The grand hall doors swung open, unveiling a red carpet path strewn with white rose petals. I began my walk, the air thick with the soft, ethereal melody that seemed to shimmer around me like a veil. Each note was a delicate brushstroke, painting the story of two souls who found and loved each other—a story everyone in the room believed. But deep within my heart, a voice screamed, wailing for help, a desperate plea no one could hear, nor ever would. With that, one truth remains clear – I am beyond saving.

  Hervouet's smile, a victorious smirk that stretched across his face as I walked towards him, sent a shiver down my spine. The closer I got, the faster my heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic rhythm echoing the blood rushing through my veins. Each step was a reminder of the choices I'd made since waking from my slumber in the Rhinecrest, decisions that had led me to this precipice, to the very gates of hell I was now about to enter.

  Azriel saved me from death, but now, I'm leading myself to destruction. If I only knew this would be the future, I would’ve begged him not to save me in the first place.

  What a fool I have become. I believed Azriel saved me because he loved me. I wanted to wake him from his indefinite slumber to return the favor for saving me. For him to become the emperor, the beacon of hope for the future.

  I had a noble goal.

  And yet, the tables had turned. I'd discovered that my feelings for him, the love I thought I felt, were a carefully constructed illusion. He'd manipulated me, using his power to tame me, the very person who had once sought his demise.

  Tying the knot with Hervouet was no different than placing my head in a noose.

  Should I make a run for it? What if I run now, try to save myself? What if they catch me? What punishment awaits me then? And even if I manage to escape, where on earth could I go? Running away would be a temporary solution at best. My mind would never truly be at peace knowing someone was still hunting me.

  I need to face this head-on. There’s no point in dwelling on the past. It won’t change anything. I have to find a way out of this situation, but I have to accept that for now, I’ve lost.

  I’ll show the Ruivenfieres – both Azriel and Hervouet, that I can be out of their grasps soon. They will regret taking advantage of me one day.

  Hervouet reached for my hand as I reached the end of the path. He kissed the back of my hand, his eyes like those of a predator eyeing its captive. I forced a smile, closing my eyes to gather myself. We listened as the bishop’s words began the ceremony, the official start of my descent.

  My mind drifted as the bishop spoke, and I felt soft hands covering my ears, a silent gesture of escape, shielding me from the words. For a moment, I found a sliver of peace. But then, I heard him, his voice demanding my vow, my promise to my enemy. I lifted the paper, the wedding vow written by another, designed to convince everyone of the truth of our story.

  “Hervouet, from the moment I realized you pulled me back from the brink, I was speechless. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine someone like you would do such a thing. And even now, standing here before the empire, about to exchange vows and promises, I still find it hard to believe we’re here, together. Hervouet, I, Roxana Evaristo, vow to stand by your side, through every triumph and trial. Words cannot express the depth of my love and devotion. I’ll show you, with every sunrise and every shared moment, that you are cherished beyond measure. Life, as we know, is full of twists and turns, of joy and sorrow. But I know, with unwavering certainty, that together, we can face any storm. In every season, in every circumstance, I vow to be your lover, your confidante, your other half. I will love you, fiercely and eternally, for as long as the stars shine above us.”

  Our eyes met, and a flicker of satisfaction played across Hervouet's face. I couldn't decipher the thoughts behind his mischievous smile, but I knew it was pointless to worry. All I had to do was wait. Wait for this charade, this nightmare, to end.

  "Roxana," Hervouet began, his voice smooth and deceptively charming, "I know it may sound childish, but the moment I saved you, I knew you were someone special. A fleeting thought, perhaps, but fate had other plans. And here we are, despite our vastly different worlds. I, Hervouet Jerr Ruivenfiere, the empire's second prince, vow to take good care of you, to shelter you under my wing. I will protect you, cherish you, and love you for as long as I live. I will never let go of your hand, I will keep you by my side as we face the new chapter of our lives. No one will take you from me, and I will strive to win your heart, again and again. Together, we will reach for our goals and dreams, embracing the bright future that lies ahead. In this life, and if there is another, I will always choose you, Roxana Evaristo."

  Hervouet's words flowed effortlessly, as if spoken straight from the heart, no script needed. Had he memorized them? Or were they truly the unfiltered thoughts of his mind? Regardless, the words resonated with an unnerving intensity, the pronouncements of a man obsessed, determined to keep his prize forever.

