Oh Lord, Save Me
PROLOGUE
The palace was filled with happiness and joy. It must be because their crown prince was getting engaged to the princess of the majestic kingdom of Maristhea
A vast, ancient empire built upon the sea’s blessings, Maristhea is a land of grand coastal cities, white marble palaces, and deep mystical waters. Legends say its royal bloodline is chosen by the sea gods, granting them wisdom, longevity, or even control over the tides. The kingdom’s capital, Thalmyris, could be a floating city or a magnificent island fortress, bathed in golden light at sunset.
.....
𝙍𝙊𝙔𝘼𝙇 𝙃𝙀𝙍𝘼𝙇𝘿:
"𝘼𝙇𝙇 𝙍𝙄𝙎𝙀 𝘼𝙉𝘿 𝘽𝙊𝙒 𝘽𝙀𝙁𝙊𝙍𝙀 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙎𝙊𝙑𝙀𝙍𝙀𝙄𝙂𝙉 𝙍𝙐𝙇𝙀𝙍 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀𝙎𝙀 𝙇𝘼𝙉𝘿𝙎! 𝙋𝙍𝙀𝙎𝙀𝙉𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙃𝙄𝙎 𝙄𝙈𝙋𝙀𝙍𝙄𝘼𝙇 𝙈𝘼𝙅𝙀𝙎𝙏𝙔, 𝙑𝘼𝙇𝙀𝙍𝙄𝘼𝙉 𝘾𝘼𝙎𝙎𝙄𝙐𝙎 𝘼𝙐𝙍𝙀𝙇𝙄𝙐𝙎, 𝙎𝙐𝙋𝙍𝙀𝙈𝙀 𝙍𝙐𝙇𝙀𝙍 𝙊𝙁 𝙈𝘼𝙍𝙄𝙎𝙏𝙃𝙀𝘼, 𝙈𝘼𝙎𝙏𝙀𝙍 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙏𝙄𝘿𝙀𝙎, 𝙆𝙀𝙀𝙋𝙀𝙍 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙀𝙏𝙀𝙍𝙉𝘼𝙇 𝙏𝙃𝙍𝙊𝙉𝙀, 𝙀𝙈𝙋𝙀𝙍𝙊𝙍 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙑𝘼𝙎𝙏 𝙎𝙀𝘼𝙎, 𝘼𝙉𝘿 𝙋𝙍𝙊𝙏𝙀𝘾𝙏𝙊𝙍 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙇𝙈𝙎!"
There he enters the cause of my misery his majesty VALERIAN AURELIUS
I'm marrying his dearest sister RENEA AURELIUS, it's an arranged marriage between our kingdom and his empire.
But why does this thought haunt me everyday. Am I doing something wrong?
Anyway, all I need to care about is my plan of settling down
3) Rule over the kingdom righteously
5) retire and pass down the kingdom to my children
Simple right? What could go wrong with this plan
Crown•Dance•Gaze
The ballroom shimmered with golden candlelight, the air thick with the scent of wine and roses. Laughter and music wove through the grand hall, a celebration of unity, of duty fulfilled.
Yet as Crown Prince Cedric took Princess Renea’s hand for their first dance, his fingers felt cold. The weight of a hundred watching eyes pressed down on him—but none so heavy as the gaze of Emperor Valerian, seated high upon his throne, watching in silence.
Cedric offers his hand and bends, his voice steady not covering up his initial nervousness
CEDRIC
Princess Renea, may I have the honor of this dance?
*formal smile*
Princess Renea smiles elegantly and places her hand in his.
RENEA
Of course, Your Highness, it would be my honor
As Cedric led Renea to the dance floor, the music swelled around them. Her hand was light in his, her posture poised. He moved as duty required, yet with every step, he felt a gaze fixed upon him.
From his throne, Emperor Valerian watched in silence. Perhaps he was merely being protective of his sister—Cedric could think of no other reason for the Emperor’s unwavering stare.
The ball continued, but Cedric needed air. Excusing himself from the endless congratulations and formalities, he slipped out into the palace gardens. The cool night breeze brushed against his skin, the scent of blooming jasmine filling the air.
CEDRIC
*exhaling, running a hand through his hair*
CEDRIC
Finally… some peace.
The distant music still carried from the ballroom, but here, beneath the moonlit arches and marble fountains, it felt like another world
Cedric turned, expecting a guard, perhaps even Renea. But it was Valerian, the emperor.
The Young Emperor stood at the edge of the garden, his dark robes catching the silver glow of the moon. His presence was commanding, even in silence.
VALERIAN
*Calm and unreadable*
You left the celebration early, Crown Prince.
CEDRIC
I needed some air, Your Majesty. I hope that isn’t improper.
VALERIAN
*stepped closer, his gaze sharp.*
VALERIAN
Not at all. I imagine it must be exhausting, having Renea by your side all evening.
Cedric blinked at the odd phrasing but nodded.
CEDRIC
We are to be married. It’s expected of me.
Valerian’s lips pressed into a thin line.
A pause stretched between them, the sound of distant laughter floating in from the ballroom. Then—
VALERIAN
*quietly*
She seems to enjoy your company.
CEDRIC
I should hope so. I will be her husband.
Something in Valerian’s gaze darkened, his expression unreadable. His hands, normally composed, flexed at his sides
VALERIAN
How fortunate for her.
Cedric frowned. Was Valerian displeased? It made sense—he was protective of Renea. Perhaps he worried Cedric wasn’t good enough for her.
CEDRIC
*firmly*
You don’t need to worry, Your Majesty. I will treat her well.
Valerian’s jaw tensed slightly, but his voice remained calm.
CEDRIC
*Blinked.*
Of course.
Valerian let out a soft hum—a sound that almost seemed amused. Or something else entirely.
Then, the Emperor took a step forward, and suddenly, the garden felt much smaller.
VALERIAN
*Soft, deliberate*
Indeed. A crown is a heavy burden."
Cedric swallowed, feeling his pulse quicken.
Why did Valerian always stand so close?
CEDRIC
*Laughing awkwardly, stepping back slightly*
CEDRIC
Well, at least I have your blessing, Your Majesty. I know how protective you are of your sister.
Silence.
Then—a quiet chuckle.
Valerian tilted his head, eyes gleaming under the moonlight.
VALERIAN
*Amused in a voice low*
VALERIAN
Is that what you think?
CEDRIC
*Frowned.*
Of course. What else would it be?
Valerian didn’t answer right away. Instead, he reached out—just briefly, the barest brush of fingers against Cedric’s sleeve.
VALERIAN
*Turned.* Good night, Cedric!
Cedric stood there, heart pounding, watching the Emperor disappear into the shadows.
And for the first time, doubt crept into his mind.
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