(Chapter 1)

In this world, turning eighteen marks the beginning of adulthood. Clarisse Faeloria felt anxious about that reality. Reaching that age meant she had to face social pressures, including arranged marriages and inevitable engagements. The thought of it all made her stomach churn. She couldn't imagine being trapped in such a situation, where her life was dictated by the expectations of others. To Clarisse, a future bound by such ties was terrifying and utterly undesirable.

Clarisse gently rejected the nobleman's son who had come to propose to her. She turned him down politely, hoping he would not return, as she wanted to focus on her studies at the Academy. However, her peace was shattered when her father returned home with a frustrated expression. Clarisse felt a sense of dread upon seeing his face, especially when she heard the bad news he brought: she was to marry Lorcan Frostborne, the Duke of the North.

"This is too sudden, Father. I don't want this arranged marriage to happen," Clarisse said, her voice trembling as she struggled to suppress the tightness growing in her chest.

"Think about it, Clarisse. If I accept this arrangement, we will receive a substantial dowry. He has also promised prosperity for our family," her father replied, his tone filled with careful consideration.

Clarisse fell silent, unable to speak. How could she refuse when this matter concerned her family and the great benefits they would gain? As she read further into Lorcan Frostborne's letter, her heart ached even more. The words written there were undeniable: her family would prosper.

Clarisse asked for time to think. She weighed her decision carefully. On one hand, this opportunity was too valuable to pass up. As the daughter of a noble family, it was only natural for a woman to marry a man of high status to elevate her family's position. Everyone would see it as a wise and strategic move. However, on the other hand, she couldn't lie to herself. Something inside her hesitated.

"Lorcan Frostborne is known to be ruthless," she murmured softly, barely audible. The words echoed in her ears like a warning she couldn't ignore.

Clarisse gazed at the fading horizon in the west, her heart heavy. She knew this decision wasn't just about her. It was about her family, her future, and perhaps even her heart, now placed at risk.

Standing by her bedroom window, she looked up at the rising moon in the night sky. The cold evening breeze brushed against her skin, offering a small comfort amid the turmoil in her mind. Sleep eluded her as thoughts of the impending decision swirled in her head. Lorcan Frostborne's image surfaced in her mind—a man with a cold and imposing face, feared across the land for his power and influence as the Duke of the North.

"What will happen if I accept this marriage?" she wondered. The thought of becoming the wife of a man she barely knew, a man with a fearsome reputation, sent a chill down her spine. But she also knew that rejecting the marriage wouldn't be easy. Her family would be put in a difficult position, possibly even disgraced in the eyes of society.

The next morning, Clarisse woke up with a storm of emotions still raging within her. At the Academy, her friends spoke cheerfully about their futures, engagements, and weddings. But for Clarisse, all of it felt like an unbearable weight. Every step she took toward class felt heavier, as if she were carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders.

TO BE CONTINUED

(Chapter 2)

Her father, Jonathan Faeloria, gave Clarisse a deadline to consider the decision until she graduated from the Academy. His hope was simple: this would be an opportunity for his daughter to prepare herself, both mentally and emotionally. Clarisse, already predicting how this would end, only wanted to buy more time. Yet, beneath her hesitation, there was a lingering curiosity. It turned out that her future husband, Lorcan Frostborne, the Duke of the North, was not as terrible as the rumors claimed.

That afternoon, the Duke arrived with an extraordinary presence. His appearance far exceeded anything Clarisse had seen in portraits before. His sharp features, elegant posture, and charismatic aura captivated everyone around him. However, his cold and indifferent gaze unsettled Clarisse, even though his allure was undeniable.

Clarisse began to feel anxious about the possibility of living with someone like him. Lorcan’s charm was not enough to erase the discomfort creeping into her thoughts. How could she live with a man who seemed so emotionally distant?

As Clarisse approached Lorcan, the tension in the air thickened. The Duke stood tall, his piercing eyes assessing her with quiet scrutiny.

"Good afternoon, Lady Faeloria," Lorcan greeted her in a deep, calming yet formal tone. "I hope this meeting will give us a chance to get to know each other better."

Clarisse gave a small nod, trying to steady herself. Her father’s words echoed in her mind: this meeting was an opportunity to assess her future husband. She paid close attention to every movement and word Lorcan spoke.

Lorcan started the conversation with polite yet formal questions. He expressed interest in Clarisse’s hobbies and daily life, though his inquiries felt somewhat superficial. His gaze was sharp, listening intently to every word, as if ensuring this conversation would be enough to form an opinion about her.

Clarisse responded simply, though her heart pounded in her chest. Every time she stole a glance at Lorcan, the thought of spending a life with a man who seemed emotionally unreachable filled her with more doubt. Their interaction felt distant and formal.

After a while, Lorcan requested permission to take a walk in the garden, inviting Clarisse to accompany him. Though it was a simple gesture, Clarisse hoped it would give her a glimpse of another side of the Duke. However, despite the slight shift in atmosphere, Lorcan’s demeanor remained emotionally guarded.

