Chapter 1: The King’s New Bride
The air in the royal court was sharp with silence.
Marble pillars towered high above, laced with crimson banners bearing the crest of the Ravenhart dynasty — a crown pierced by a black rose.
Nobles stood in rows, their expressions tight, knowing full well what it meant to be summoned so suddenly to the throne room.
And at the heart of it all sat King Kaelith Ravenhart, the monarch who built his throne with blood and fear.
Eyes as cold as obsidian. A jaw clenched with quiet fury. His fingers tapped slowly on the armrest of the throne — an unspoken warning.
Before him, on his knees, Duke Astoria—trembling
King Kaelith Ravenhart
(calm but deadly):
💬 “You dare withhold taxes. Refuse soldiers. Send whispers to my enemies.”
Duke Astoria
(stammering):
💬 “Y-Your Majesty… I have wronged you. Please accept this token of loyalty…”
He raised his hand, signaling behind him.
And then, she appeared.
Evelyne Astoria, dressed in soft blue silk, stepped forward. Her steps were quiet, her head bowed, yet her back remained straight.
The court turned to her. Some in pity. Some in envy.
She did not look up. She did not speak. She simply stood before the king—a flower in a lion’s den.
Evelyne Astoria
🖤 (“This was Father’s solution. Offer me like coin. A daughter for a pardon.”)
🖤 (“I knew my place in this court… and it was not beside the throne.”)
Kaelith stared. Long and unreadable.
Then, he slowly stood, black robes flowing like storm clouds.
The nobles stiffened. The Duke flinched.
Kaelith descended the stairs. Step. By step. By step.
He came
King Kaelith Ravenhart
💬 “Is this what loyalty looks like, Duke Astoria? A lamb in lace?”
Duke Astoria
💬 “She is untouched. Educated. Meek. The perfect consort, Your Majesty.”
A flicker passed through Kaelith’s eyes—something dark, something amused.
He tilted Evelyne’s chin up with a gloved finger.
King Kaelith Ravenhart
(softly, only to her):
💬 “And what say you, little dove? Do you come willingly?”
Evelyne Astoria
🖤 (His touch burned. Cold through the glove, yet burning underneath. I did not move.)
🖤 (Say no, Evelyne. Say something. But my lips would not open.)
Evelyne Astoria
💬 “My will is no longer mine.”
A pause.
Then he smiled. A cruel, dangerous smile.
King Kaelith Ravenhart
💬 “Then let it be known—this girl is no longer the Duke’s daughter.”
King Kaelith Ravenhart
💬 “She is mine.”
He took Evelyne’s hand and raised it to his lips.
The kiss was ceremonial… and yet anything but.
It lingered. Claimed.
Evelyne’s eyes widened slightly, but she didn’t pull away.
Evelyne Astoria
🖤 (“A monster… that’s what they call him. But why do his eyes look so tired?”)
🖤 (“What lies beneath that cruelty?”)
King Kaelith Ravenhart
💬 “We marry in three days. Any objections… will be silenced.”
The court bowed in unison—forced and afraid.
Later, in the palace garden...
Evelyne sat alone on a marble bench, hands trembling just slightly.
Lady Elira, daughter of a powerful noble, approached with a mocking smile.
Lady Elira Vayne
💬 “So… you’ll be queen now. What’s it like being fed to a lion?”
Evelyne Astoria
💬 “Lions don’t kill what they find interesting.”
Elira’s brow lifted, amused.
Lady Elira Vayne
💬 “He won’t devour you on day one. Maybe day three. That’s when the wedding night happens.”
Evelyne flinched, but only inwardly.
Evelyne Astoria
🖤 (“I’m not afraid of him touching me. I’m afraid of what I might feel when he does.”)
That night, in Kaelith’s private chamber…
King Kaelith Ravenhart
💬 “She didn’t beg. Didn’t cry.”
King Kaelith Ravenhart
💬 “That makes her dangerous.”
He poured a glass of wine, staring into the firelight.
King Kaelith Ravenhart
🖤 (“Why did her voice echo in my chest like a bell I thought broken?”)
King Kaelith Ravenhart
💬 “Pretty little dove… What secrets do you hide?
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