The heavy door of the palace slowly creaked open. The morning light streamed inside, turning tiny dust particles dancing in the cold stone walls into golden specks. This was the place where decisions were made; where destinies were carved. Massive chandeliers hanging from the high ceilings illuminated the room gracefully, but the burdens in the hearts of those present overshadowed even this light.
A young man walked heavily toward the center of the room. There was no joy or hope on his face — only the fatigue of a weight too heavy to bear. Behind him, the door slammed shut with a loud thud. He looked up to find his father standing there, his shoulders straight but his face marked by the hardness that comes from years of responsibility.
Silence stretched between them, deep and meaningful. Then the father spoke in a heavy voice:
"Come here."
The young man quickened his steps and stood beside him. They stood without looking at each other for a long moment. Then the father said,
"There are matters we need to discuss. Important decisions for the kingdom, for our family's future."
"What happened?" the young man asked, his voice trembling but attentive.
"In the coming days, a marriage will take place."
"A marriage? Mine?"
"Yes, yours."
The young man's heart tightened; words caught in his throat.
"With whom?"
"The middle daughter of the Valenhardt family, Sora Valenhard."
He was silent for a moment, eyes dropping to the floor.
"Sora..." he whispered.
His father's voice hardened.
"This is not a choice; it is a duty. For the sake of the kingdom."
"But she is so young. I'm not ready."
"You will be. Life will force you."
Fear and anger flickered in the young man's eyes, but he said nothing.
"I know," he finally said, "but it frightens me."
His father's voice softened but remained firm:
"Fear is power. You must learn to control it."
The young man lifted his gaze.
"I hope I can."
---
At the Valenhard Castle, silence echoed between the heavy stone walls, competing with the storm raging inside Sora. She stared out from the large hall's windows at the vast valleys and endless forests... all barriers to her freedom. Her hands clenched tightly. Her heart longed for freedom, to live her life on her own terms... but the weight of family and duty pressed down on her.
Her father, Zico, stood opposite her; his eyes carried a mix of love, worry, and obligation.
"This marriage is necessary for our family's future."
"I don't want this," Sora said, her voice firm but fragile. "I want to live my own life."
Zico shook his head.
"I understand, but sometimes power demands painful sacrifices. A family cannot stand without unity."
Tears welled up in Sora's eyes, but she tried to hide them.
"Maybe being family means losing myself."
Zico took a step closer.
"This is just the beginning, Sora. This marriage will strengthen our house. If you resist, you put us all at risk."
Sora took a deep breath and turned her gaze to the distance.
"I hope one day I can choose my own path."
Zico gave a faint smile.
"Maybe one day, but not today."
---
News arrived at the palace; the Valenhard family had accepted the proposal.
The king breathed a short sigh of relief, a brief ease crossing his face — but the darkness inside him only deepened.
A soft knock came at the door. The king's right hand entered, his expression cold and stern.
The king looked at him, waiting.
The man took a deep breath, his voice cold and sharp:
"Our mission has failed."
The room turned icy, silence stretched long.
"And… that man..."
There was no warmth in his voice.
"He is dead."
For a moment, the king's face trembled with a fear that was hard to describe —
A fear unlike any other...
To be Contuined....