The weight of the royal crest hung heavily around Violet's neck. It felt like an anchor, a symbol of an unchosen destiny, a chain that she hadn't asked for. And yet, there it was, marking her as someone else's legacy. Someone with a bloodline she hadn't asked for but could never escape.
The corridors of the palace were empty as they left the throne room. The moonlight outside had dimmed, casting a dark blue hue on the marble floors. It felt as though time had stopped for a moment, suspended in the tension of everything that had just been revealed.
Violet glanced sideways at Pierce, who had remained silent since their vows were made. His face was unreadable, but there was something in his eyes that told her he was lost in his thoughts, battling with his own demons.
"I didn't ask for any