  Why did a chill run down my spine? Was this truly what the hired writer had crafted? Or had something else, something darker, taken hold of Hervouet's words?

  Despite the doubts swirling in my mind, I knew worrying wouldn’t help. This alliance with Hervouet, this pact with an enemy, was my choice. I needed his power to defeat a greater threat. Having him by my side would undoubtedly make things easier, but the truth remained: he was still an enemy. Despite our agreements, he could still manipulate me, exploit me in some way. I couldn't let my guard down, even for a moment.

  Time ticked by, and the ceremony drew to a close. My mind was yanked back to reality as Hervouet whispered my true name, a soft murmur that broke through the haze of my thoughts. "Roxana," he said, a reminder of the name I was still struggling to embrace.

  "Let's drink," he offered, a slight smile playing on his lips. "We have three different wines to choose from. Choose your poison."

  I lifted one of the glasses, offered by one of Hervouet's servants. Despite my lingering doubts about the contents, I knew he wouldn't be reckless enough to kill me right after our wedding. At least, not so blatantly.

  The wine, a deep, brooding crimson, swirled in the glass like a miniature galaxy. Its surface shimmered, hinting at secrets held within. The aroma was a symphony of dark berries, spiced with cedarwood and damp moss. Each sip was a velvet caress, lingering with a bittersweet echo of forgotten loves.

  This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  "So, what do you think?" Hervouet asked, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. "Another glass, or have you had your fill? No pressure, of course."

  "It's a bit strong for a first taste, but not bad," I admitted. "Give me another glass."

  The servant refilled my glass, and before I knew it, I'd drained three glasses of the same wine. My vision blurred, and the room seemed to tilt just slightly.

  "I know I offered you a drink, but I didn't expect you to drink this much," Hervouet commented, though I couldn't quite make out his expression.

  "I have a high tolerance," I mumbled, my voice a bit unsteady. But honestly, I wasn't even sure what was real anymore.

  "You've had enough," Hervouet said, his tone laced with a hint of concern. "I'll take you to your room. The guests can't see you in this state." Maybe I was imagining it, but there was a touch of worry in his voice.

  But then again, Hervouet was still Hervouet. Perhaps it was just a slip of the tongue, a concern for appearances. Not that it mattered to me, whether his intentions were good or not.

  "Well then, bear with me for a bit," Hervouet said, his arms strong and reassuring as he guided me away. I leaned against him, letting his strength carry me away from the bright lights and the throbbing music. The world spun, and for a moment, I simply wanted to close my eyes and let him take over, to let everything wash over me.

  A wave of relief washed over me as he laid me down on the bed. For the first time that day, the pressure I'd been carrying eased slightly, the alcohol loosening its grip on my anxieties.

  "Just give me some water and I'll go to sleep," I mumbled, my voice thick. Hervouet called for a servant, ordering them to bring me water.

  "This is the second time I've seen you off-guard," Hervouet said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "You would have been in trouble if someone else found you in this state." He sat down on the bed, gently placing his hand on my forehead as if checking for a fever. I wanted to argue, to point out the absurdity of his concern, but exhaustion had overtaken me. The bed seemed to be pulling me into its embrace, beckoning my consciousness to slip away.

  "You're quite good at acting, but your eyes were giving you away during the ceremony," Hervouet observed, a hint of admiration in his voice. "Someone who isn't paying close attention wouldn't notice, but your eyes were betraying you. I'd say you still did well, though, I'll give you that."

  The servant knocked, and Hervouet allowed them in. I pushed myself up, taking the water offered by the servant. The cool liquid soothed my throat, washing away the lingering taste of the wine.

  "So, what are your plans after this?" I asked, my voice a bit slurred. "We should know where this game of marriage is going." Hervouet threw me a sharp look, a flicker of something dark passing through his eyes.

  "You're stressing yourself out too much," Hervouet said, his tone softening slightly. "Let the wedding day be a wedding day. This isn't the best time to discuss plans. My only priority today is the wedding, and I intend to keep it that way." He stood up, his gaze fixed on me.

