Fate was playing with her.

Liora remained kneeling, her heart pounding in her chest. Every word Lucien uttered felt like a slap.

"I will not take her."

His voice was sharp, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

The court was silent, uneasy, whispers that flickered like sparks among the ministers and nobles. Liora's fingers trembled, clutching the fabric of her dress, but she kept her head bowed, hoping the earth would swallow her whole.

Alden's voice cut through the tension, calm but firm. "Lucien, you forget yourself. This is not a matter of choice."

Lucien moved forward, his steps slow and deliberate, the echoes loud in the still hall. "A choice? What choice, Alden? You decide, as always, and call it law."

"You will watch your tone," Alden said, his voice steady, but the warning was clear.

Lucien laughed, low and bitter. "Why? Are you going to take my name from me next? Or my home? Fine. Take everything else you want. I've lost all of it anyway."

Liora felt the sting in his words. They weren't for her, but somehow, they cut through her defenses anyway.

"I'm not here to argue with you," Alden said. "The kingdom needs stability, and this is the way forward.

He looked over at Liora, who hadn't been able to lift her face. For an instant, the coldness softened; he might almost have thought pity had not his features seemed so locked into unreadable stillness.

"I will not do this," he said, and though his voice was softer, no less firm. "Not her. Not any."

The crowd hummed, murmuring its protests. Alden raised a hand, holding it down.

You will comply with this edict," Alden declared, his voice stern. "Your rejection is not possible."

Lucien's face furrowed into a frown. He stared at his brother and then returned to Liora. For an instant, she had hoped he might add some final word, but instead, he wheeled around and strode from the hall, the heavy soles of his boots booming with his stride as he was followed by his personal servant.

As he Left He left silence behind. Liora's chest constricted, but she was frozen, unsure of what to do or say.

Alden sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as he was irked with his brother's behaviour. "Continue with the announcement," he announced

The herald stepped forward, clearing his throat nervously. "Lady Liora of Mirals is hereby named concubine to Prince Lucien by royal decree. She will be escorted to his estate and placed under his protection."

Meanwhile...

Behind the lattice curtain where the noblewomen were seated, a faint scoff could be heard through the quiet atmosphere.

All eyes turned to Lady Ophelia. She was the epitome of elegance; her honey brown eyes were sharp and piercing, just opposite of the beauty she held. Her lips curved into a smile so faint it could almost be called a smirk. She tilted her head slightly, as if the announcement had been nothing more than a poorly told joke.

The Queen Dowager's gaze flicked toward her distant niece. "Something to share, Lady Ophelia?"

Ophelia placed her gloved hands delicately on her lap, her face serene, though her voice dripped with restrained venom. "Not at all, Your Grace. I simply admire how swiftly the matter has been resolved."

Her words carried hidden mockery, one that didn't go unnoticed. The Queen Dowager's face remained impassive, but the sharpness in her eyes betrayed her displeasure.

"It was decided because it had to be," the Queen Dowager said, her voice clipped.

Ophelia dipped her head in a mock gesture of respect. "Of course. Who am I to question such wise decisions?"

The Queen Dowager leaned forward slightly, her voice a low murmur that carried only to Ophelia. "Careful, child. Your tongue may charm lesser men, but it holds no sway here."

Ophelia's smile didn't even flicker, but her fingers tightened for an instant on the folds of her dress. "I live to serve, Your Grace."

She turned her attention back to the court floor, where Liora was being led away. Ophelia's eyes lingered, very calculating.

*So, this is the girl they've chosen.*

There was no denying that Liora was beautiful, even as she walked with her head bowed, her steps uncertain. Her simple lavender dress, though elegant, was no match for the finely embroidered silks Ophelia wore. Yet, it was the humility in Liora's demeanor that irked Ophelia the most.

'Does she even know what she's stepping into? Or is she just another pawn in their game?'

Ophelia watched Liora until she was gone through the doors. She leaned back in her seat, a soft, almost a chuckle escaping her lips.

The Queen Dowager caught the sound and pinned Ophelia with a pointed look. "You would do well to mind yourself, Ophelia. The court is no place for petty grievances."

