Chapter 1 : As if I can refuse

The Palace hummed with its usual rhythms as Levyoka found herself ensconced within the comfort of her bed, lost in a fleeting moment of tranquility. Yet, her respite was abruptly shattered by the sudden intrusion.

Sarsuela, despite her advancing age, radiates an enduring energy and breathtaking beauty. Though not bound by blood, she has nurtured Levyoka since the untimely passing of her mother. As Lemoire's cherished childhood companion and closest confidante, Sarsuela shares an unbreakable bond with Levyoka, embodying the quintessence of a maternal figure in her life.

"What mischief do you brew this morning, barging in unannounced? Have you misplaced your manners along the way?" Levyoka chided, her tone a mixture of exasperation and endearment.

Sarsuela's gentle poke to Levyoka's forehead served as a reminder of her nurturing presence. "No, my dear, it is you who seem to have misplaced your manners," she countered with a resigned sigh.

Levyoka, ever the impulsive spirit, swiftly rose from her bed, hastily smoothing down her disheveled locks before making a swift exit. Her propensity for abrupt departures had long been a source of annoyance among the palace staff.

Sarsuela trailed after her charge, her voice laced with gentle concern. "You ought to prepare yourself; you have a meeting scheduled today. "I desire for you to conduct yourself and embody the essence of Princess Levyoka."

Pausing in her tracks, Levyoka cast a mischievous glance over her shoulder, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Ah, am I to be wed today, perchance? How delightful that would be," she quipped, her arms crossed defiantly as if to dismiss the very notion.

Sarsuela regarded her with a mixture of fondness and solemnity. "Indeed, my dear. It is time for you to assume your role as a wife. You carry the grace of your mother within you; I have no doubt you will excel in your new duties."

Stunned into silence, Levyoka struggled to comprehend the gravity of her aunt's words. "Wha- what do you mean... am I to be betrothed, like my sister?"

Maurine, elder by four fleeting years, found herself swept into the embrace of matrimony with none other than the esteemed Duke of Agandel - Lwimor. This union, carefully orchestrated, served as the cornerstone of a strategic alliance, aimed at fortifying the ties between noble houses. The Levita family, renowned for their mastery in the art of military innovation, sought to cement their legacy through this union, forging bonds not only of blood but of shared ambition and power.

"Indeed, you are. So do your finest attire and endeavor to make a favorable impression on your prospective husband," Sarsuela affirmed with a hint of resignation, her expression tinged with a somber gravity.

Despite the weight of her impending fate, Levyoka found herself oddly buoyed by a sense of intrigue. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she contemplated the prospect before her. "Hmm, how intriguing," she mused, her mind already racing with possibilities.

"Very well, I shall engage in the game with utmost proficiency," she added, her tone infused with determination.