Stolen Vows, Shattered Hearts

♤♡Zara♤♡ This was the last birthday surprise I expected from my father. And that was why I just stared at him, hoping he would smile and say, “Just kidding.” But he didn’t. His face remained unreadable, his eyes locked on mine. I searched his face for any sign of hesitation. Anything at all. But my father's expression was blank. “Father?” I asked, stepping forward, my voice barely above a whisper. He had always insisted I address him formally, unlike other children who called their fathers Dad. I had never questioned it. Perhaps I should have. But what difference would it have made? He inclined his head slightly, so subtly I would have missed it if I weren’t watching him so intently. “Tomorrow, Zara. You’ll leave for New York after your marriage to Lucien.” he said, his voice cold. The words crashed over me like a wave, leaving me breathless. My stomach twisted, my heart slowed, and the sound of my blood filled my ears. This had to be a dream. A cruel, twisted dream. “T...The Beast?” My voice was quiet, but inside, everything screamed. My father gave a curt nod, his posture was not shaken, his attire only added to his authority. “Father, I can’t marry Lucien... It’s a death sentence.” My voice broke on the last word, but he looked unmoved. The man I had known my entire life was a stranger now, cold and distant. Who would give their daughter out to a man whom everyone was scared of? Who was dangerous and scary? But seems like a man like my father would. “Tomorrow, Zara. Get ready.” Four words. He had spoken only four words, and my world came crashing down. Four words that extinguished the dreams I had cherished and shattered the future I had once envisioned. I forced myself to breathe. One, two, three... I counted, but calmness eluded me. It wasn't working this time and I was drowning. My father was not going to save me. “Mirelle has prepared your things. Lucien will arrive this evening,” he continued, his voice curt, as though he hadn't just destroyed my life. Desperate, I began to plead, even though I had never known my father to be swayed by begging. “Father, please…” My voice trembled, my eyes burned and my cheeks felt wet. It was tears. My father had never been moved by my tears and I was so sure, it wouldn't start now either. "My decision is final, Zara. You will marry the Beast." And just like that, I knew my fate was sealed. He dismissed me without a second glance. Numb, I turned and walked out of the throne room. I didn't have the strength to plead again, it was going to be futile anyway. The servants watched me with quiet sympathy. The guards observed me like a hunted creature. I wondered what it would take to escape my fate. Would I dare to take my own life? Or perhaps... flee? Anything to avoid this sentence. Sunshine and roses, laughter and the cries of little children—those would never be mine. No, I would never know them. My fate was sealed. I had been given to Lucien—the devil himself. “Oh, Zara,” Mirelle whispered when I entered my chambers. Her arms opened, a silent invitation, and I stepped into them, numb. The older woman patted my head, kissed my forehead, and held me close, but it wasn’t enough. The pain sat like a stone in my chest, heavy and hard. “Tell me what happened,” Mirelle said, guiding me toward the bed. She helped me sit, her hands warm. I met her gaze, my lips trembling. “I’m getting married to Lucien.” My voice broke on the last word. Tears spilled over, no longer held back by the lessons drilled into me. Princesses don’t cry. “My dear girl,” Mirelle whispered, pressing my head against her chest, fingers stroking my soft, ash-blonde hair. “I’m so sorry this is happening to you.” I shook my head. “Father hates me,” I whispered, my voice raw. I burrowed further into the warmth of the woman who had treated me more like a daughter than he ever had. “He doesn’t hate you, dear Zara,” Mirelle murmured, her voice as soothing as it had been when I was a child. But I couldn’t believe her. Deep down, I knew Eldric Rosehart hated me—for something I didn’t even understand. Something he had never told me. “Is this a dream?” I asked softly after a long silence. Mirelle’s hand continued its gentle motions, fingers threading through my hair, but she didn’t answer. The quiet rumble in her chest told me everything I needed to know. This wasn’t a dream. Tomorrow, I would be married to Lucien. Whisked away to New York. And buried there, my name and my existence fading into nothing.