Chapter 1
A Political Wedding
The church doors opened, and trembling, I walked toward the stone platform. My breathing was ragged, and under the veil I could feel sweat trickling down my forehead. I clutched the bouquet tightly in my hands until it hurt. As I arrived, I could hear the murmurs of the crowd—some voices filled with pity, others with suspicion, and a few with indiscreet laughter. I inhaled deeply, trying to keep my composure. Amederis would never allow her dignity to be questioned. I raised my gaze to face the guests. From the corner of my eye, I saw the queen looking at me with coldness and Keylef smirking mockingly. I quickly looked away… What if I couldn’t do this?
Suddenly, the doors burst open, making everyone turn their heads. A tall, broad figure in black armor, covered in what seemed to be blood, walked toward me. Another knight appeared behind him, breathing heavily, trying to stop him.
“Hael, what are you doing? It’s your damn wedding…” he barked. But the man said nothing and kept walking, under the scandalized gaze of everyone present. My legs began to tremble at the sound of his heavy armored steps and the trail of blood he left behind. When he stood before me, I instinctively lowered my gaze. I heard him remove the metal helmet and drop it harshly to the floor, making me flinch.
“Look at me...” he murmured, but fear completely paralyzed me. “I said… LOOK AT ME!” He yanked the veil from my face, forcing me to lift my head in terror. This man… this man was my future husband.
“That’s better… Take a good look at my face, dear wife. Because after today, you’ll never forget it.”
¶
A few weeks earlier
“We must strengthen ties with the Tartareans. The future of Azulis depends on their acceptance,” our father said at the table, making us all look up and fall silent, ending the meaningless chatter.
“What madness are you speaking, dear husband?!” my mother cried out, alarmed, glaring at him with those intense sky-blue eyes.
“It’s a letter I received from their kingdom. They’re requesting a political marriage in exchange for ceasing their naval attacks.”
“Do those people even know how to write, father? Why should we worry about illiterate, magicless barbarians? All we have to do is wait for our troops to surprise them and take back the port territory,” Kyle said with a relaxed smile. My father glared at him, his long white beard trembling.
“If our troops are so good, then why aren’t you leading them, Kylef? You’re my firstborn, and all you’ve brought me is shame.” Nervously, he cleared his throat, running his hand through his mid-length white hair. In the candlelight, his skin looked as pale as it did in daylight.
“Don’t you think it’s more important for me to survive to keep the crown? Royalty doesn’t go to war—that’s for peasants,” he said with irony.
“That might be the only thing you’re good for... You’re nothing but a waste of lineage.” Keylef lowered his gaze, stabbing his vegetables in anger.
“My husband, please, let us calm down. R-really… those… those...” She swallowed hard, her expression twisted in disgust. “Those people can’t possibly do that. We are at war. I won’t marry my daughter off to one of those brutes just so they’ll stop.”
“I’m not asking. I’m telling you what’s going to happen! Azulis has been at war for months, losing men like flies to those savages. A famine is approaching because of the land they stole. We overestimated ourselves, and now look at us—eating scraps at a king’s table!” he roared, throwing his cutlery onto his plate and knocking over his wine glass. I rushed to the table, coming to my senses and quickly trying to clean it. Seeing it was me, he scoffed in annoyance.
“You’re telling me I should throw a welcome party for those beasts who can’t tell the difference between silk and ox wool? This must be a cruel joke, my husband—reconsider this decision.” I tried to clean the wine near my mother’s hand, but she pulled hers away in irritation.
“Women have no voice or vote in the monarch’s decisions. Know your place, dear wife. And where is Amederis?! Why is she always so slow to come down?!”
“Please, my king, I beg you to reconsider. Amederis is just a girl. Marrying her off to that kind of lineage will ruin our bloodline,” she said, appealing to the king’s kindness. I had never seen my mother so shaken.
“It’s better if she doesn’t come down. With that news, she might faint on the spot,” Keylef mocked, licking peach preserves. He looked at me and smiled, sucking his fingers. I looked away, uncomfortable.
“Keylef, please respect your sister. She’s not some—” We heard hurried footsteps and I knew instantly it was Amederis. My mother stood and ordered me,
“Don’t just stand there. Go after her.” Her sharp gaze pierced through me.
“Yes, ma’am!” I rushed up the grand staircase of the castle, and there I saw her fleeing, her immaculate white dress flowing behind her, her long white hair floating like spider silk. She entered her room and slammed the door in my face just as I arrived.
“Miss Amederis, please open the door so we can talk.”
“No...” she replied between sobs.
“Please...”
“Why are you calling me miss?” I quickly corrected myself, speaking hastily.
“Ame, sister… please,” I said gently, and then I heard the door open. She peeked out like a little girl and took my hand, pulling me into the room. Her sky-blue eyes were red from crying. I wiped her delicate face, and like a sulking child, she turned away, collapsing onto her oversized princess bed, as pompous as her dress.
“You heard everything?”
“I’m not stupid. Of course I heard everything. In fact, I already suspected it… but I never imagined it would be them—those filthy people—that father would marry me to. Can you think of anything worse in the world, sister?” I caught my reflection in one of her mirrors and saw my dull hair color and olive skin. Of course there were worse things in the world. Like being born an illegitimate child, with no magic, and worst of all… dull hair. There was no place for a pariah like me in this kingdom so full of light. Amederis noticed my silence and quickly said,
“Sorry… I suppose things are worse for you. I swear, I talk to Mom every day about including you in the family tree.” I shook my head, brushing off her words, which only deepened my pain. I looked at her firmly and said,
“Have you thought it might not be so bad? You haven’t even met him yet… maybe he’ll be a good prince who gives you the life you always dreamed of.” She looked at me in horror and snapped,
“You’re way too optimistic, Amanita… too much for your own good! They’re savages, without culture or manners! And worst of all, you’re making me look like some spoiled little girl who doesn’t see her good fortune. You’re selfish, Amanita...” She threw herself on the bed, crying uncontrollably. I gently stroked her back, trying to comfort her while pushing away my thoughts. What would become of me if Amederis left? I thought of Keylef and his repulsive, lustful gaze and torturous touches. I thought of the queen… my mother—the only one from whom I had ever hoped for a bit of love, but it never came. So what path was left for me now, after this news?
