THE ENEMY'S BRIDE

DEPARTURE

On the day of her departure, everything had already been set in motion.

Announcements had been made and arrangements finalized.

It was not just a farewell-

It was a send-off for a princess.

Not an ordinary royal, but one who held undeniable influence within the court of Valerith.

That morning, the entire capital felt different. Quieter and heavier.

Heliana stood at the border. The very edge of Valerith. Beyond it lay Viremont.

Elowen Crestfall stood beside her, adjusting the final details of her outfit with careful hands.

"Everything is ready, Your Highness," she said softly.

Ahead of them, soldiers were lined in perfect formation, stretching from one end of the border to the other.

Not a single movement out of place.

Between the two kingdoms stood the barrier.

Invisible at first glance-

But present.

A faint shimmer rippled across the air, like heat waves under the sun.

It was not a wall built of stone or steel.

It was technology.

A highly advanced security system created jointly after years of conflict between the two kingdoms.

Encoded with layers of encrypted data, surveillance algorithms, and energy fields that responded to both kingdoms' authorization codes.

No one could pass through it. Not by force. Not by skill.

Only when both Valerith and Viremont granted access-

Would it open.

And today...

It would.

Heliana's gaze shifted behind her.

What she saw made her pause.

A long line of luxury vehicles stretched across the distance. Polished and immaculate.

Behind them stood armed escorts, royal guards, and officials.

Further ahead-

A private jet. Large, elegant, decorated with the insignia of Viremont.

Heliana raised a brow slightly. She hadn't expected this level of preparation.

"So they really came prepared," she muttered.

She had heard stories. That wealth in Viremont was beyond imagination.

That gold and rare stones were as common as currency.

Now-

She was beginning to believe it.

The door of the jet opened. A man stepped out. He was tall, refined and

striking.

His silver hair caught the light, giving him an almost unreal presence. His posture was straight, movements precise.

He approached her and bowed slightly.

"Your Highness," he said respectfully.

"My name is Adrian Vale. I serve as personal aide to His Majesty-the Crown Prince, Leonardo Reid Viremont."

Heliana studied him briefly.

"I have been sent to ensure your journey proceeds without complication," he continued.

"Until the alliance is formally sealed, certain protocols must still be observed."

Heliana gave a small nod.

She understood. Trust between kingdoms wasn't built in a day.

Behind her, the royal family of Valerith had gathered.

Heliana didn't feel anything.

To others, this was a farewell filled with emotion.

To her-

It was nothing.

Around them, nobles and dignitaries dabbed at their eyes with handkerchiefs.

Some whispered. Some pretended to be moved.

Fake.

All of it.

Heliana stepped forward.

Toward the king.

Cameras flashed instantly, capturing the moment.

From the outside-

It looked like a simple embrace between father and daughter.

But it wasn't.

"Goodbye, Father," she whispered, her voice soft, almost pleasant.

Then, just for him-

"I hope your nights are never peaceful again."

Her smile never faded. She pulled away.

Next-

Alaric.

She looked at him for a moment.

He was still the same.

Arrogant.

Cowardly.

Spineless.

But-

At least he had something their father didn't.

A heart.

"You'll make a decent king," she said quietly, stepping closer. "If you grow a spine."

Her words were light. Almost teasing.

But sharp enough to sting.

Alaric smiled.

She smiled back.

For a second-

It almost looked real.

Then both of them seemed to remember who they were.

They cleared their throats at the same time.

Turned away.

And the moment vanished.

"Your Highness," Adrian spoke again, "it is time. We must depart."

Heliana let out a soft breath.

Then turned.

Her gaze lingered on the kingdom behind her.

The place she grew up in.

The place that never truly felt like home.

She raised her hand slightly and waved.

Then, without hesitation-

She walked forward.

Each step slow, deliberate and final.

She entered the jet.

Elowen followed closely behind her.

To others, Elowen was just her personal maid.

But that was far from the truth.

Elowen Crestfall was a member of House Crestfall-

One of the oldest and most powerful noble houses in Valerith.

A family that had pledged loyalty to the crown for generations.

They were not servants. They were pillars.

And now-

Elowen stood not just as her maid-

But as her closest ally.

As the doors of the jet closed behind them-

Heliana did not look back again.