Part 1: The Tradition of Love

Part 1: The Tradition of Love

In the Kingdom of Solara, there was a long-standing tradition that every citizen, regardless of their background, must marry someone of the same gender. It was a law that had been in place for centuries, founded on the belief that true love transcended gender and that equality should be at the core of every union. The kingdom had long rejected the idea that love should be confined to traditional norms, instead embracing the belief that the heart should choose freely, without restrictions.

The people of Solara were accustomed to this tradition, and they saw no reason to question it. To them, it was a part of who they were, just as much as the sun that rose each day and the stars that dotted the sky at night. Love was not bound by gender—it was bound by the soul.

For Ezra, a young man who had grown up in the bustling capital city of Veralis, this was simply how the world worked. He had known no other way of life, and like many before him, he had accepted that one day, when he came of age, he would be paired with someone who shared his soul’s calling. His heart was open, and though he had no idea who he would marry, he trusted that fate would lead him to the right person.

But there was one thing Ezra had not expected: his own feelings.

As the day of his pairing ceremony approached, a knot of anxiety formed in his chest. For most, this was a joyous occasion—a celebration of finding love and unity. But for Ezra, the prospect of marrying a stranger filled him with uncertainty. Though he believed in the tradition, a small part of him wondered if he would ever feel that deep connection with someone, someone who could make his heart race the way he had heard others speak of.

On the day of the ceremony, Ezra stood in a long line of young men, all of them nervously awaiting the moment when they would meet the person with whom they would share their life. He couldn’t help but glance around, wondering if anyone else felt the same tension he did, or if he was alone in his doubt.

Then, his gaze fell upon one man in particular.

Adrian stood a few steps ahead, his striking features calm and collected. His dark hair was neatly tied back, and his posture radiated an air of quiet confidence. His eyes, though distant, seemed to pierce through the crowd, as if searching for something—or perhaps someone. There was an intensity about him, a presence that made Ezra’s heart skip a beat.

As the ceremony began, Ezra's name was called, and his heart seemed to stop. He had not expected it, but as he approached the front of the hall, it was Adrian’s name that was spoken next. The two of them were paired.

When their eyes met, a sudden spark of recognition flickered between them. It was as though the world around them faded into a blur, and all that remained was the shared moment of their connection. Neither of them spoke at first, but the air between them was thick with unspoken words.

"Ezra," Adrian’s voice broke the silence, deep and steady. "I’ve been waiting for this moment."

Ezra couldn’t explain why, but the weight of those words resonated in his chest. It wasn’t just that Adrian’s presence was commanding—it was something deeper, something that stirred the very core of him.

And in that moment, Ezra understood.

Love was not simply about tradition. It was about finding the one who made your soul come alive, regardless of the rules. And with Adrian standing before him, Ezra felt like he had found that person.

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