Morning came without warmth.
A pale, gray light filtered through the tall windows, stretching across the cold stone floor like a quiet reminder-another day had begun.
Lyra hadn't slept.
Not really.
She sat by the window, the blanket loosely wrapped around her shoulders, her gaze distant as the forest swayed under the early wind. The mark on her wrist had dimmed, but it hadn't disappeared.
It was still there.
Still binding.
Still unwanted.
Behind her, the bed remained untouched.
And Kael-
Was already gone.
Lyra noticed it immediately.
Of course he would leave early.
Of course he wouldn't stay.
A faint, humorless smile crossed her lips.
"Good," she murmured.
The less she had to deal with him...
The better.
The palace, however, had other plans.
The moment Lyra stepped outside her chamber, she felt it again.
The stares.
The whispers.
But this time-
They were louder.
"She slept in his room...?"
"No, I heard she didn't even use the bed."
"How disrespectful."
"She thinks she's above us."
Lyra walked past them like she didn't hear a thing.
But every word registered.
Every tone.
Every look.
They weren't hiding it anymore.
Yesterday, she was an outsider.
Today-
She was an insult.
Good.
Let them hate her openly.
At least it was honest.
"Your Highness."
A voice called from behind.
Lyra stopped.
Turned.
The same young servant from last night approached her, slightly out of breath.
"You shouldn't walk alone," she said quickly.
Lyra raised an eyebrow.
"And why not?"
The girl hesitated.
Then lowered her voice.
"Because they won't touch you openly... but they can make things difficult."
Lyra studied her for a moment.
"...You're worried about me?"
The girl looked surprised by the question.
"I just-" she stopped, then sighed softly. "Not everyone here agrees with what's happening. But that doesn't mean they'll help you either."
Lyra nodded slightly.
The girl gave her a small, uncertain look.
"I don't need help."
"...Even strong people do sometimes."
Lyra didn't respond.
Kael didn't react.
"She disrespected you," another added. "Refused to follow even basic customs."
"That alone is enough to question her place
here."
Kael's gaze remained fixed ahead.
Cold.
Unreadable.
"She is not here to earn your approval," he said finally.
The room fell silent.
"She serves a purpose," he continued. "Nothing more."
The words were sharp.
Clear
Final
Exactly what they expected.
Exactly what he wanted then to hear.
But one of the elders leaned forward slightly.
"And if she refuses to fulfill that purpose?"
A pause
Kael's jaw tightened.
For a brief moment-
Lyra's voice echoed in his mind.
I would rather sleep on the ground than in the same room as you.
His eyes darkened.
"She won't," he said coldly.
Later that day-
Lyra found herself in the palace gardens.
It was the only place that felt... less suffocating.
The air was lighter here.
The silence more natural.
She walked slowly along the stone path, her fingers brushing lightly against the leaves of unfamiliar plants.
For a moment-
She almost felt at peace.
Almost.
"You don't belong here."
The voice broke it instantly.
Lyra stopped.
Tumed.
A group of werewolves stood behind her.
Not guards.
Not nobles.
Just... wolves.
Watching her with open disdain,
Lyra didn't move.
"I'm aware," she replied calmly.
One of them scoffed.
"Then why stay?"
Lyra tilted her head slightly.
"Because I was brought here."
Another stepped forward.
"You could leave."
Lyra's gaze sharpened.
"And start a war?" she asked. "Is that what you want?"
A pause.
They didn't answer.
Because they knew..
They couldn't afford that either.
"But don't misunderstand," Lyra added, her voice
dropping slightly. "I'm not here because I want to be
The tension lingered
Thick
Uncomfortable.
Then-
A sudden voice cut through the air.
"That's enough."
Cold.
Commanding.
Familiar.
The group stiffened instantly.
Kael.
He approached slowly, his presence alone enough to shift the atmosphere.
The werewolves stepped back immediately, lowering their heads.
"My apologies, Your Highness," one of them said
quickly. "We were just-"
"Leave"
No hesitation.
No room for argument
They left.
Immediately.
Silence followed.
Lyra tumed her gaze toward him.
"...I didn't need your help," she said.
Kael's expression didn't change.
"I didn't do it for you."
Of course he didn't.
Lyra expected nothing less.
A pause settled between them.
Uncomfortable.
Tense.
Then-
Kael spoke again.
"You're making enemies."
Lyra let out a quiet breath.
"They made that decision before I even arrived."
Kael didn't argue.
Because it was true.
His gaze flickered briefly to her wrist.
The mark.
Still there.
Still connecting them.
"...You should avoid unnecessary conflict," he
said.
Lyra's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Why?" she asked. "Afraid I'll cause trouble for
your kingdom?"
Kael looked at her.
Directly.
"No," he said.
A pause.
Then-
"I'm avoiding unnecessary trouble."
The meaning was clear.
Lyra's lips pressed into a thin line.
"...Then stay out of my way."
Kael didn't respond.
For a moment, they just stood there.
Side by side.
Not close.
Not far.
Bound.
But distant.
Then-
Kael turned and walked away.
Like always.
Lyra watched him go.
Her expression unreadable.
But her fingers-
Slowly tightened around her wrist.
"...This won't last," she whispered.
She didn't know if she meant the marriage.
The bond.
Or the control they both pretended to have.
That night-
The palace felt colder.
Quieter.
But beneath it all-
Something was shifting.
Slowly.
Dangerously.
Because hate-
When forced too close-
Doesn't disappear.