Opened my eyes with the disturbingly bright sun rays. Alone in my bed, barely slept at all. What am I going to do to fix this now? It was going all over in my mind for the whole night.

  Lina had not yet arrived; it must have been quite early. I need to speak with King Dario, that was the Virelan King. This is the only way I can make this up. I could not allow my father to remarry, if he did, when he passed away, there would be nothing left of Solaria.

  Instead, I will marry with King Dario. If my father remarry, then our bloodline and kingdom will last, at least a generation longer. He can still have children, he is 48 years old, I believe still a reasonable age to have children. I’m sure Dario would rule Solaria, when my father dies. How he can accept to get married? We are not considered enemies but we weren’t living happily ever after either. For centuries they always were in a cold war with us. For years, they have stopped at nothing in their pursuit of power and wealth. Virelan’s lands are rugged and barren, incapable of yielding fertile crops or nurturing fruit trees. Their gaze has always been fixed upon our resources and prosperity, envious of what they lack. And now, they dare to set their sights on claiming our entire kingdom. It’s undeniable that the Virelans surpass us in crafting and wielding weapons—a fact that has always given them an edge in conflict. Their ambition, however, knows no bounds, and this time, it threatens to consume everything we hold dear.

  I feel as though I’ve aged thirty years overnight. Now, I must sacrifice myself for my people. At least, I don’t have a lover or someone I hold dear to leave behind. I’m not sure if Lina would want to come with me and live there, but one day, I will take my revenge on Dario. He forced us to surrender our kingdom without bloodshed, but it was no less humiliating. To be honest, even if war had broken out, I doubt we could have lasted a week. Their army is vast, and their weapons far superior—I’ve read about their might in books, but facing it now feels crushingly real.

  I need to make a plan. How will I get to Dario and talk to him? What should I do to him to accept marrying me? Is he even single? That’s far as I know that he is single. I hope.

  As I drowned in my thoughts, Lina entered my room. "Good morning, my lady," she said in her cheerful voice, blissfully unaware of the plans I was about to set into motion. But I wouldn’t tell her, not a word. She would certainly run straight to my father.

  "What would you like for breakfast?" she asked.

  I still can’t believe the most foolish mistake of my life began with such a childish mistake. And I suppose the second one will come when I marry Dario.

  "I don’t know. Just sort something out," I replied, my tone far less bright than hers.

  She left the room to prepare my breakfast. Finally dragging myself out of bed, I walked over to my wardrobe. My eyes skimmed over the array of exquisite dresses Lina's mother had made for me. Today, I felt like wearing something pink.

  By midday, we would likely set out for Virelan. But how does one truly captivate a man? Could my beauty alone be enough to sway him? I’ve never been one for flirtatious charm, and I doubt I could feign it now. Yet today, I had to be extraordinary. I had to be radiant, more than ever before. Should I ask Lina? She had boyfriends before. I hope she doesn’t get what I’m about to use her advices for.

  I sat down at my vanity and began brushing my hair, deciding to style it in a braided updo—a technique I had learned from my mother. For a finishing touch, I picked out a delicate hairpin adorned with small diamonds. Normally, I wouldn’t wear something so extravagant, but today was different. The irony that the diamonds came from Virelan wasn’t lost on me.

  Would I even get a chance to speak with Dario? My father hadn’t even mentioned his plans to me yet. There had been no preparations whatsoever. Engagements and weddings in our kingdom were grand and opulent affairs, requiring at least two months of meticulous planning. Perhaps things were different in Virelan.

  I couldn’t suppress my frustration any longer. I was his daughter, yet he hadn’t spoken a single word to me about this. My anger boiled over, and I shot up from my seat. Determined to confront him, I stormed down the hall toward his chambers. Without bothering to knock, I flung the door open with enough force to nearly break it off its hinges.

  My father looked up, utterly startled by my abrupt entrance.

  With a furious and bewildered expression, he shouted, "What is going on?" He was seated at his desk, and beside him stood Yuvio, the treasury advisor, who was now staring at me with equal surprise.

  "Yuvio, could you please leave us?" I said, my voice sharp yet controlled. He gave a silent nod and left the room within seconds, leaving the storm brewing behind him.

  "When exactly were you planning to tell me?" I shouted, my anger finally spilling over.

  His expression shifted instantly. He knew exactly what I was referring to. Lowering his gaze, he seemed to scramble for the right words, an uncharacteristic hesitation overtaking him. Then, looking back at me, he spoke, his tone measured yet defensive.

  "I was, of course, going to tell you… at the right time.”

  "How old am I? And yet you still refuse to include me in your meetings!" I shouted, my voice trembling with indignation. "Do you not believe I am capable of ruling a kingdom? Or are you planning to hand it over to some nobleman you’ll marry me off to one day?"

  This had gone far beyond simply keeping things from me—it was an outright insult. Making decisions without me was a slap in the face.

  "You’re too young to understand matters of state," he replied, his tone firm but dismissive.

  "Oh, really?" I said with a bitter laugh, my sarcasm cutting through the room like a blade. "At least I wouldn’t be stupid enough to let them conquer our kingdom from within like you have!"

