldn't breathe. My wedding robes suddenly felt like they weighed a thousand pounds.
Now, my lady, the advisor pressed. The Emperor does not like to be kept waiting.
My father finally looked at me. His eyes held no warmth. No apology. No love.
Just cold calculation.
Come, Celestia, he said quietly. It's time to face the consequences.
Consequences? My voice cracked. What consequences? I didn't do anything wrong!
You failed to secure the Crown Prince's loyalty, Father said, as if discussing the weather. That is consequence enough.
One of the guards stepped forward, hand on his sword hilt. A clear message: I could walk willingly, or be dragged.
I looked at Vivienne, still crying by the window.
At the maids, frozen in shock.
At my wedding robes, so beautiful and so useless now.
At the life I'd planned, crumbling before my eyes.
Move, the guard ordered.
I lifted my chin, forced my spine straight, and walked toward the door.
I was still wearing my wedding robes.
Still wearing my mother's tiara.
Still believing, somehow, that this could be fixed.
That Aldric would see me and remember he loved me and refuse to let them destroy us.
The guards surrounded me. Father walked ahead without looking back.
As we marched through the palace corridors, nobles and servants pressed against the walls, staring and whispering.
Everyone already knew.
The bride being summoned to the throne room on her wedding day.
The scandal that would destroy House Ashford.
The girl who'd been hours away from becoming Empress.
We reached the massive throne room doors.
They swung open.
And I saw my entire future waiting inside to destroy me.
What will the Emperor decide about Celestia's fate