(Elara's POV)
"I will not marry her!"
The words came out before I could stop myself. My voice echoed inside the chamber.
"No. I will not marry her!"
Why should I give up my freedom for a promise made years ago? A promise made by people who were not even me?
Before anyone could answer, I turned and ran. Tears were already falling from my eyes. Behind me, I could hear my father shouting.
"Elara! Come back here!"
But I did not stop.
I ran straight to my room and locked the door. I wanted to go to my mother. Whenever I was lost or confused, I always went to her. But she was not even in the kingdom. She was visiting another land. At that moment, I felt completely alone.
The truth was, I did not even hate the Crown Princess of Kazunaga. If I were in her place, I would not step down either. If the throne belonged to me by blood, why would I give it up?
No.
The situation was not her fault.
But that did not change the fact that in this situation… I was the one losing everything.
For several days, I refused to leave my room. Eventually, my grandmother came to see me.
Queen Mother Minerva.
She sat beside me quietly.
"I was also surprised by the decision of the future ruler of Kazunaga," she said gently. "But the promise between our kingdoms is old and sacred. The Blood Oath cannot simply be ignored."
I listened silently.
My grandmother was the one who truly accepted me in this kingdom. When my father first brought me here, many people had questions about my birth. My mother was the daughter of a duke from the province of Harbon in Vesperia, but my father never married her. Their relationship ended long ago.
Still, under the laws of Vesperia, a ruler could have children from more than one woman. So the kingdom accepted me.
But Queen Letisha never truly did.
I understood the story well enough.
And because I understood it… I also understood why I had no choice.
Even if I hated the situation.
My mind wandered back to someone else.
Prince Haru.
He sometimes visited Vesperia when we were younger. We never had any romantic relationship, but many people expected that one day we would marry. He was four years older than me. Tall. Respectful. Strong.
Whenever he visited, he would tell me stories about Kazunaga. He also once told me about his cousin.
The future ruler.
"She's a wicked queen," he joked once.
At the time, I imagined someone unpleasant. Maybe strict. Maybe older. Someone with cold black eyes and a serious face.
Honestly, I never even wondered what she really looked like.
Soon, the day came when we had to travel to Kazunaga.
I wore a black gown.
Not because I wanted to insult their queen.
In Kazunaga, black was simply another color.
But for me… black meant mourning.
I was mourning my freedom.
Despite everything, my brother Luis smiled at me. My grandmother also held my hand gently.
The journey ended in the capital of Kazunaga.
The kingdom was beautiful.
More beautiful than I expected.
Wide roads. Busy markets. Jewels, metalwork, and precious stones everywhere.
It was clear that Kazunaga was a rich and powerful kingdom.
Soon, we arrived at the palace.
The palace itself was breathtaking.
Tall gates. Large stone pillars. Red and gold banners hanging from the walls.
Inside the throne hall, nobles from many different kingdoms had gathered.
Everyone wanted to witness the coronation of the new queen.
That was when I saw Prince Haru again.
He walked toward me and gently kissed my hand.
But there was sadness in his eyes.
Maybe he already knew what would happen.
Then the ceremony began.
The hall slowly fell silent.
A loud voice echoed through the chamber.
"Presenting the Crown Princess of Kazunaga…"
My heart started beating faster.
"The future queen…"
The large doors of the throne hall slowly opened.
"Her Majesty—Crown Princess Eri!"
Time seemed to slow.
I expected someone completely different.
But the moment she stepped into the hall—my breath stopped.
Blonde hair. Sharp eyes. Blue eyes.
My heart almost stopped.
No way…
The woman I had returned to the forest searching for again and again… the woman from the waterfall… the mysterious stranger I could not forget…
Was standing before the entire kingdom.
And she was not just anyone.
She was the Queen of Kazunaga.
And the worst part?
She was the woman I was supposed to marry.