rone room, carefully lifting my dr

rvously under the weight

their gazes, but I tried to hold my h

ne of noble blood, at least as far as I

essman who sold flowers,

r from the public market, and yet...

won't need to sell flowers on this street anymore. Instead, you

my face warmed with embarrassment

e King of Vynsera play a trick on someone like me? But it wasn't a

pered, and I finally reached the end of the stairs, obviou

uty," another voice, belonging to a nobleman,

throne, I found Aidan's gaze fixed on me. His blue

announced, rising from his

hemselves, their voices filled

he seemed like a king, possibly from a different k

Aidan held my hand gently, leading me to the seat beside his. I s

"From this day forward, she will be m

gestures of those around me. My heart po

like this before, yet something a

ut it could only be a figment of my imagination, as it was e

into the evening. I smiled when spoken to and nodded politely when addressed,

ice warm. "Violet, step forward." I hesitated before

rnate piece to Aidan. "From this moment forth,

Aidan smiles, then, without warning, presses a kiss to

as the room erupted in cheers, I closed

laughter. until exhaustion set in an

e Aidan hadn't spoken about it. Why did I claim I wou

on me again. But why did it feel a

stood up and lifted my dress with one

path. Her eyes held quite a warning. "I assu

the kind of man King Aidan truly

ld ask what she meant, she turned

words settled in my

kind he had been with me. I couldn't stress myself ov

had ended, and Aidan greeted me wit

e you to your chambers. They will

ill you... be joining me?" I hesitat

arning, but Aidan looked preoccupie

and I'd be seeing King Ronivar off as well." He promised, bringing my han

ing who said in whispers, wishing he had met me firs

hind him as he strode int

•

e air felt cold and eerie. The sky was dar

like smoke above the castle's towers. What was it ab

y head as if she had

rned just as armored guards rushed down the corridors, their swor

ced a shift in the sky. The clouds churned angrily, the air growing he

"By order of the king, y

ste, Queen Violet!" Ray

My voice was small, bare

ay... the king's dead brother has return

Sriza, her face pale as though she knew so muc

he true heir to the

within me. I should feel only fear

as once dead and no

The guards pulled me away, and the