  Without waiting for his response, I turned on my heel and stormed out of the room.

  "Don’t say things you’ll regret, Erynda!" he shouted after me, his voice echoing down the corridor.

  When I returned to my room, Lina was already there, waiting for me with my breakfast. Given how close my father’s chambers were, she must have overheard the shouting.

  "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

  The anger inside me only grew. He still saw me as a little girl or worse, as someone incapable. If my father were to die today, the kingdom would be left to a princess who knew nothing of ruling. I was tired of being underestimated, tired of the endless books and lessons. I was old enough now to take on real responsibility.

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  "I'm fine," I said curtly, deciding for now to focus on the breakfast in front of me.

  As I focused on my breakfast, Rafeya entered my room. "Princess, may I have a word with you?" he asked politely. Lina, sensing the need for privacy, quietly excused herself and left the room.

  Rafeya moved slowly, his gait deliberate as he made his way to the table and took a seat across from me. My eyes traced his bald head and hunched posture. He always wore plain white robes that looked as though they had been cut from an old sheet, yet his wisdom was undeniable. I held deep respect for him.

  The look he gave me felt understanding, almost as if he agreed with me. "Erynda," he began, his voice calm and steady, "you know how much I value you. And yes, I know you’re right. But anger won’t solve this. Today’s visit to Virelan will shape our entire future. That’s why we haven’t spoken of it until now. This is, without a doubt, a conquest without bloodshed.

  "We need access to the trade routes that pass through Virelan, and most of our weapons come from them. You know as well as I do that our greatest strength has never been our military. The reason so many kingdoms have hesitated to challenge us isn’t because of our might but because of the precarious, almost divine, positioning of our land on the cliffs. We’ve been protected by the gods for long enough. Please, prepare yourself for the journey, and try to reconcile with your father."

  I didn’t respond immediately, letting his words sink in. Then, with a faint smirk, I finally spoke. "The righteous are in no rush," I said, my voice carrying a tinge of irony.

  Rafeya smiled, patting my shoulder with a friendly hand. Though I listened to him, my decision hadn’t changed. If my father had to marry, then I would marry in his place. That resolve was firm. I would simply wait for the right moment.

  The journey to Virelan would take two hours, a perfect stretch of time for an overthinking session. A true road trip companion: my thoughts. For now, I focused on finishing my breakfast, realizing how hungry I actually was.

  Lina, knowing it was my favorite, had made me fruity pancakes. They were enough to lift my mood, at least for the moment. I hadn’t even washed my face properly, too distracted by everything weighing on my mind. The stress must have gotten to me more than I realized. I headed to the bathroom to freshen up.

  Lina came into the bathroom to let me know we’d be leaving soon. Since we’d return by nightfall, she wouldn’t be joining me this time, which was unusual for her. Hopefully, I’d find a decent companion for the ride. I’d need to head to the courtyard early to make my choice—I wasn’t about to endure two hours in the same carriage as my father.

  Returning to my room, I quickly donned my cloak and hurried down to the courtyard. My father, ever impatient, had already boarded a carriage with Rafeya. Typical.

  I scanned my options. Commander Pallock was deep in conversation with some mounted soldiers, resplendent in his military uniform. Likely, he’d be riding his horse, which meant he was out of the running, unfortunate, as I liked him.

  Next was Master Xavier. Despite being a knowledgeable elder, he talked endlessly. Absolutely not. Then there was Yuvio, the treasury advisor. I could already imagine him paired with Xavier, filling a carriage with unrelenting chatter. That left Council Head Wilcio. Just him. I approached with a polite smile, which he returned.

  "Princess," he said, stepping forward to open the carriage door for me. I climbed in, and he followed shortly after. I didn’t have a problem with Wilcio. But I couldn’t say I was overly fond of him either.

  After we’d been on the road for a while, Wilcio broke the silence.

  "Princess, I believe everything is well, isn’t it?” he said, flashing a faintly artificial smile.

  I glanced at his tired eyes, unimpressed. "Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?" I replied dryly.

  His smile grew, as fake as ever. "With your secret attendance at meetings, I’m sure you’re already well-informed. But let me remind you—your father isn’t the one who should be next in line for marriage."

  I stared at him for a moment, trying to process what he was hinting at. "I was under the impression that no final decisions had been made," I said cautiously.

  "Decisions are often made," he replied, his tone infuriatingly smug, "but they’re not always carried out and done. It’s just the flow of the life.”

  I couldn’t help but notice how utterly ridiculous and stupid he looked in his ruffled shirt and embroidered purple coat, smiling as if he held all the answers.

  "You must have a solid plan, then," I said, keeping my tone neutral, though I could feel my frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

  The truth was, if there were a way to give Virelan what they wanted without a marriage, I would gladly hear it.

  "Certain sacrifices will be made," he admitted, his smile unwavering, "but I assure you, the outcomes will be far better for Solaria in the long run.”

