Kyne
27
3A year later, the grand hall of the Azure Castle buzzed with anticipation. princes, grand dukes, dukes, marquesses, earls, viscounts β all the eligible bachelors from across the lands were gathered, polished and preening. My father wanted me to choose a husband, a suitable partner to rule beside me. I scanned the crowd, feeling a familiar wave of dread. Then, I saw him β Finn, a marquess and my childhood friend, smiling brightly and waving. I smiled back, but my gaze drifted. He was sweet, but not for me. My eyes continued to search, and then a man stepped forward. He had the most striking long, sky-blue hair, and his eyes, a shocking, intense red, stood out against his pale skin. There was something undeniably beautiful about him, but also something incredibly unsettling, a creepy vibe that made the hairs on my arms stand up. I didn't know him, but my father seemed to.
"I'll take her and will be my bride," he declared, his voice cutting through the chatter like ice. The entire room fell silent. I was shocked, utterly stunned. All the other noblemen looked furious, their faces contorted with irritation at his audacity. I glanced at my father, and I could see it β a flicker of fear in his eyes. He was afraid of this man.
A whole month had passed since Kyne ripped me from the life I was supposed to lead, the kingdom I was supposed to inherit. He's barely ever home, always out, doing⦠whatever kings like him do. It still felt weird, knowing his parents died when he was only nineteen. Our wedding is in two months, and I'm supposed to be getting ready, preparing for a future I never wanted. But ever since we arrived here, he hasn't even looked at me. I can feel his coldness, a chill that seeps into my bones, like he doesn't have an ounce of interest in me. Yet, he chose me. How could this change my life so drastically? I can't even go outside; the knights here won't let me, saying "their KING" command it.
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