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”
She replied.
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.
Comments