Genevie stood before the ornate mirror, adjusting the last delicate fold of her gown. The fabric shimmered under the soft light, but her reflection showed a face tense with apprehension. The weight of the evening's upcoming meeting with the King and Queen was palpable. Her heart thudded in her chest, each beat echoing her simmering anger and fear. She was about to face the very people responsible for the destruction of her family.
The door to her chambers creaked open, and Alexander entered, his countenance set with a solemnity that mirrored her own. "Are you ready?" he asked, his voice steady but edged with concern.
Genevie gave a terse nod, her fingers curling around Alexander's arm as they made their way to the dining hall. The castle's opulent corridors seemed to close in around her, their grandeur only heightening her unease. As they approached the heavy, intricately carved doors of the dining room, Genevie's grip tightened on Alexander's arm. The sudden surge of anger she felt was almost overwhelming-a raw, searing emotion that threatened to burst forth.
The doors swung open, revealing a room bathed in the warm glow of candlelight. The long, polished table was adorned with silver and crystal, reflecting the light in a dazzling display. Genevie's gaze was drawn to the King and Queen, seated at the head of the table, their regal presence commanding immediate attention. All eyes turned towards her as she entered, and she fought the urge to flinch under their scrutiny.
Genevie took her seat between Alexander and Avaloone, forcing herself to remain composed. The King, with his stern visage and piercing eyes, began to speak, his voice carrying an authoritative timbre that filled the room. "So," he said, "when will you bear a child-"
Alexander cut him off abruptly, his tone firm. "Father," he said, his voice laced with a mix of irritation and warning.
The Queen, her demeanor poised and serene, interjected smoothly. "Darling, your father is merely inquiring about the future."
Genevie turned slowly to face the Queen, her lips curling into a forced smile. "Genevie, isn't it?" the Queen's voice was soft, but there was an edge to her words. "You have your mother's beauty," she remarked, but the comment felt insincere, like a thinly veiled jab.
The King leaned forward; his eyes cold. "I'm sorry for the disruption we've caused your kingdom. The King of Narva was a fool to challenge my power. Don't take it to heart. I've already considered you as one of us."
The statement hit Genevie like a physical blow. She struggled to maintain her composure, her fingers gripping the edge of the table. The King's dismissal of her family's plight was infuriating.
The Queen, her tone sweet but tinged with condescension, added, "Yes, we've accepted you as our precious daughter-in-law. Consider us your second family."
Genevie's rage simmered beneath her calm façade. Her face grew red, and she fought the urge to lash out. She could barely contain her emotions, each passing second making it harder to maintain her decorum.
The Queen, noticing Genevie's distress, leaned forward with a concerned expression. "Are you alright, my dear?"
Alexander, sensing the impending eruption, intervened. "Mother, Genevie has been feeling unwell recently. May we be excused?"
The Queen's concern seemed genuine, but Genevie could see through the façade. "Oh, if she's not feeling well, she should see a doctor," the Queen said with forced sympathy.
"No, it's quite alright," Genevie said, her voice trembling as she wiped away a tear that was entirely false. "I'm just overwhelmed by the warmth of this welcome. It makes me quite emotional."
The Queen, moved by Genevie's performance, extended her arms for an embrace. "You truly are welcome here, dear. If you're feeling ill, you may excuse yourself."
Genevie nodded, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "How kind of you, Your Majesty."
The Queen's smile was indulgent. "Please, call me 'Mother'."
"Then, if you'll excuse me," Genevie said, rising from her seat.
"Of course. Alex, accompany your wife," the Queen instructed. Avaloone's irritation was evident, but she masked it with practiced civility.
As they walked back to their room, the silence between Genevie and Alexander was heavy with unspoken words. Once they were inside, Genevie whirled to face him, her eyes blazing with a mix of betrayal and disbelief. "Tell me this is all just an act," she demanded, her voice sharp.
Alexander looked at her, confusion etched on his face. "What-"
"They accepted me into this family? How can that be true?" Genevie's voice wavered as she stepped closer, her eyes locked onto his. She searched for any sign of deceit, but Alexander's silence was damning.
