The Royal Decree
539 Words
The first rays of dawn painted the sky in shades of gold as Lyra slipped through the palace gates.
She pulled the hood of Prince Kane's cloak over her head, hoping no one would recognize her.
The servants were already busy preparing for the day, carrying baskets of flowers and polishing the marble floors.
Just as she reached the servant’s corridor, a familiar voice stopped her.
"Lady Lyra!"
She turned to find her personal maid, Mira, rushing toward her with a worried expression.
"Where have you been?" Mira whispered. "I've been looking for you all night! His Grace ordered everyone to find you."
Lyra forced a smile.
"I... needed some fresh air."
Before Mira could ask another question, the sound of a palace bell echoed through the halls.
Dong... Dong... Dong...
The royal summons.
Every member of the Everhart family was required to appear in the council chamber immediately.
Lyra's heart sank.
Something was wrong.
The council chamber was grand, its walls decorated with banners of the Rabbit Clan. Nobles lined both sides of the room, whispering among themselves.
At the center stood Duke Alaric Everhart, Lyra's father.
Beside him were his wife, Lady Selena, and their daughter, Beatrice.
The moment Lyra entered,
Beatrice's lips curled into a mocking smile.
"So the lost rabbit finally returns." Lyra ignored her and bowed respectfully.
"You sent for me, Father?"
Without answering, the Duke stepped aside.
A royal messenger dressed in the golden armor of the Lion Empire walked forward.
He unrolled a scroll sealed with the royal crest.
"By the decree of Her Majesty Queen Victoria Augustus," he announced, his voice echoing through the chamber, "an alliance shall be forged between the Lion Empire and the Rabbit Clan."
The room fell silent.
"To strengthen peace between the clans..."
He looked directly at Lyra.
"Lady Lyra Everhart has been chosen to become the bride of His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Kane Augustus."
The words struck Lyra like lightning.
"My... what?"
She stared in disbelief. "The Crown Prince?"
Everyone knew the stories.
Prince Kane was the empire's greatest warrior, feared by allies and enemies alike. Many believed he was cold hearted, ruthless, and incapable of love.
Beatrice's smile disappeared instantly.
"What?" she shouted. "Why her?"
Lady Selena quickly hid her own disappointment behind a forced smile.
"There must be some mistake."
The messenger's expression remained calm.
"The Queen's decree is absolute."
Beatrice clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms.
She had dreamed of becoming Crown Princess since childhood.
How could Lyra, her quiet, overlooked half sister be chosen instead?
Lyra slowly lowered her gaze.
A strange image flashed through her mind.
Golden eyes.
A black mask. The mysterious warrior in the cabin.
For some reason, her heart began to race.
Could it be… No.
It couldn't be. She had never even learned his name.
The messenger rolled up the decree.
"The royal wedding will take place in seven days."
As the nobles began congratulating Lyra, Beatrice watched from the shadows, her eyes burning with hatred.
"If Lyra marries the Crown Prince," she thought, "everything I've ever wanted will belong to her."
Her lips curled into a cold smile.
"Then she won't live long enough to become his bride.”
- Writer
