Chapter Three — The Journey to Ravaryn

I woke before sunrise.

For a few seconds, I forgot everything.

Then I saw the packed trunks beside my bed.

Today was the day I was leaving.

A maid entered quietly and helped me dress. I wore a simple blue gown, my hair pulled back neatly. I stared at myself in the mirror, trying to recognize the girl looking back at me.

I was still Princess Amara.

But somehow, everything felt different.

When I reached the palace entrance, my family was already waiting.

My father stood beside my mother.

My siblings stood behind them.

I searched their faces for sadness.

There was none.

My father stepped forward.

"Behave yourself in Ravaryn."

That was all he said.

No goodbye.

No hug.

Nothing.

I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"Yes, Father."

My mother looked at me for a moment before saying, "Remember who you are."

I almost laughed.

Did she even know who I was?

I nodded anyway.

Then I walked toward the carriage.

As I climbed inside, I looked back at the palace one last time.

I had spent my entire life wishing someone in that place would love me.

Perhaps leaving was the only way I would ever stop waiting.

The journey to Ravaryn took several hours.

I sat quietly while the carriage moved through the countryside.

At first, the scenery was familiar.

Then everything changed.

The roads became rougher, the forests thicker, and the mountains in the distance grew larger.

My maid, Liana, sat opposite me.

"Are you afraid?" she asked.

I looked out the window.

"Yes."

She smiled faintly.

"Everyone is afraid of Prince Cassian."

I turned toward her.

"Do you think the rumors are true?"

She lowered her voice.

"I don't know."

Before I could ask more, the carriage suddenly slowed.

I looked outside.

A group of soldiers was standing in the road.

Our guards exchanged a few words with them before allowing us to continue.

As we passed, I noticed the soldiers wearing the crest of Ravaryn.

A black raven surrounded by silver flames.

My heart began beating faster.

We were getting close.

By sunset, the enormous gates of Ravaryn finally appeared.

I had never seen a kingdom like it.

Dark stone walls surrounded the city, while tall towers rose into the evening sky.

The palace stood at the center, enormous and intimidating.

As we entered through the gates, people gathered along the streets.

They stared at our carriage.

Some whispered.

Others pointed.

I wondered if they were looking at me because I was the foreign princess.

Then I heard a woman's voice from the crowd.

"That's his bride."

Another voice answered.

"Poor girl."

My stomach tightened.

Then someone whispered something that made the blood in my veins run cold.

"She doesn't know what she's marrying."

The carriage continued toward the palace.

I looked ahead.

For the first time, I realized there was no turning back.

Tomorrow, I would meet my future husband.

Prince Cassian Ravelle.

The Devil's Son.

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