own from the moment they met that there was something between them, something beyond mere chance, but she had never imagined it would grow so quickly, so profound

was the

her mind, his voice echoed in her thoughts. She couldn't explain it, and she didn't want to. What was she supposed to do with these feelings? She wa

the shift in Isabella's demeanor the mome

aid gently, "are you unw

ent. Clara had been with her since childhood, and t

soft sigh, but the words didn't feel true.

spoken much since the meeting with Prince Ca

ith how well their conversation had gone, but Isabella couldn't shake the feeling that she was playing a role she didn't want to fill. The prince had been charming, b

didn't quite reach her eyes. "Everything is moving so quickly, Cla

that your duty comes first. But you must remember that this marriage to Prince Caspian is for the g

e life. That I'm a symbol. But no one has ever asked me what I want, Clara. No one has ever asked what I feel. It's alw

know this is hard. You are an extraordinary woman with an even greater heart. But duty can be a heavy burden. You're

. Her parents had always been the epitome of duty and sacrifice. But deep down, Isabella wondered if they had

ted her thoughts. Clara opened it,

ed your presence in the royal gardens," th

. It was the anticipation of seeing him, of seeing Caspian, and yet, her thoughts immediately drifted to Thorne. The thoug

lied softly, giving Clara a faint s

obblestone paths. Flowers bloomed in vibrant colors, their petals swaying lightly in the breeze. The entire setting was d

his kingdom-rich blues and golds that reflected his noble status. His posture was perfect, his expression composed, yet there was someth

e bow, his voice as smooth and practiced as always. "

. "Your Highness, it's been an honor to

I must admit, I've been looking forward to this meeting. O

gether in a tight smile. "Yes, I und

ances, the benefits of their marriage-there was a lack of true engagement. Every word Caspian spoke was measured, calculated. And though Isabella tried to maintai

aspian asked suddenly, his voice lace

e. There was something almost vulnerable in the question, a side of him she ha

plied, her voice neutral. "Yo

his marriage will benefit both of us, Princess. Together, we will rule in a way that ou

ords he said, to accept that this was the right path. But deep down, she knew there

the gardens, Prince Caspian

abella," he said softly, his voic

the same way, that the future he envisioned wasn't the one she had dreamed of. Bu

Highness.

nd the life she longed for. And as the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the