"What are you thinking about?" Lorcan asked suddenly, his gaze fixed on her.

Snapping out of her thoughts, Clarisse answered calmly, "I was just thinking about how sudden all of this feels. It’s like everything changed in an instant."

"Yes, it has," Lorcan replied, nodding with quiet understanding.

Clarisse looked at him with curiosity. "I honestly never expected you to be interested in me. Aren’t there many other women who are more suitable?"

Lorcan met her gaze with sharp confidence. "Because you are different from them."

"Different?" Clarisse repeated, uncertainty and surprise lacing her voice. "What makes me different?"

"Of all the people I've met, you have something unique," Lorcan said seriously. "You’re not just one of them. There’s something about you that makes me want to know you better."

Clarisse fell silent. Lorcan’s words echoed in her mind, stirring emotions she had never felt before. In the quiet moment between them, she sensed that something was beginning to shift, though she wasn’t sure what it was. Their walk through the garden ended with a mix of emotions that would be hard to forget.

TO BE CONTINUED

(Chapter 3)

Clarisse Faeloria thought of Lorcan Frostborne, the man who, despite the rumors, was not as terrible as people claimed. Beneath his cold demeanor, Lorcan was actually quite kind, though his way of showing it was far from ordinary. These thoughts only made Clarisse more confused, especially as she pondered the path she should take. Should she obey her father's wishes, or should she stand firm in her decision to reject this marriage?

"Why do I have to feel conflicted at a time like this?" she murmured softly.

Clarisse shook her head, trying to push away the doubts clouding her mind. She knew that marriage was a significant decision, one that happened only once in a lifetime. If she failed in her married life, she would feel like the most unfortunate woman in the world.

"Please, Clarisse. For the sake of our family. If you marry Lorcan, our family will be seen as one of the most influential noble families. You know very well that the Duke of the North holds immense power—his forces are feared by many kingdoms," said Jonathan Faeloria, her father, his tone filled with conviction.

Jonathan continued to emphasize the importance of this opportunity. If Clarisse could win the heart of the notoriously cold Duke, it would be a great blessing for their family.

"I can see that he is interested in you, my daughter. You are our greatest hope," he added.

Clarisse hesitated as she looked at her father. "But, Father… what about an heir? Is that all you care about?"

Jonathan gave a thin smile. "Of course. You will bear a child who can become our family's successor, won’t you?"

For a moment, Clarisse fell silent, realizing that behind all her father's hopes and dreams lay a grand ambition to elevate their family's status.

Eleanor Faeloria, her mother, only advised Clarisse to obey her father without much resistance. As a daughter who had always tried to be dutiful, Clarisse nodded, even though her heart was filled with uncertainty. That night, she prayed earnestly, asking for the best path to be shown to her. If Lorcan was truly her destiny, she would accept it with an open heart, hoping this burden would not be too heavy for her to bear.

Clarisse had done her best in life. She had become the top student at the Academy, even surpassing Kaelion Arvasyn, the Crown Prince of the Empire, and the popular student Caelira Duskthorn. Yet, despite all her achievements, Clarisse felt that a woman's fate was still tied to marriage and family.

"Will all my hard work end here?" she whispered, anxiety weighing down on her heart.

That afternoon, Kaelion approached Clarisse in the palace garden. His smile was as warm as ever, though he could see the traces of worry on her face.

"Clarisse, are you alright?" Kaelion asked gently.

Clarisse nodded slowly, though it was clear she was hiding a burden. "Thank you, Your Highness. I’m fine."

"Oh, come on, don’t be so formal. Haven’t we been friends since childhood?" Kaelion replied in a friendly tone.

Kaelion, the Crown Prince of the Empire, had been Clarisse’s childhood friend for as long as she could remember. Their closeness had lasted for years, to the point that Clarisse had no hesitation in scolding Kaelion whenever he caused trouble. Kaelion always took it as a sign of her concern, despite the difference in their statuses.

"Your Highness, forgive me if I was ever too harsh on you in the past," Clarisse said regretfully.

Kaelion chuckled. "There’s no need to apologize. That’s exactly why my life feels more meaningful. Our friendship is one of the things I cherish most."

But before their conversation could continue, a soft yet firm voice called Kaelion’s name. Caelira Duskthorn approached with graceful steps, making Clarisse feel uneasy. She quickly excused herself, and though Kaelion was reluctant, he could only nod in response.

"Your Highness, this is about the message from my father," Caelira said in a gentle but firm tone. "He is awaiting your response."

Kaelion fell silent for a moment, gazing into the distance. "Tell him I am still considering it," he replied briefly.

Their conversation ended in an awkward silence. Kaelion finally bid farewell and hurried away, leaving Caelira staring at his retreating figure, uncertainty flickering in her eyes.

TO BE CONTINUED