The Nymiren's bride

CHAPTER 2

Elara's brief moment of joy at seeing Evans evaporated. It was as if an invisible burden had been placed squarely on her shoulders drawing her down. Her eyes drifted to the marble fountain in the garden's center.

The fountain was made of shiny white marble, with three smaller levels as it went up. Little angels, flowers, and leaves were carved into it. At the very top, a merman-like figure blew water high into the air, which then gently fell into the levels below. The water sparkled, reflecting the green plants and blue sky.

The sound of the gentle splashing of the fountain filled the garden. Birds chirped in the trees, and a soft breeze rustled the leaves. The air smelled strongly of sweet roses, wet stone, and fresh water, with a hint of freshly cut grass. The garden has always been her sanctuary but not today. The scene from yesterday was replayed in her head. She had thought that seeing Evans would dull the ache in her chest. She did not want to think about her marriage to a man she didn't know, and more importantly, she did not want to tell Evans about it yet, but she knew sooner or later he would find out. Evans quietly sipped his tea but his gaze never left Elara. He patiently waited for her to say something but already had a feeling about what she wanted to say.

" It's my wedding." She mumbled, the words felt heavy on her tongue. Evans smiled, faltered, and straightened up, his brows furrowing. " Your wedding? To whom? And why wasn't I aware of this until now?" He asked.

She knew he would react like this. Evans has always been protective of her so his reaction was expected. She didn't want to make eye contact with him so instead she looked down and fiddled with her dress. " I just found out yesterday.... Father accepted a marriage proposal from the Prince of Northmire." Evans's muscles stiffened, his fingers tightening around the teacup until his knuckles turned white. He loosened his grip, his hand easing back as he placed it on the table.

" Did you agree to it?" He looked at her intensely. He already knew the answer but he wanted to hear it from her.

" I didn't have a say in it. Father already agreed" she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Evan stood, the chair scraping back over the stone. He paced, his hand clenched at his side. He returned home to spend time with his beloved sister and now she's being forced into marriage.

" Do you know what people call him?" He asked, his voice losing the warmth it once had.

" I know"

" And you still agree to it? Have you gone mad Elara"

" What was I supposed to do brother? Father already agreed and the wedding is in two weeks."

" What did Mother say about it"

" She was helpless, brother, if I disagree with the wedding, Northmire will attack, and countless lives will be lost," Elara said.

"What about you? What will happen to you"

Elara's heart ached, a tight knot of dread. She didn't want to think about it. All she wanted was to live her life as if this nightmare wasn't happening. But she knew her brother, Evans. He wouldn't let it go; he'd fight for her, but she didn't want him to, he'd get in trouble if he did, and she didn't want that.

"It doesn't matter," Elara whispered, the words barely a breath.

"What do you mean, it doesn't matter, Elara?" Evans's voice rose, sharp with disbelief and a touch of desperation. "You're getting married in two weeks to a man no one knows how he'll treat you, and you're telling me it doesn't matter? What's wrong with you?"

She couldn't hold it anymore, tears welled in her eyes, hot and stinging. Her voice trembled as she spoke,

"I... I don't have a choice, brother. If I don't do this, countless lives will be lost, and I can't bear that thought."

The weight of those lives pressed down on her, a crushing burden.

Evans moved closer, his hand settling gently on her back, a warm, solid comfort. At his touch, the dam broke. Elara's tears flowed freely, silent sobs shaking her small frame, and her dark hair covered her face as she cried.

"It's alright," he murmured, his voice steady. "This wedding won't happen. Trust me."

Evans has decided to do something about the wedding, he wasn't going to sit and watch his sister walk to her doom.

Elara looked up, her eyes wide and knowing.

"What do you mean by that, brother?"

Evans didn't answer directly. Instead, a fierce determination hardened his features, a silent promise etched onto his face.

"Don't worry about it." He said. Evans had two things in mind, one way to convince his father to call off the wedding, and the other was to find a way to make Northmire cancel the wedding.

"Don't do anything irrational!" Elara called out, her voice a desperate plea, but he had already gone