  I didn’t respond and instead kept my gaze fixed on the road. I couldn’t get a single hint about what he was thinking. Perhaps it was land, perhaps a port, ships—maybe he was planning to give something to Dario. Whatever it was, I hoped it didn’t result in anything worse than marriage. A part of me regretted not staying in the meeting longer, and listening to the rest of exactly what was being discussed.

  As we neared Virelan, the trees became sparse, and the landscape turned rocky and mountainous. The sun was beating down directly, making the air uncomfortably warm. I stripped off my cloak, trying to ease the heat.

  My mind was consumed with plans, yet Wilcio had managed to throw me off balance. Of course, I wasn’t about to let him control our fate entirely—but for now, I would wait. More than anything, I was waiting for the night to end.

  This was my first time arriving in Virelan, and compared to Solaria, everything here seemed so gray and lifeless. There was a haze in the air, probably from the mines. Our carriages entered the courtyard, and once again, the castles looked so plain. As I stepped out of the carriage, I noticed my father had already disembarked and was heading straight toward Dario, who was waiting for him.

  That was the first moment I saw Dario. His jet-black, short hair and sun-kissed, darker skin, like everyone else from Virelan, stood out immediately. He had a youthful, sharp, freshly-shaven face with high cheekbones. He couldn’t have been much older than me—a young king. He wore armor of impeccable craftsmanship, that I could tell from a mile away.

  "King Astor! It's been too long!" he greeted my father with cheerful enthusiasm, wrapping him in a friendly embrace. I knew this familiarity was all for show, but it still took me by surprise. Over my father's shoulder, Dario’s eyes met mine. In this dull, gray world, I must have stood out, a flash of color in my pink dress, like an exotic bird. It felt as though everyone’s gaze was on me.

  "This must be the princess," Dario said, his voice smooth and calculated. My father turned to me and said, "Ah, yes, meet Erynda."

  I walked over with the same fake smile plastered on my face. I curtsied and said, "King Dario, it’s an honor to meet you."

  My father, clearly catching the sarcasm in my tone, shot me a sharp look. Dario mirrored the same smile and replied, "The honor is mine.”

  His eyes were full of challenge, as though he knew we were at his mercy. His expression was unbearably arrogant. The man standing beside him, clearly an important figure, spoke up.

  "Your Majesty, shall we move to the dining hall?"

  Dario turned to me with that same condescending smile. "It would be an honor to accompany you, Princess," he said, extending his arm. I reluctantly placed my arm in his. What a gentleman.

  The forced smile on my face made my cheeks ache, and once I turned my back to my father, I immediately let my expression fall. We walked in front—my father on the left, and I on his right. After a minute or so, we reached the dining hall.

  As we walked, I noticed Dario would occasionally glance at me out of the corner of his eye. I never once looked back at him. Around him, there were a few government officials, but not a single woman in sight. So he is single, then.

  The dining hall was simple and plain, unlike anything I was used to in Solaria. The tables weren’t overflowing with food, and the long dining table—probably set for about twenty people—looked sparse. A man approached me and, with a polite gesture, indicated where I should sit. He escorted me to my seat, and I sat down.

  Just as we were about to sit down, the Widow Queen and her two daughters arrived. Everyone left preparing to take their seats, and I do too stood to greet the queen.

  “I am quite sorry for your loss, Queen Elyria," my father said, his tone respectful but distant. I followed his lead, offering the same words.

  I then turned my attention to the two girls. They were both around my age and resembled their mother greatly—long, jet-black hair and sun-kissed skin. I approached them and curtsied. "I’m Erynda," I introduced myself.

  The first girl, with full lips and strikingly beautiful black eyes, smiled and replied, "I’m Arina. It's a pleasure to meet you."

  The other girl was similar in appearance, though she seemed less enthusiastic than her sister. I felt her eyes checking me from head to toe. "I’m Tyrin," she said flatly. All three of them were dressed in simple, black dresses. Given the mourning, it seemed everyone had opted for dark colors. They had pearls instead of diamonds, as a tradition to wear while mourning. And these were from Solaria, for sure.

  The Queen seated my father at the head of the table, placing herself on his left, and Dario sat on his right. This began to irritate me. Rafeya sat next to my father, and I sat beside Rafeya. The daughters and their advisors took their seats across from us. The table was so large that conversing across it was not easy.

  Wilcio came and sat next to me. His eyes seemed to say, "You're progressing perfectly."

  The Queen tapped her knife against her glass, signaling for the service to begin. "Let the service start, please," she said, her voice commanding. The servants began to serve our food and wine, while someone played the harp in the background. Their appreciation for the arts almost brought a tear to my eye.

  The meal looked exquisite. I ate in silence, avoiding conversation with anyone. I even didn’t listen to them, I just enjoyed my meal. The girls did the same. They never ever had an eye contact with me. I don’t know why they were acting so distant. I would try to be more friendly if they were ever visiting Solaria.

  Most of the table talk was about just normal stuff. I had no idea when the topic of the engagement would come up. The Queen, at intervals, would casually touch my father's hand in a manner that seemed too intimate, which made me quite angry.