Chapter One – Part 4: The Bride Chosen by Fate
975 Words
"I... do."
The words left Seraphina's lips so softly that, for a heartbeat, she wondered if anyone had heard them at all.
Then the cathedral erupted into applause.
The orchestra resumed its triumphant melody as hundreds of nobles rose from their seats. Crystal chandeliers shimmered overhead, scattering golden light across the marble floor while flower petals rained gently from the upper balconies.
To everyone inside the cathedral, it was the beginning of a beautiful union.
Only the bride and groom knew otherwise.
The Archbishop smiled warmly before lifting the ancient royal seal.
"By the blessing of the Holy Crown and the authority granted to me by His Majesty, King Lucien Alaric of Asteria, I now declare you husband and wife."
A servant stepped forward carrying two simple wedding bands crafted from white gold.
Kael took the first ring.
For the first time since the ceremony began, his gloved fingers brushed against Seraphina's hand.
She instinctively held her breath.
His touch was unexpectedly warm.
Not rough.
Not cruel.
Simply warm.
Without saying a word, he gently slid the ring onto her finger.
It fit perfectly.
Almost as though it had been made for her long before today.
Seraphina stared at the silver band circling her finger.
Such a small object.
Yet it carried the weight of an entire kingdom.
When it was her turn, she accepted the second ring from the Archbishop.
Her hands trembled ever so slightly.
She looked up at Kael.
He remained motionless, his silver eyes unreadable beneath the soft glow of the cathedral candles.
Taking a slow breath, she reached for his hand.
The moment their skin touched, she noticed something unexpected.
His palm was covered with countless calluses.
Old scars crossed the back of his hand, disappearing beneath the sleeve of his ceremonial coat.
These weren't the hands of a pampered duke.
They were the hands of a warrior.
Hands that had spent years gripping a sword instead of attending lavish banquets.
Hands that had protected a kingdom at the cost of their own peace.
She carefully slid the ring onto his finger.
For a fraction of a second...
Kael looked directly into her eyes.
No one else seemed to notice.
But Seraphina did.
Something flickered behind the icy walls surrounding his heart.
Not affection.
Not tenderness.
Recognition.
As though he had finally acknowledged her presence.
Then it vanished.
His expression returned to its usual calm indifference.
"The groom may now escort his wife," the Archbishop announced.
Kael extended his arm without speaking.
Seraphina hesitated for the briefest moment before gently placing her hand around it.
The cathedral doors swung open.
A brilliant wave of sunlight poured inside.
Outside, thousands of citizens filled the palace square.
The moment the newlyweds appeared, cheers erupted from every direction.
"Long live the Duke!"
"Long live the Duchess!"
"May the heavens bless House Montecielo!"
Flower petals drifted through the air like snow.
Children waved tiny royal flags while musicians filled the square with lively melodies.
From a distance...
They looked like the perfect couple.
A powerful duke.
A graceful duchess.
The beginning of another royal fairy tale.
But appearances had always been Asteria's greatest lie.
---
As they descended the cathedral steps together, Kael finally broke the silence.
"You don't have to smile if you don't wish to."
His voice was low enough that only she could hear.
Seraphina turned toward him, surprised.
"What?"
"I know this marriage wasn't your choice."
She searched his face, trying to understand him.
"You know that?"
"I know many things."
His tone remained calm.
"But feelings are rarely among them."
Before she could respond, another group of nobles approached to offer their congratulations.
Each bowed respectfully before Kael.
"Congratulations, Your Grace."
"What an honorable alliance."
"The kingdom is fortunate to witness such a union."
Kael acknowledged each greeting with a single nod.
Nothing more.
Seraphina noticed how carefully everyone chose their words around him.
No one dared joke.
No one dared speak casually.
Even the most influential dukes and ministers seemed uncomfortable beneath his silent gaze.
It wasn't respect alone.
It was fear.
As the line of well-wishers continued, an elderly duchess stepped forward.
She smiled sweetly at Seraphina before lowering her voice.
"My dear..."
"Be patient with him."
Seraphina blinked.
"Pardon?"
The old woman glanced toward Kael, who was busy speaking with the King.
"There was a time," she whispered, "when that young man laughed louder than anyone."
Seraphina frowned.
"Laughed?"
The duchess nodded sadly.
"Before the war."
Before Seraphina could ask another question, the woman simply smiled and walked away.
Her words lingered in Seraphina's mind.
There was a time when he laughed...
It was impossible to imagine.
The man standing beside her seemed carved from ice itself.
What could have happened to turn someone like that into the Devil Duke?
Before she could lose herself in thought, the sound of galloping horses echoed across the palace square.
Every head turned toward the palace gates.
A royal messenger rode into the courtyard at full speed.
His horse was covered in dust.
His face was pale.
He barely managed to stop before the cathedral steps.
Sliding from his saddle, he dropped to one knee.
"Your Majesty!"
His voice trembled.
"A raven has arrived from the Northern Border."
The square fell silent.
The King's expression darkened.
"What news?"
The messenger swallowed hard.
"Our watchtowers have gone silent..."
He looked toward Kael.
"...and an entire border village has disappeared overnight."
A cold wind swept through the square.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
Then the messenger uttered the words that made even the fearless Duke tighten his jaw.
"The survivors all told the same story..."
"They weren't attacked by soldiers."
"They were hunted..."
"...by a man wearing the crest of House Montecielo."
End of Chapter 1 (Part 4)
Next: Chapter 1 – Part 5: The Shadow Wearing the Devil's Crest
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