Ophelia's smile returned, serene and untroubled. "Grievances, Your Grace? I harbor none. I pray only the new concubine. finds strength in her new role."

"Good," the Queen Dowager replied, her voice glacial. "You'd do well to remember that."

Ophelia inclined her head graciously, though her thoughts remained her own.

'Strength? She'll need far more than that.'

----

Liora sat quietly in the chamber, which was hers for the night. The light from the candles made soft shadows against the walls, but it could do little against the restlessness of her heart. Her mind went back to one thought,

*Have I met Lucien before?'

With that thought she remembered some dark incident from the past, one she had long buried, but the details felt hazy, like a half-remembered dream.

'Is he that man?'

This question made her uneasy, and she shook her head, trying to dispel the memory of years ago. It couldn't be true. Maybe it was just her mind playing tricks on her after such an overwhelming day.

A soft knock on the door brought her back from her thoughts.

"Madam," Mira's voice called from outside. Without waiting for Liora's permission, the maid entered, carrying a bowl of steaming water. Her hands moved deftly as she placed the bowl on a stand near Liora's bed.

Mira turned to her with a bright smile. "It's time to freshen up, madam. Let me help you."

Liora sat up straighter, suddenly flustered. "That won't be necessary. I can manage on my own."

Mira's eyebrows knitted momentarily, but she didn't say anything as she knelt down before Liora. Before the latter could raise any more protestations, the maid took her feet and began stripping off her stockings.

"Please," Liora said, as she was not comfortable with it. "You don't have to..."

"It's my duty, madam." Mira interrupted gently; her tone was cheerful but very firm as she refused to let go of her duties. She looked up at Liora with a playful grin. "You'll have to get used to it. After all, you're not just anyone anymore. After today's announcement, You're a lady of the court now and Prince Lucien's concubine. Is not this a Dream?"

The mention of Lucien caused Liora's cheeks to flare with color a deep crimson. She tried to open her mouth to reply but found herself at a loss for words.

Mira snorted lightly as she picked up a cloth, dipping it in the steaming water to start cleaning Liora's feet. "Ah, I see. You are quite blushing already! Do not worry, madam. The prince may be cold, but I have heard stories. He was not always like this.

Liora's heart sank at the mention of Lucien. She could not forget his words in the court and that outright rejection of her.

'I won't take this girl as my concubine. I won't allow any other woman in my house.'

Fate was playing with her.

Her hands gripped the edge of her dress tightly as the memory resurfaced, stinging as fresh as if it had just happened. There seemed to be no house she would call hers.

Mira noticed the shift in her madam's expression and quickly tried to lighten the mood. "You know, they say the prince has eyes like frozen seas, so cold, but so beautiful. Did you notice?"

Liora hesitated, remembering the moment she had dared to look up at him in the court. His eyes had indeed been striking an intense, almost icy blue, but there had been no warmth in them, only disdain.

"I did," she admitted softly, though her tone was far from admiring her new umm husband.

Mira tilted her head curiously. "He's handsome, isn't he?"

Liora didn't respond, and Mira's playful smile dimmed a little. She examined Liora for a moment before leaning in closer and lowering her voice to a whisper. "He said those things in court because he's hurting, madam. Everyone knows it. But don't let his words discourage you. The Queen Dowager chose you for a reason. You have a chance to make him see things differently.

Liora bit her lip, not knowing what to say. 'How could she get him to see her differently when he hadn't even wanted to see her at all in the court?'

Mira finished washing her feet and stood, drying her hands on a cloth. "You'll be fine," she said with a reassuring smile. "Just be yourself. The prince will come around eventually."

But Liora wasn't so sure. As Mira left the room, leaving her alone with her thoughts once more, she found herself wondering if Mira's optimism was misplaced.

'What if he never welcomes me? What if he never even sees me as anything more than an unwanted burden, just like my uncle and aunt did?'

Liora let out a soft sigh and leaned back against the pillows, staring up at the ceiling. Tomorrow, she would be sent to his estate, and her life would change forever.