Love In Vain -
The Cotein Princess Aria Arezuele
In 1889, Vincent of the Brown family of king ascended the throne of Herni.
At the age of 19, war greeted the new king.
A crown felt heavy, but so did the weight of his first battle.
In the midst of the war's darkness, he found light in meeting her.
The Cotein princess Aria Arezuele, her beauty was undeniable.
Her eyes, like emeralds catching the midday sun, sparkled with intelligence that rivaled the keenest minds in the kingdom.
Yet, beneath her delicate features, a quiet strength resided, evident in the unwavering resolve that shaped her every word and action.
Rumors whispered of her strategic brilliance, a mind as sharp as any sword.
But there was one problem
he was the one behind her father's demise.
Vincent offered Aria her life in exchange for becoming his captive within the palace walls.
Aria's response stunned Vincent.
She proposed a marriage pact
Vincent stared at Aria, his heart thudding against his ribs.
A marriage pact? The idea was as audacious as it was confounding.
Vincent Brown
"A marriage pact?"
He finally echoed, his voice rough.
Aria Arezuele
"Indeed, Your Majesty"
Aria replied, her voice calm and collected.
Aria Arezuele
"One that would see an end to the war and forge a powerful alliance between Herni and Cotein."
Vincent narrowed his eyes.
Vincent Brown
"An alliance built on deception? You cannot trust the man who dethroned your father."
Aria conceded, a flicker of sadness crossing her features.
Aria Arezuele
"But I believe there is more to you than whispers and bloodshed, Your Majesty. I propose a chance for peace... and for you to prove yourself worthy of that trust."
A Bird In Golden Cage
His intense attraction to Aria, coupled with his guilt over her father’s death, created a complex inner conflict.
He was both captivated by her and conscience-stricken.
Vincent Brown
“Peace is a tempting notion, Aria”
Vincent finally admitted, his voice thick with emotion.
Vincent Brown
“But at what cost?"
Vincent Brown
"Can love truly grow from such a bitter past?"
Aria met his gaze, her eyes filled with a quiet strength.
Aria Arezuele
“Love may not be our initial bond, Your Majesty”
Aria Arezuele
“But perhaps respect, and a chance to heal the wounds of the past, can pave the way for something more.”
Intrigued and suspicious, Vincent began to investigate Aria's true intentions.
Aria had always been portrayed as a kind and beloved princess, her family seemingly close-knit.
The public image was one of harmony and affection.
Why does Aria want to marry him if she loves her family?
A lone candle illuminates Vincent's study. He sits at his desk, a sheaf of reports spread before him.
A trusted soldier, Marcus, stands by the window.
Marcus
"Sir, the princess is a far cry from the image they've cultivated. She's a prisoner in her own gilded cage."
Vincent Brown
"A prisoner?"
He echoed, disbelief coloring his voice.
Their reports revealed a stark contrast to Aria's public image.
The soldiers' reports painted a starkly different picture. Behind the palace walls, a lonely and isolated figure emerged, a pawn in a complex political game.
Marcus
"Aye, sir. The queen favors her younger son, and Aria is often overlooked, even scorned. They use her as a bargaining chip, a tool to secure alliances."
Instead of a beloved princess, they found a young woman often bullied and isolated within the palace walls, treated more as a political pawn than a daughter.
Vincent ran a hand through his hair.
Vincent Brown
"And her proposal?"
Marcus
"Desperate, I believe. A gamble for freedom, perhaps. A chance to prove her worth."
A long silence fell between them.
A flicker of sympathy ignited within him, replaced by a grudging respect.
A Palace In Boom
Vincent Brown
"She just wants to survive, that's all. Maybe this isn't as bad as I thought."
Vincent's voice echoed softly in the chamber.
He found her perched on the window seat, her silhouette outlined against the twilight sky.
Aria's head turned slowly, her gaze lifting from the darkening sky to meet Vincent's.
Her eyebrows drew together in a subtle question mark as she tilted her head to the side, a silent query etched into her expression.
Vincent Brown
"Let's get married in a month."
A flicker of something crossed Aria's face, a fleeting shadow of surprise perhaps, before it was gone, replaced by a mask of composure.
Vincent, oblivious to this brief moment, watched her, his heart pounding in his chest.
A profound certainty washed over Vincent.
He loved Aria. The realization was as clear and undeniable as the sunlight piercing through a morning mist.
With this newfound conviction, a resolute promise formed within him: to cherish her, to protect her, to make her the happiest woman in the world.
Aria Arezuele
"Hmm... very well,"
She replied, her voice a mere whisper, tinged with uncertainty.
The engagement announcement sent ripples of excitement through Herni's palace.
From the grandest halls to the humblest chambers, anticipation crackled in the air.
Servants, artisans, and courtiers alike were caught up in the whirlwind of preparations, their days filled with the heady rush of creating a spectacle worthy of royalty.
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