Chapter 15
859 Words
The Bond Between Us
Lyra's POV
I sat quietly in my seat, watching Lucien from across the hall.
Minute after minute, my chest tightened as the wedding ceremony continued.
He looked... handsome.
As always.
For a brief moment, my eyes met Valeria's.
She gave me the coldest smile I'd ever seen.
A chill ran down my spine.
I quickly looked away.
Why is she looking at me like that?
We've barely spoken.
The priest continued the ceremony, blessing the union before finally speaking the words I had been dreading.
"You may kiss your bride."
My heart clenched painfully.
I couldn't breathe.
I stared at Lucien.
I couldn't look away.
Slowly...
He looked at me.
Our eyes locked.
For that brief moment, it felt as though he could see everything I was trying so desperately to hide.
The pain.
The jealousy.
The tears threatening to fall.
His expression never changed...
But somehow...
I knew he understood.
Then he looked away.
He did what was expected of him.
The kiss was brief.
Almost emotionless.
But it still shattered my heart.
The hall erupted into applause.
Valeria smiled brightly and wrapped her arms around his neck.
I couldn't watch anymore.
I stood and quietly slipped out of the hall before anyone noticed.
---
I walked faster and faster through the palace corridors.
I want to go home...
I don't want to be here anymore.
Why does this hurt so much?
Eventually, I found myself in a quiet garden.
No guards.
No nobles.
No guests.
Just silence.
The moment I realized I was alone...
I broke.
Tears streamed down my face as I sank onto the soft grass.
I cried until my chest hurt.
Until my eyes burned.
Until there were no tears left.
After what felt like forever, I finally calmed down.
I wiped my face and took a shaky breath.
Only then did I notice the garden around me.
Blue roses.
Hundreds of them.
They swayed gently in the breeze, glowing beneath the afternoon sun.
"They're beautiful..." I whispered.
I reached out and brushed my fingertips over the delicate petals.
A small smile found its way onto my face.
I turned to leave.
And froze.
Lucien stood a few steps away, watching me.
My smile vanished.
Instinctively, I lowered my head, hoping he wouldn't notice my swollen eyes.
I tried to walk past him.
His hand gently caught my wrist.
"L-Lucien..."
"Please..."
"Let me go."
He didn't answer.
Instead, he stepped closer.
Slowly, he placed two fingers beneath my chin and gently lifted my face.
Our eyes met.
His crimson eyes were filled with something I'd never seen before.
Concern.
Real concern.
Embarrassed, I lowered his hand from my face.
He didn't stop me.
For a long moment...
Neither of us spoke.
Then he finally broke the silence.
"Why were you crying, Princess?"
"I wasn't."
I looked away.
"You were."
"I can tell when you're lying."
I pulled my hand away and took a small step back.
"What's it to you?"
Without saying a word, he reached for my hand.
My breath caught.
He placed it gently against his chest.
His heartbeat was steady.
Then he covered my hand with his own.
"I can feel it," he said quietly.
"Feel what?"
"Your emotions."
His voice was barely above a whisper.
"Your pain..."
"It hurts."
"I can feel every bit of it."
His crimson eyes searched mine.
"Why are you hurting, Princess?"
I couldn't answer.
Another tear slipped down my cheek.
"I want an answer."
"It's none of your business."
The words came out weaker than I intended.
I swallowed hard before speaking again.
"Didn't you just get married?"
"Why aren't you with your wife?"
For the first time...
Lucien looked away.
He closed his eyes briefly before letting out a quiet sigh.
Then he looked back at me.
"You are my mate."
"Whether either of us likes it or not."
"I didn't choose this bond."
"I didn't choose to feel your emotions."
His voice softened.
"And it's not my fault that..."
He hesitated.
"...I can't stop thinking about you."
My heart skipped.
"So tell me, Princess..."
"Why are you hurting?"
I stared at him.
At the concern in his eyes.
At the man standing before me.
The man I was trying so hard not to love.
I couldn't hold it in anymore.
Fresh tears spilled down my cheeks.
I covered my face, but it was useless.
The sobs escaped anyway.
Without thinking...
I stepped forward.
Right into his arms.
For a moment, Lucien seemed surprised.
Then his arms slowly wrapped around me.
He held me gently, as though I might break.
"It's okay, Princess," he whispered.
"You don't have to hide it anymore."
I cried against his chest for what felt like forever.
The warmth of his embrace only made it harder to let go.
Then reality came crashing back.
What am I doing?
He's a married man.
I quickly stepped away, wiping the tears from my face.
"I... I should go."
Lucien didn't stop me.
He simply watched me.
I couldn't bear to look into his eyes again.
So I turned...
And ran back toward the castle without looking back.
- Writer
