A crown between us

The Ceremony

The palace was filled with alot of people.

The grand doors had been opened since early morning, allowing nobles from different parts of Aurelia and other invited guests from within the four kingdoms to enter the palace. Guards stood at every entrance, their uniforms perfectly pressed as they watched the guests arrive .

The ceremony should be perfect.

Today was Azalea's coming-of-age ceremony.

She stood in front of the large mirror in her room, staring down at her reflection.

Her dress was beautiful. She was wearing a pitch floral dress that almost brought out her curves, it was elegant and it brought out her complexion .

She refused to wear a ball gown or anything heavy incase she needed to run away if things get tough for her.

"Stay still."

Azalea glanced at Laura through the mirror she was staring at her reflection on

"I'm still."

"You've moved for at least five times already."

" I am really nervous."

Laura sighed as she adjusted the necklace around Azalea's neck.

"You have been nervous ever since you were reminded of your coming of age ceremony "

Laura stepped back and looked at her.

" Happy birthday and You will be just fine."

Azalea turned around.

" Everyone keeps saying I will be fine but will I really be "

"Yes you will you just need to smile more and think less "

"Easy for you to say for real ."

Laura folded her arms.

"Do you really want me to start panicking with you? I am the shoulder and support if I panic do you think we will make it to your ceremony?"

Azalea chuckled

"No."

"Then stop whining."

Azalea laughed softly before the smile disappeared again.

Her eyes returned to the mirror.

She was sad, it was her birthday but it felt heavier.

Marriage.

She still couldn't believe it, she wished she could wake up from the dream but this was her reality.

Her father had known about the agreement for years. Apparently, so had King Eren of Valthera.

And now, after two generations, the agreement was finally being fulfilled.

Azalea swallowed.

"What time are they arriving?"

Laura knew exactly who she was talking about.

"The delegation from Valthera?"

Azalea nodded.

"Yes."

"Before the ceremony."

Azalea looked away.

"Wonderful."

Laura studied her cousin's s expression. They have been really close since they were 5

They met at Azalea's mother burial and they have been inseparable ever since they were more like sisters.

"You don't have to marry him today."

Azalea looked at her.

"That doesn't make me feel better."

"I was trying."

"I know thank you."

Laura walked over and took her hands.

"You don't even know him ."

"I know ."

"Then don't decide what you think of him yet he might not be that bad yunno ."

Azalea frowned.

"Our fore fathers have already decided enough for both of us."

Before Laura could respond, there was a knock on the door.

A servant entered and bowed.

"Your Highness, The Majesty requests your presence."

Azalea immediately knew what that meant.

"Of course."

She turned toward Laura.

" Please Come with me."

Laura smiled.

"I wouldn't miss it."

They left the room together.

******

In the kingdom of Valthera

Soren stood in front of his bedroom window, looking out at the courtyard below.

His carriage was almost ready.

His guards were waiting.

His father had already given him several instructions that morning, most of which Soren had barely listened to. His mind was somewhere else, ever since his father told him about the pact he has been thinking about one thing.

A person.

Azalea.

The name had become so familiar even though he had never met her.

He knew very little about her.

She was the only daughter of King Aaron of Aurelia.

She had spent four years at Oxlane University.

And She had recently returned home.

And she was supposed to be his wife.

He still found the whole situation very funny and difficult to accept.

"Your Highness, the Carriage is ready"

His personal aide who had been in the room for more than ten minutes waiting for the perfect time to relay the message to his young master.

Soren nodded.

"Okay."

The aide hesitated.

"Is everything alright?"

Soren glanced at him.

"Do I look alright?"

The aide wisely said nothing.

Soren gave a small smile.

"Let's go."

As he walked through the palace, he started remembering what his father was saying

It has been written for two generations.

Soren didn't care how old the pact was.

And He wasn't the one who had made it.

Neither was Azalea.

But somehow, they were both expected to live with it and accept it.

King Eren was already waiting when he finally got to the carriage.

"You are late."

"I'm not."

"You are."

Soren looked at the guards standing nearby.

"Did you tell them that too?"

His father gave him a warning look.

"You will behave accordingly today ."

Soren sighed.

"I always behave."

His father stared at him.

Soren looked away.

"Most of the time."

The king shook his head before entering the carriage.

Soren followed behind his younger brother Jillian.

No one spoke much during the journey.

But as Valthera slowly disappeared behind them, Soren found himself wondering what Azalea would be like.

He was imagining several possibilities.

Maybe she was spoiled.

Or even she was arrogant

Or possibly ,she was just as unhappy about the arrangement as he was.

There was only one way to find out.

Meeting her.

*******

By the time the Valtherian delegation arrived in Aurelia, the palace was already overflowing with guests.

Trumpets sounded from the courtyard.

The guards stood in formation.

King Aaron watched from the palace steps as the royal carriage came to a stop.

Soren stepped out first.

He adjusted his jacket before looking toward the palace.

Everything about Aurelia was different from Valthera.

The architecture was lighter, the gardens more expansive, and the palace itself seemed designed to impress without needing to announce its wealth.

King Aaron walked forward.

"King Eren."

"King Aaron."

Then two men shook hands.

"It has been many years."

"Too many," King Eren replied.

Soren stood quietly beside his father and his brother.

King Aaron turned toward him and Jillian

"And this must be your sons."

Soren and Jillian bowed.

"Your Majesty."

