crown prince thought

After the duke is gone

The duke’s presence lingered long after he was gone.

The Crown Prince walked on, hands clasped behind his back, irritation crawling under his skin. Duke Ardent never visited the palace without reason. Men like him didn’t wander halls out of habit.

Troublesome, he thought.

And the source of that trouble had a name.

Elina Ardent.

He scoffed quietly.

And his daughter

A spoiled noble daughter raised by a war beast. Always fragile. Always dramatic. and acting as though the world owed her comfort.

A few days ago, she had stood before him with flushed cheeks and trembling hands and asked him to marry her.

Marry?

She asked it like if ...

As if affection could be demanded.

As if titles were toys to be grasped.

Prince, prince, he mocked inwardly. And I’ll be your princess.

Ridiculous.

She didn’t want him. Not really. She just wanted the position beside him. The attention. The security. Another pretty ornament for a girl who had never been told no.

And when i did refuse?

She jumped into a lake.

He exhaled sharply through his nose.

A performance. Nothing more. The duke had always indulged her excesses. Wrapped her weakness in silk and called it love.

Who would want to marry a woman like that?

all she have , that her father is always protecting her , nothing more than another heartless noble lady ,

He doesn't want to remember her face, her greedy self, her behavior, he thinks how much he hated her …

his thought interrupt by a person foot step

Footsteps approached from behind.

“Your Highness.”

He looks at him , A palace servant bowed low, voice careful and soft.

“May I report… the matter has been decided your highness ”

The prince frowned. “What matter?”

“The engagement,” the servant said. “Between your highness and Lady Elina Ardent. "

Prince is shocked asked

"what ...?"

The servant bow lower and explain

"His Majesty has approved it. The announcement will be prepared.”

The words didn’t land properly.

“…What?”

For the first time in years, the Crown Prince felt the ground shift beneath him.

he did not believe it first

Engaged?

To her?

His chest tightened, shock cutting through irritation. His mind raced, searching for logic, for warning signs, for anything he might have missed.

The servant kept his head bowed.

“Yes , It was finalized earlier today, Your Highness.”

The corridor suddenly felt narrower.

The duke’s quiet departure replayed in his mind.

Realization crept in, slow and unwelcome.

This wasn’t Elina’s doing.

This was her father.

And unlike Elina’s so-called performances, Duke Ardent never acted without intent.

The Crown Prince clenched his jaw.

…So that’s why he was here.

Somewhere deep inside, beneath pride and irritation, a thin thread of unease pulled tight.

This engagement was not a request.

It was a decision

The decision, prince don't like

But have no choice other than accept it

His father is the king and King decision is the order

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