why can't you love me

Aria’s POV The council chamber always smelled of incense and secrets. I stood behind the half-closed door, hands trembling against the marble wall as I listened to the voices inside. They weren’t supposed to meet this early, and I certainly wasn’t supposed to be eavesdropping, but something in Mother’s eyes this morning had warned me… something was wrong. “We have no choice,” Lord Bennett said, his voice sharp. “Elaria needs protection. The northern borders are crumbling.” Another councilman sighed heavily. “The King of Elarion has offered his aid—on one condition.” My heart stopped. No. Please, no. Mother’s voice, soft but exhausted, followed. “He wants my daughter.” My vision blurred. I pressed a hand to my mouth to keep from gasping. Me? They were talking about me. Father spoke next, his tone empty. “A political marriage with King Kael will secure the alliance. Elaria cannot survive another winter without his army.” Marriage? To him? Everyone knew the stories of the Elarion king—cold as steel, ruthless in battle, a man whose enemies vanished without leaving a whisper behind. Some said he had no heart at all. I stumbled back, but the door suddenly swung open. Mother stood there. Her eyes widened when she saw me, but she didn’t scold me. She only sighed, a quiet, defeated sound that broke something inside me. “Aria… come in.” I stepped into the chamber. Every pair of eyes landed on me—some pitying, some relieved that their problem had a solution. Mother approached and took my hands gently. “My daughter,” she whispered, “Elaria needs you.” I shook my head violently. “To marry a king I’ve never met? A man they call a monster? Mother, please—” “It is already arranged,” Lord Bennett cut in. “The king’s messenger arrived at dawn. He is on his way here now.” My breath froze. “On his way?” I repeated. “Today?” The doors to the chamber suddenly burst open, crashing against the walls with a thunder that silenced the room. Cold air swept in. And then he walked in. Tall. Broad-shouldered. Wearing black armor that gleamed like ice. His face was unreadable—sharp jaw, hard eyes, expression carved from stone. A man built for war, not love. King Kael. His gaze met mine instantly, like he had known exactly where I stood before he entered. I felt my knees weaken under the weight of it. He stepped forward, boots echoing through the chamber. When he finally spoke, his voice was deep—cold enough to freeze blood, yet strangely calm. “Princess Aria,” he said, stopping in front of me. “From this moment… you belong to me.” My heart slammed against my ribs. Mother squeezed my hand once, then slowly released it. There was no escaping now. Not the marriage. Not the king. Not the fate already sealed around my throat. Kael extended his hand toward me, not in affection, but in claim. The council bowed. Mother lowered her gaze. Father said nothing at all. And I… I realized that the life I wanted was gone forever. But somewhere deep inside his cold, unreadable eyes… I thought I saw a flicker of something that shouldn’t have been there. Recognition. Darkness. Possession. Or maybe… fate. Whatever it was, it terrified me more than the marriage itself.