They said in unison

"Welcome to Aurelia, Prince Soren, prince Jillian."

"Thank you."

King Aaron smiled.

"I hope you enjoy your stay."

Soren returned the smile.

"I am sure we will."

But his eyes moved briefly toward the palace.

He knew she was somewhere inside.

Azalea.

******

Azalea stood beside her father as the ceremony began.

The grand hall was filled with people.

Every seat had been occupied.

Nobles whispered among themselves while the musicians waited quietly at the far end of the room.

Azalea tried to remain calm.

Her father leaned slightly toward her.

"Are you alright?"

She smiled politely.

"Yes."

He knew she was lying.

Still, he didn't push her.

The royal herald stepped forward.

"Today, the Kingdom of Aurelia celebrates the coming of age of Her Royal Highness, Princess Azalea."

The room fell silent.

Azalea took a breath.

She stepped forward.

For the first time, she could feel the full weight of everyone's attention.

She had attended countless royal events as a child.

She had smiled for portraits.

She had waved at crowds.

Said speeches.

She had stood beside her Father during ceremonies.

But this was different.

The ceremony continued.

Traditional words were spoken.

Her father placed the ceremonial crown upon her head.

The crowd applauded.

Azalea smiled.

She was supposed to feel happy.

Instead, one thought remained in the back of her mind.

What happens after today?

She looked toward her father.

His expression was proud.

For a moment, she felt guilty for being angry with him.

He loved her and cherished her.

She knew that.

But love didn't make his decision any easier to accept.

People were pairing up on the dance floor.

What is a royal celebration without dance.

Azalea stepped down from the platform.

Laura quickly approached her.

"You survived."

Azalea smiled.

"Barely."

"You looked beautiful."

"Thank you."

Before Laura could say anything else, Azalea noticed her father's attention shift toward the entrance.

She followed his gaze.

The doors opened.

The Valtherian delegation entered.

Azalea's heart suddenly began beating faster.

She knew what this meant.

She had heard about him.

She had spent the last three days trying not to think about him.

But hearing about someone and seeing them were two very different things.

Soren entered beside his father.

Jillian had found his way around the palace already.

He was dressed formally, his expression calm and composed but cold.

Azalea watched him approach.

She hated that she was curious.

She hated even more that he didn't look anything like the unpleasant stranger she had imagined.

He looked confident without appearing arrogant.

Calm.

Very Difficult to read.

Their eyes met briefly.

She immediately looked away.

Laura leaned closer.

"Is that him?"

Azalea whispered.

"I think so."

Laura glanced at Soren.

"He's staring."

"Don't say that."

"I'm just letting you know."

Azalea looked at her.

"Please stop."

Laura smiled.

"Fine just this time."

King Aaron approached the Valtherian delegation.

After exchanging greetings, he turned toward his daughter.

"Come here."

Azalea reluctantly walked forward.

Her father placed a hand gently against her back.

"Azalea, there is someone I'd like you to meet."

She already knew.

Still, she kept her expression neutral.

"This is Prince Soren of Valthera."

Soren stepped forward.

"Your Highness."

He bowed.

Azalea returned the gesture.

"Prince Soren."

For a moment, neither spoke.

Their fathers watched them.

So did half the room. They had stopped dancing to watch whast was happening around them.

Azalea became painfully aware of every pair of eyes around her.

"It is a pleasure to finally meet you," he said.

Azalea raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Finally?"

Soren paused.

"I've heard about you."

"So have I." She said even tho she did not know anything about him except he was the crown prince and he had a brother.

"And what have you heard?"

Azalea almost smiled.

"That you're the Crown Prince of Valthera."

He gave a quiet laugh.

"I suppose that's accurate."

The tension in her shoulders eased slightly.

Only slightly.

King Aaron smiled.

"We willleave you both to have some privacy."

Azalea's eyes widened.

"Father."

But he was already walking away with King Eren.

She turned toward Soren.

"They definitely planned this."

"Probably."

"Of course they did."

Soren glanced around the room.

"Would you like to go somewhere quieter? And with less people?"

Azalea hesitated.

Then nodded.

They moved toward one of the balconies overlooking the gardens.

For several seconds, neither said anything.

Finally, Soren broke the silence.

"You don't seem to want this."

Azalea looked at him sharply.

" do you want this ?"

He nodded.

"No."

That answer surprised her.

She had expected him to defend the arrangement.

But Instead, he simply admitted it.

"Then why are you here?"

"My father told me I had to come."

Azalea folded her arms.

"So did mine."

Soren looked at her.

"Seems our fathers have a lot in common."

For the first time that evening, Azalea laughed.

It was brief, but genuine.

Soren smiled.

Then the silence returned.

Azalea looked out at the gardens.

"I spent four years away from all of this."

"At Oxlane?"

She looked at him.

"You know about Oxlane?"

"I know you studied there."

Azalea frowned.

"You've been asking questions about me or you have been stalking me ."

"My Aide gave me information."

"That's not much better."

Soren laughed softly.

"Fair enough."

She looked away again.

"I liked my life there."

"I can tell."

Azalea turned back.

"How?"

"Because you keep looking at the palace like you're planning your escape."

She stared at him.

Then, despite herself, she smiled.

"Maybe I am."

Soren leaned against the balcony.

"Then I suppose we're both trapped."

Azalea studied him.

"Maybe."

they sighed