FORBIDDEN MARRIAGE

*Chapter 7 : The Royal Wedding*

The day of the royal wedding finally arrived, and the kingdom was abuzz with excitement. The streets were filled with people, all eager to catch a glimpse of the royal couple as they exchanged their vows.

Aria watched from a distance, her heart heavy with sadness. She knew that she couldn't attend the wedding, not when her presence would only serve as a reminder of the forbidden love that Ryker and she shared.

Instead, she stood on the outskirts of the crowd, her eyes fixed on the palace windows. She knew that Ryker was inside, preparing to marry the woman he didn't love.

As the ceremony began, Aria felt a pang of sorrow. She knew that Ryker was doing this for duty, for the kingdom, and not for love. She wondered if he would ever be able to escape the obligations that bound him to the throne.

The sound of cheering and applause echoed through the streets as the wedding ceremony concluded. Aria knew that Ryker and Princess Sofia were now husband and wife, and that their union would likely bring peace and prosperity to the kingdom.

But at what cost? Aria wondered. At the cost of Ryker's happiness? At the cost of their love?

As the crowd began to disperse, Aria turned away, her eyes welling up with tears. She knew that she had to be strong, for Ryker's sake as well as her own. She couldn't let her feelings consume her, not now, not when Ryker needed her to be brave.

She took a deep breath and began to make her way back to the rebels' camp, her mind racing with thoughts of what the future held. Would Ryker ever be able to find a way to be with her? Or would duty and obligation forever stand in their way?

The uncertainty was almost too much to bear, but Aria knew that she had to hold on to hope. She had to believe that their love would find a way, no matter what obstacles lay ahead.