The Prince's Arranged Marriage

The morning sun spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows of my hotel suite, casting golden streaks across the marble floors. Outside, Veridia stirred awake—cars weaving through the streets, early risers bustling about their business, and the hum of the city filling the air.

I had hardly slept.

My mind had been a battlefield, warring with thoughts I didn't want to entertain. Thoughts of last night. Of Alexander. Of the way the dance had felt like something it shouldn't have been.

I ran a hand through my hair and let out a slow breath. It didn't matter. It couldn't matter.

There were more pressing things ahead—the tour, the speech, the ridiculous façade we had to keep up.

A sharp knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts. I already knew who it was before I even opened it.

Alexander stood there, dressed impeccably in a crisp white shirt and tailored navy blazer, looking as composed as ever. As if the night before had been nothing but another obligation checked off his list. His expression was neutral, unreadable, but I caught the flicker of something in his gaze—a curiosity he wouldn't voice.

"Ready?" he asked, ever so diplomatic.

I exhaled sharply and stepped past him. "Let's just get this over with."

The moment I slid into the car, I braced myself for the hours ahead. The journey to Aquamarina would be long, and my only companion was the one person I least wanted to endure it with.

Alexander sat across from me, looking insufferably composed as always. He had opted for a simple, elegant ensemble—an ivory shirt with the sleeves neatly cuffed, a navy vest tailored to perfection. Not a hair out of place, not a trace of exhaustion from the late night before. It was as if nothing affected him.

I, on the other hand, felt the weight of it all.

The tension between us crackled like a storm waiting to break. I could feel his gaze flicker toward me every so often, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of meeting it. Instead, I turned toward the window, watching as Veridia slowly faded into the distance, its grandeur giving way to the open countryside.

Minutes stretched into silence.

I could sense himwaiting. Expecting me to acknwledge him.

The morning air was crisp as we departed from Aeurum Royal Hotel, but my mood was anything but light. Sleep had evaded me, leaving only frustration in its wake—frustration at last night's events, frustration at Alexander, frustration at myself for allowing even a moment of uncertainty to slip through the carefully constructed walls I had built.

The convoy set off from Aeurum Royal Hotel precisely at eight. The roads were lined with onlookers, citizens waving small flags and holding up banners of support—some forced, some genuine. The city of Veridia was magnificent as always, a perfect blend of historical grandeur and modern innovation.

The convoy rolled through Veridia's grand avenues, past towering spires and polished glass structures reflecting the early sunlight. People lined the streets, waving banners bearing the emblems of Veridia and Avaloria. Some faces were eager, others skeptical, but all eyes were on us—watching, scrutinizing, waiting to be convinced that this charade of a union was more than a political move.

As we drove through the streets, I saw it in full force. Towering glass skyscrapers stood alongside ancient stone buildings, a seamless fusion of past and future. Streetlights with intricate wrought-iron designs lined the roads, fitted with state-of-the-art technology that adjusted to the light of day. Shops displayed holographic advertisements above charming, old-world facades, the scent of fresh bread and roasted coffee mixing with the crisp morning air.

Veridia was my home, my kingdom. And yet, it didn't feel like mine today. Not when I was leaving it behind.

I turned my attention to the window, watching as the city gave way to sprawling countryside. The further we traveled, the more the scenery shifted—rolling emerald fields stretching as far as the eye could see, dotted with clusters of white cottages and ancient ruins that spoke of a past long before our time. The roads wound through valleys where rivers shimmered under the sunlight, their waters carving paths through the land like veins of silver.

It was beautiful.

And yet, the silence in the car was suffocating.

I hated silence. It left too much room for thought.

I glanced at Alexander, who was—infuriatingly—unbothered. He sat with the same composed elegance as always, one leg crossed over the other, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery. If he had any lingering thoughts about last night, he gave no indication.

I wasn't sure if that relieved me or irritated me.

"So," I said, finally breaking the silence. "How does it feel knowing you'll have to endure my company for the entire journey?"

Alexander arched a brow, barely sparing me a glance. "If I recall correctly, you were the one sulking last night."

I scoffed. "I don't sulk."

A smirk tugged at his lips. "You absolutely do."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "I was tired. Unlike you, I actually experience emotions beyond strategic calculations."

"And yet, you hide them so well," he mused, his voice laced with amusement.

I clenched my jaw, my patience thinning. "I'm beginning to think you enjoy annoying me."

"Beginning to?" he echoed, feigning surprise. "Lucien, I thought you'd figured that out the moment we met."

I shot him a glare, remembering all too well the ball in Eldoria two years ago—the moment I realized what kind of person Alexander was. Cold, distant, dismissive. He had looked right past me that night, treating me like I was insignificant.

And now, here we were.

Trapped in a car together, heading toward another city where we'd have to pretend to be madly in love.

The irony was unbearable.

As we neared Aquamarina, the landscape changed once more. The scent of salt and brine filled the air, mingling with the crisp breeze rolling in from the sea. Towering cliffs framed the coastline, their rugged surfaces softened by the golden sunlight. Below, waves crashed against the rocks, sending white foam spraying into the air.

Further ahead, the city of Aquamarina came into view.

It was breathtaking.

Unlike Veridia, which was a seamless blend of past and future, Aquamarina had the charm of an old-world coastal town, infused with modern sophistication. The city's architecture was a mix of grand maritime-style buildings, painted in hues of blue and white, their rooftops adorned with intricate carvings of sea creatures. Narrow cobblestone streets wound through the city, leading to open plazas where fountains shaped like ship prows poured water into basins of glimmering mosaic tiles.

And then there was the harbor.

It stretched endlessly, filled with ships of all sizes—merchant vessels, luxury yachts, and grand naval ships that bore the insignias of both Veridia and Avaloria. The docks bustled with life, traders calling out their wares, workers loading and unloading cargo, street musicians playing lively tunes on violins and accordions.

It was a city that thrived on movement, on trade, on the constant ebb and flow of people from all corners of the world.

I should have been excited.

Instead, all I felt was the suffocating weight of what awaited us.

The convoy pulled into Harbor Square, where a massive crowd had gathered to welcome us. Banners bearing the emblems of Veridia and Avaloria fluttered in the breeze, and the people cheered as we stepped out of the car.

Govenor Laurent, a broad-shouldered man in his late fifties, approached us with a warm smile. "Your Highnesses," he greeted, bowing respectfully. "Welcome to Aquamarina."

I forced a smile. "Thank you, Governor."

I felt out of place, it felt like I didn't know where home was anymore.

Before I could dwell on it, Alexander leaned in slightly, his voice lower than before. "See? Not everything about this trip is unbearable."

I clenched my jaw, shoving the compass into my pocket. "Give it time."

Alexander chuckled. "Oh, Lucien. You make this far too easy."

I didn't respond.

Because the truth was, despite everything, part of me feared he was right.