Bridge Of Fate

The crowd held their breath as Bianca and her groom stepped forward first.

For a moment—nothing.

Then, as her foot hovered over the abyss—

Golden light flared beneath her.

A bridge of pure celestial energy formed, solid and unyielding.

She smirked, basking in the moment.

Unaware that the Duke of White Raven stood beside her as groom.

She walked forward, crossing into what she believed to be her destiny. Queen of the Celestial realm, ultimate ruler of the Heavens.

Then—Ariel stepped forward.

She hesitated.

"Nervous, Little dove?" She heard his voice, low and deep, crawling up her skin.

She couldn't see him, but she knew he was watching her.

She gave him no reply. She was scared he would realize she was the wrong bride.

And then— she moved further.

A bridge appeared beneath her, but it was different.

Not golden.

Midnight blue, flecked with burning embers.

The air shifted, a whisper of something ancient, watching.

Something waiting.

She had no choice but to move forward.

And so she did.

The Prince burning eyes locked onto Ariel the moment she crossed the bridge.

She didn't have to see his face to know—he was watching her.

Ariel's lungs tightened. Her nerves kicked in.

She didn't know why, but for the first time, she wondered—

Had she tricked him… or had she walked into his trap?

And then—she looked back.

For the first time, she turned her head.

Her gaze locked onto Ava, her little sister, the girl who had once climbed walls, who had once dared to dream beyond the palace gates.

Ariel should have stayed longer.

Should have whispered something, should have given Ava one last moment, one last comfort.

But the world did not give her time.

Because in front of her, waiting, was the man she was bound to.

And for the first time—she felt like she had stepped onto the edge of a blade.

---

As the carriages prepared to depart, a court of attendants moved to follow Ariel.

But—

The Celestial Prince raised a hand.

"The princess does not require a court," he said, his voice low, commanding, absolute.

For a split second, silence.

Then, whispers.

A court official hesitated. "Your Highness, tradition—"

"The princess will be attended to personally."

The words were final. A command, not an invitation.

Derek muttered, "No court? Just her? Damn, talk about possessive."

Kathleen pinched his arm. "Shut up."

Ariel, still hidden beneath the Veil Maiden's enchantment, let out a slow exhale.

Well, that's not suspicious at all.

---

The crowds cheered. Bells tolled.

The celestial carriage floated, while the White Raven carriage rolled away—both taking their brides with their fated husbands.

The Celestial carriage carried Ariel—but the people believed it to be Bianca.

The White Raven carriage carried Bianca—but the people believed it to be Ariel.

And as the Palace faded behind them, Ariel couldn't help but smirk.

They had no idea.

Not yet.

But they would.

Soon, they would.