2.

Aeris pov

Flashback of the Wedding.

The grand hall of the palace is bathed in the golden light of hundreds of candles, their flickering flames casting soft shadows across the marble floor. The air is thick with the fragrance of roses and jasmine, a sharp contrast to the chill of winter that lingers outside the palace walls. My breath catches in my throat as I stand before the full-length mirror, watching my reflection. The wedding gown, heavy with intricate silver embroidery, weighs down on me, the delicate fabric clinging to my frame. I almost wish it were lighter, so I could feel less suffocated.

But it's not the dress that makes me feel trapped.

It's the promise that it represents. A promise made by my father, the King of Gorrismo, to secure peace between two kingdoms at war for generations. A promise that now binds me to a man I barely know, a man whose kindness I have come to question. Carlos.

The Grand Duke of Gorisimo, whose every smile has been nothing but a mask.

The sound of footsteps behind me interrupts my thoughts, and I turn to see my maid, Analia, standing with a hesitant smile. Her hands tremble as she adjusts the veil, a shimmering, transparent layer of lace that falls over my face like a curtain of doubt. She knows the truth,she's seen the flicker of uncertainty in my eyes. 

"You look beautiful, Your Highness," she says softly, her voice laced with apprehension. 

"Do I?" I ask, my gaze drifting back to the mirror. It's hard to see beauty when all I can feel is the weight of the world bearing down on me. 

She doesn't respond right away, and I'm grateful for the silence. No one has truly asked me how I feel about this marriage. No one has cared enough to wonder. 

As I stand there, the distant sound of the wedding bells tolls, signaling that the ceremony is about to begin. The entire palace is filled with guests,noblemen and women from both Gorisimo and Lotisana, their faces masked with the same forced smiles they've worn for the last few days. The same smiles I'm expected to wear. 

The door to my chamber opens, and my father enters, his regal presence filling the room. His stern expression falters as he sees me, but only for a moment. He is not one for sentiment. His eyes are cold and distant, as they always have been. 

"Aeris," he says, his voice devoid of warmth, "it is time."

I swallow hard, nodding as I step forward. I know my duty. I am the Crown Princess of Gorrismo, and my life is not my own. Not anymore. 

As we walk down the long corridor toward the grand hall, the weight of the veil grows heavier with every step. My father walks ahead, his footsteps echoing like the beat of a drum, signaling the inevitable. A small part of me wishes I could run, escape, but the thought is fleeting. There is no escape. Not now. Not ever.

The heavy wooden doors to the hall creak open, and I am greeted by a sea of faces. Strangers, allies, enemies, all watching me with eager eyes. And then, standing at the altar, is Carlos. 

He is tall, his figure imposing, dressed in the regal colors of Lotisiana. His expression is calm, but there's something unsettling about it. The way he stands so still, so perfect, as though he is playing a part in a grand performance. His lips curl into a smile when he sees me, and for a brief moment, I wonder if he feels any true affection for me. 

But I quickly dismiss the thought. Affection is a luxury for people who are free. I am not free. Not now, and not after this wedding.

I walk slowly toward him, my every step measured, each movement precise. I am the crown princess, the warrior who fought to protect her people, yet now, in this moment, I feel more like a pawn or a sacrifice to ensure peace between two nations. 

When I reach the altar, Carlos takes my hand. His grip is warm, almost too warm, and I have to fight the instinct to pull away. His fingers brush against the delicate fabric of my gown, and I feel a shiver run through me. There is something about the way he touches me,something that feels possessive, calculated. His eyes, dark and unreadable, lock onto mine, and for a moment, I can't look away. 

The priest begins the ceremony, his voice a low hum in the background as my thoughts whirl. Carlos speaks his vows, his words flowing easily, and I wonder if he's practiced them a thousand times. He speaks of peace, of love, of a future we will build together. His words sound rehearsed, almost too perfect, like the mask he wears every day. 

When it's my turn to speak, my heart races, but I force myself to say the words,words I've said a hundred times in my head, but never with such weight. 

"I vow to protect this kingdom, to stand by you through all things, for the sake of peace," I say, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. 

Carlos smiles, his eyes gleaming with a look that makes my blood run cold. 

"Peace," he repeats softly. "And more than that, Aeris. I promise you a future in which you will never have to fight again."

The words hang in the air like a spell, and I can't help but wonder if I am already lost,whether this vow is not to protect, but to imprison me. 

The priest continues, the ceremony nearing its end, but I can't shake the feeling that something is terribly wrong. My mind flashes to the night before, when I first began to feel the strange weight in my chest. The ache that has only grown worse, gnawing at me, weakening me bit by bit. 

But I've said the vows. I've played my part. There is no turning back now.

And so, with trembling hands, I place my crown on my head, sealing the bond between Lotisana and Gorisimo, between Carlos and me. 

But as he leans in to kiss me, I can't help but wonder,Is this the beginning of peace, or the end of everything I've ever known?

And in that fleeting moment, as his lips press against mine, I feel the faintest sting in my throat,the first sign that peace has come at too great a cost.