Chapter 2 : Dancing with Destiny

As she glides down the aisle, her presence is a marvel to behold. Exquisite and ethereal, her eyes shimmer like fiery rubies against the night sky, complementing the cascade of her dark locks that rival the brilliance of her Atlantic blue gown. With every step, she exudes an aura of regal confidence and poise.

In the recesses of her mind, Levyoka contemplates the man who will soon to be her husband, yearning for a glimpse of adoration in his eyes.

"Come on, am I not a vision of radiance?" she jests, only to find her jest met with silence, her expectations misplaced.

Perplexed, she murmurs, "Huh?"

Amidst the gathering, the arrival of the king commands attention. Despite his years, he retains a formidable presence, his eyes mirroring the vitality of his daughter's.

With a genial smile, the Duke of Gordon Palace Rakon introduces his son, Rafael, reminiscing on the promise he showed in his youth. A marriage proposal, once thought casual, now stands before them as a solemn pact.

Chuckling, the king responds, "Ah, this alliance is but a testament to our enduring friendship. Your son, a paragon of intellect and composure, shall make a fitting match for my daughter."

During Rafael's childhood days, when he and his family visited the illustrious Paresthesia Palace, his charming demeanor left a lasting impression on all who beheld him. The King himself was captivated by Rafael's endearing personality, so much so that he declared, "I shall make you my son." Clad in a dapper black suit, Rafael effortlessly offset his striking appearance with his silver-black hair and mesmerizing crystallized purple eyes, rendering him undeniably handsome. "Oh my, oh my, how many hearts will you leave fluttering in the future?" the King remarked, his smile beaming with pride and amusement.

At present, preparations for the forthcoming nuptials proceed with seamless efficiency, devoid of unnecessary fanfare or commotion.

In the solitude of the hallway, Levyoka attempts to initiate conversation, masking her unease with a practiced smile. "If you are to be my husband, then surely you must make this palace your home. There will be no need for us to venture elsewhere, will there?"

Rafael's response is a veil of silence, his demeanor distant and detached, as if tethered to a world beyond her reach.

Undeterred by his aloofness, Levyoka maintains her composure, though her inner turmoil simmers beneath the surface.

"What was father thinking, pairing me with this man?" she laments inwardly, her frustration barely contained.

Unbeknownst to them, the king's decree binds them together, their fate sealed with the promise of a union yet to come.

"I have a lover," Rafael interjects abruptly, his words laced with indifference. "This marriage is merely a transaction, devoid of any semblance of affection. Do not expect us to play the roles of besotted lovers; there is nothing endearing about you, my dear."

With a graceful step back, Rafael's enigmatic gaze pierces through the facade, leaving Levyoka unsettled in his wake.

Defiant yet disheartened, Levyoka offers a retort, her words laden with resignation. "We are but players in this grand charade, swept along by the currents of fate."