CHAPTER 2

...~THE ONE WHO REFUSED THE CROWN ~...

...Word spread like wildfire....

Lady Elira Virellan did not attend the royal ball.

She refused the prince’s request.

She insulted the royal colors. Disrespected the throne.

By morning, the entire capital whispered her name with scandal, awe, and a hint of fear.

Elira, seated in her family’s drawing room, calmly sipped her tea.

Let them whisper.

In her past life, she had bent and bowed and bled for their approval. This time, she would stand still and watch them panic.

The door burst open without warning.

“Elira!”

Her father’s voice thundered through the room. Lord Virellan was a stern man loyal to the crown, ambitious, and proud. In the past, he had scolded her for not being ‘soft enough’ to please the prince.

But this time, Elira didn’t rise or look away.

“I hope you have a good explanation for humiliating the royal family,” he growled, face red. “Do you understand what you’ve done?!”

“Yes,” she said coolly. “I freed myself.”

His expression flickered. “You! what nonsense”

“You may yell,” she interrupted softly, placing her teacup down, “but I will not marry that man. Not now, not ever.”

“Elira!”

“I will not tie myself to someone who sees me as a tool.”

Her father stormed out moments later, too shocked to argue further. The servants avoided her gaze. Her mother sat frozen, hands trembling.

She had thrown a stone into still waters. And now, the ripples were moving toward the palace.

By evening, they came for her.

A royal carriage. The prince’s crest.

Elira stood in the garden, watching the sunset when the heavy footsteps approached.

She turned calmly. Her eyes met his the Crown Prince, in person.

Kaelion Thorne stood with the same cool, unreadable expression. Tall, composed, and quiet as ever. His presence had once set her heart racing. Now it only sparked a bitter chill.

“Lady Virellan,” he said.

“Your Highness,” she replied, curtly.

He studied her. “You did not attend.”

“I had no desire to.”

Silence stretched. She met his gaze, unflinching.

“Insolence,” he said quietly. “Do you truly wish to sever your ties with the Crown?”

“No,” she said. “I wish never to have been bound at all.”

For a moment, something flickered in his eyes. Confusion? Anger? Regret?

She didn’t care.

“You requested the engagement,” he said, voice low.

“I did,” she replied, “in a different life.”

Kaelion’s jaw tensed. “Explain.”