  Hervouet's words echoed a similar sentiment expressed by Azriel during his wedding. I'd urged him to make alliances with the nobles present, but he'd insisted on focusing on the wedding itself, wanting to deal with those matters later. It seemed the Ruivenfiere princes had a similar philosophy when it came to important events.

  But now that I thought about it, Azriel... the thought of him sent a pang of longing through me.

  "I don't know what you're thinking right now, since you seem a bit lost in your thoughts, but I want you to know that I meant every word of my vows," Hervouet said, his voice serious. "They came from my heart, not from anyone else's script." I lifted my head, meeting his gaze, and his earnest expression confirmed that he was speaking from the heart.

  "Don't make me laugh," I said, a hint of bitterness in my voice. "It felt like those words came from someone obsessed, madly in love. You? 'Winning my heart over and over again?' I can't imagine those words coming from you. There's no way you could love someone like me, someone who betrayed you. And besides, I could betray you again at any moment." My eyelids felt heavy, a reminder of the reality I'd drowned in alcohol. The best thing I could do now was to sleep.

  "You talk too much," Hervouet murmured, leaning in close. A strange mix of confusion and fear washed over me. His lips were soft, the kiss warm and unexpected. Time seemed to stop, the world fading into a blur as I felt my heart pound in my chest. He pulled away, turning his back to me, and regained his composure, still sitting on the bed.

  "Maybe I got myself intoxicated without realizing it," Hervouet sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "Let's talk about whatever you wish to discuss tomorrow. We both need a break after this long day." He stood up and left my room, leaving me with a sense of relief.

  My eyelids felt heavy, and as I snuggled into the pillow, a strange, peaceful emptiness filled me. It was a quiet longing for something I couldn't quite put a name to. A sigh escaped my lips, and I allowed myself to drift, surrendering to sleep's embrace as the world faded into a whisper of dreams.

  ──?~???~?──

  A sliver of sunlight pierced through the gap in my curtains, painting a warm stripe across my cheek. My eyelids fluttered open, and the world slowly came into focus.

  "Good morning, dear wife," Hervouet greeted, sitting on a chair next to the bed.

  "Have you been waiting for me to wake up?" I rubbed my eyes and yawned, covering my mouth with my hand.

  I wanted to call him out on using that term, to tell him to stop acting like a real husband, but I doubted there was any point in arguing first thing in the morning.

  “Quite. You look like an angel when you’re asleep.”

  “But you haven’t seen an angel in real life.” I retorted.

  "You simply won't let anything slide, will you? Fine, I'll stop playing around. I can see right in your eyes that you want me to stop acting like a husband. I am though, legally speaking," he reminded me, pulling an envelope from his pocket. "Here, I think this letter might bring you to the mood. I'm not sure what it's about, but the Grand Duke requested me to give this to you since you left the banquet early."

  I took the envelope and pulled out the letter, revealing Raleigh's short but pointed message.

  "I hate to break it to you, but Prince Azriel is no longer breathing. I couldn't say he's dead because there are no signs of decay in his body, but I thought you should know. Let me know your next move so I can help you. Never let your guard down. Your enemy will always be your enemy."

  Azriel... no longer breathing, but it wasn't certain if he was dead. I looked at Hervouet, who was watching my reaction. I had to hide it. He shouldn't know that I was bothered by the news. He kept a warm expression, his eyes full of curiosity, making it difficult to gauge his true feelings.

  "You're bothered," he commented, his voice soft. "I know you'll say it's none of my business, but if you need my help, I'll be by your side. Last night, in case you don't remember, I mentioned that I meant everything I said in my vows. I hope you'll trust me this once."

  What was his vow again? I couldn't recall anything – probably because I knew everything about this marriage was a lie. It wasn't any different from my relationship with Azriel.

  He was a man full of lies. He said he loved me, but he'd only taken advantage of me, taming me, believing that winning me over would save his life. One question remained unanswered – if he truly didn't love me, why had he saved me?

  No. That wasn't an excuse for me to think twice. I was sure that one lie would lead to another. I had to break free from his web of lies.

  I let out a sigh and fixed my eyes on Hervouet. I curled my fists as I held the blanket, a frown forming on my face. If I were going to trust this man, would I be entrapped in another web of lies? I could no longer identify what was true and what wasn't. But it might be worth the risk.

  "Hervouet, help me kill your brother."