CHAPTER SIX: The Wedding

"You're joking," Aria said again, louder than she meant to

Lucien smiled "I don't joke about state matters. Especially not ones this public."

She took a step back, like his words had a weight. "Public?"

"Guests are arriving. Invitations were sent out two months ago, security and staff involved ." He sipped from his glass calmly. "You picked the color of the day yourself. Gold and red."

"I didn't pick anything," she snapped. "That wasn't me."

Lucien tilted his head, examining her like a curious animal.

"Maybe not," he said. "But your signature's on every document. Your voice on the planners messages. Your handwriting on the vows. So if that wasn't you, Lena then who was it?"

Aria's hands clenched at her sides. "I don't care. I'm not doing it, I'm leaving ."

Lucien chuckled something close to it being indulgent. "Leave and how do you plan on doing that Lena?"

"I'll walk."

"Past guards who only answer to me? He set down the glass "fine be my guest."

Aria didn't move.

His voice softened, alittle "You're in a gilded cage Lena. I have never denied that. But it's not without comfort."

She stepped toward him, defiant now. "So that's it? Your solution is to marry the girl who doesn't even remember her own self ?"

"I'm offering you structure," Lucien said. "Purpose. And maybe answers, if you're patient."

"Or chains," she muttered.

Lucien crossed the space between them slowly, his presence hard to miss He didn't touch her, but stood close enough that she could feel the quiet hum of him too controlled to be accidental.

"If it's the lake that matters to you," he said quietly, "then I'll make you a deal."

Aria looked up quickly

"You stay," he said. "You go through the wedding. The dinner. The photographs. The vows. You wear the ring. Say the name."

"And in return?"

"I'll have the lake refilled."

She studied him. Looking for deceit, for some telling of falsehood. But there was nothing that could give it away on him

"And if I refuse?" she asked.

"Then it stays dry forever," he said simply. "No more visits. No more questions, no nothing

A minute passed.

Aria's voice dropped awhile "You really think I'd say yes to that?"

Lucien's looked at her .

"You already did."

Aria woke to warmth she didn't remember falling asleep in.

The room was unfamiliar as usual, white walls, cream curtains that moved slightly with the breeze that blew, and the scent of something floral and sweet pressed into the bedding. She sat up too quickly her head spun.

She was already dressed in a silk robe.

Her hair was curled and pinned neatly on her head. Her nails had been painted pink

The dress was waiting on a mannequin across the room: ivory satin, long sleeves, a plunging back, and beadwork that glowed even in the low light. Beside the mannequin, on a mirrored table, lay a velvet box. The engagement ring her engagement ring sat inside it. gold with a stone the color of ash and ice.

Aria stared at it, unblinking when the door opened without a knock. Sophia stepped in, already dressed in a muted dove gray gown. She held a tray in one hand tea, fruit, bread and a velvet pouch in the other.

"Morning," she said "I told them not to wake you. You needed the rest."

Aria didn't answer.

Sophia set the down the tray Then came to the chair by the vanity and sat

"I thought maybe we could do this together," she said. "One last thing, like before."

"Before?"

Sophia smiled faintly. "Before the lake. Before all of this."

Aria looked at her reflection in the mirror. The hair. The gown. The makeup. None of it was her. But the facethe face had started to betray her. It was beginning to look natural, she was starting to get used to it

"Am I supposed to be grateful?" she asked quietly.

Sophia didn't saya anything She opened the velvet pouch and pulled out a pair of earrings. Teardrop diamond,minimal and perfect .

"You don't have to be grateful," she said. "Just present."

Aria picked up the ring. Turned it in her hand. The stone catching light

She slipped it on. And for a moment, she thought she felt something cold pressure on the inside of her finger. But then it was gone.

Sophia watched her but saying nothing

The silence stretched then sophia stood and smoothed her dress.

"I'll give you a minute," she said gently. "They'll come for you when it's time."

She paused at the door.

"You look beautiful," she added. "Just like always

Then she was gone and Aria was alone again.

Not a bride and not Lena.

Just a girl wrapped in white, waiting to walk into something she didn't really choose or know

The door creaked open again ten minutes later. Aria didn't turn around this time. She was still seated at the vanity, staring at her reflection like it might blink first.

Sophia entered quietly, holding a smaller box now. She walked slower less confident than earlier. Her heels barely made a sound across the plush carpet.

"I forgot this," she said, placing the box beside Aria. "The bracelet."

Aria didn't move.

Sophia lingereda bit Her eyes flicked to the mirror, meeting Aria's gaze through the glass.

Then, in a low voice: "You know, you don't have to do it."

Aria's fingers stilled against the edge of the table. "What did you say?"

"You don't have to go through with it."

She said it so softly, like she was afraid the room might hear her.

Aria turned to her, heart hammering now behind her ribs.

"Why are you saying this now?"

Sophia looked away. "Because… there's still time. Once you walk out that door, there won't be."

Aria stood.

"You knew," she said. "You've always known I'm not her. That something isn't right."

Sophia didn't deny it. She just watched her, eyes shiny.

"Then tell me," Aria said, stepping closer. "Tell me who Lena really was. Tell me what this place is."

Sophia flinched like a nerve had been hit.

"I can't," she said. "I've said too much already. They listen."

"Lucien?"

Sophia nodded once.

Aria stared at her, voice dropping to a whisper. "Why are you trying to helpme now?"

"I'm not helping you," Sophia whispered back. "I'm giving you a choice."

A knock at the door broke the silence.

Both women froze.

Another knock, firmer this time.

A muffled voice: "Miss Lena? It's time."

Sophia straightened. Her expression rearranged itself back to calm, pleasant and composed

"I'll be right there," she called.

Then she turned back to Aria, softer now.

"If you run," she whispered, "you better be fast."

Aria swallowed hard.

And for a moment real, sharp second she actually considered it.

But then she thought of the lake and the promise Lucien made.

She lifted her chin.

"Let's go."

Sophia's mouth tightened, but she nodded as she opened the door

And Aria stepped into the hall, toward whatever waited her in the other side