Genevie sank onto the edge of their bed, her anger morphing into shock. "No, it can't be. You've got to be kidding me," she said, her voice breaking. The realization that the King and Queen genuinely accepted her, despite the horror they had caused, was almost too much to bear.
Alexander left the room, his mind racing. He too was stunned by his parents' unexpected behavior. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. He returned to the dining room, where the King and Queen were deep in conversation.
"My son, what brings you back?" the Queen asked, her tone clipped.
"Father, may I speak with you privately later?" Alexander asked, his voice taut with suppressed anger.
"Certainly. I'll be in your reading room," the King replied.
After dinner, the King found Alexander in the reading room, engrossed in a book. The King settled into a chair across from him, his expression unreadable. "What is it you wish to discuss, my son?"
Alexander closed the book with a decisive thud and set it aside. "I want an answer," he said, his voice steady but cold.
"About what?" the King inquired.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about. Why did you insist I marry her?" Alexander's tone was demanding, his eyes locked onto his father's.
The King's face hardened. "You've acquired the land. What's the use of her anyway?"
Alexander's frustration flared. "Don't you care for her? I'm giving you what you wanted. William, that foolish old king, didn't grant us his blessing for our happiness. And look at what happens when he messes with the wrong empire."
The Queen, entering the room, added her voice to the fray. "It's all for your future. What kind of parents would withhold anything from their child? We're royalty; there's nothing we can't provide for you."
Alexander's expression was one of disbelief. He recalled how his parents had once spoiled him, recognizing his potential and nurturing his ambitions. They had recognized his empathy, an unusual trait for someone of his station, and had adjusted their plans to accommodate his growing influence.
Before the war, Genevie had been promised to the crown prince of the Bzerabet Empire. The war had erupted suddenly, with false rumors circulating about the Narva royal family's demise. Only Genevie, as the second princess married to Alexander, had survived. The Bzerabet Empire, shocked by these events, had remained passive due to the lack of a formal alliance.
The King and Queen had always been wary of Alexander's potential rebellion. They had seen his growing popularity and adjusted their plans, canceling his engagement to the Duke's eldest daughter when they realized he was smitten with the crown princess of Narva.
"You lied to me," Alexander said, his voice trembling with anger. "I thought the Narva Kingdom was at fault. But you manipulated me into hating them."
The King's expression remained impassive. "It is their fault for not-"
"I don't care about that!" Alexander shouted, his voice rising. "How dare you fabricate a story to make me despise the Narva? You orchestrated a war and made me believe it was their fault. I married her out of respect for your decision, not out of love!"
The King and Queen exchanged glances, the Queen's eyes flashing with indignation. "Did you just raise your voice at your parents?" she demanded. "After all we've done for you?"
"By making me hate the woman I once loved? You think I could still care for her after this? I did it for you, not for myself!" Alexander's disappointment was palpable.
His anger was rooted in the betrayal he felt. His parents' manipulations had not only destroyed his love for Genevie but also crushed her spirit. "You don't understand," the Queen said, her voice trembling with a mix of guilt and defensiveness.
Alexander's resolve hardened. "I thought I could forgive you, but you've proven otherwise," he said, moving toward the door.
The King's voice followed him. "You know I can revoke your title at any time," he said, his tone a chilling reminder of his power.
"Do it," Alexander retorted, knowing full well that his father wouldn't dare. He was powerful enough to forge his own path, independent of his parents' control.
Alexander returned to his room and found Genevie asleep, her face streaked with the remnants of tears. Guilt gnawed at him as he approached her, gently brushing her hair away from her face. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice choked with remorse. "What have I done?"
He sat beside her, his heart heavy with the weight of his actions. The bitter truth of his parents' machinations had shattered everything he had believed in and caused irreparable damage to the woman he cared for. The realization was a crushing blow, leaving him to grapple with the consequences of his parents' obsession and his own misguided actions.