The grand banquet was only two hours away. Aurelia Delensar stood in her chambers, deep in thought, when three sharp knocks echoed from the door. Queen Isolde had sent her three maidservants, each bearing lavish gifts. They stood with their heads bowed, holding a magnificent gown and an array of exquisite jewelry.
The lead maid curtsied gracefully. "Your Highness, Queen Isolde has prepared this ensemble for tonight's banquet. She wishes you to represent the Kingdom of Delensar with the utmost elegance."
Aurelia descended the marble steps, her gaze sweeping over the gown. It was a Crimson Bloom masterpiece, adorned with jewels and diamonds that caught the light with every movement. The bodice was cinched tightly over a whalebone farthingale, accentuating a slender, graceful silhouette. The gown looked like a luxurious gift, waiting to be unwrapped.
Aurelia's heart sank. Earlier, she had overheard the maids whispering about the impending arrival of an envoy from Eldrath. Now, seeing this gown, she knew the queen's intentions. Queen Isolde, who always presented herself as frugal and virtuous, had chosen this extravagant dress to make Aurelia appear indulgent and spoiled. It was a ploy to garner favor with the court—and to draw the envoy's attention.
"Thank Her Majesty for her generosity," Aurelia said coolly, "but I have already chosen my gown for tonight."
The lead maid stepped forward, her expression unwavering. "The queen insists, Your Highness. She believes it is your duty as the princess to make an impression."
The air grew tense. Aurelia's eyes met the maid's, and realization dawned. The queen knew about her afternoon eavesdropping. Of course, she did. In the Kingdom of Delensar, the queen wielded equal authority to the king. With her father and brother absent, Queen Isolde held absolute power. Aurelia was trapped.
The queen intended to use this banquet to fulfill the Bloodbound Oath—to send Aurelia to the Lycan chieftain as his bride. Without her father's protection, Aurelia was vulnerable. She needed to avoid the banquet entirely. Without her presence, the queen's schemes would crumble.
Aurelia accepted the gown and jewelry with a regal tilt of her chin. "I'll take the dress, but you may leave now."
The maid hesitated. "Forgive me, Your Highness, but the queen's orders are clear. We must ensure you are dressed appropriately."
Aurelia's lips tightened. "Then wait outside."
She summoned her two most trusted maids to help her dress and sent for Sister Maribel, her childhood nanny and the only person in the palace she truly trusted. Sister Maribel had once been a candidate for the Holy Light's sacred order but had stepped aside due to health reasons. After Aurelia's mother passed away, Sister Maribel had raised her with unwavering devotion. Now, she resided in the palace's chapel, dedicating her life to prayer.
When Sister Maribel slipped in through the side door, Aurelia was fastening a delicate pearl necklace around her neck. She had eschewed the queen's gaudy sapphire necklace and accompanying jewels. Oversized ornaments did little to enhance her natural grace, and she refused to look like a overdecorated wishing tree.
The gown, however, was surprisingly flattering. The white silk bodice contrasted beautifully with the crimson skirt, and Aurelia's golden hair shimmered like sunlight. She was a swan gliding through a crimson sea, every detail of her appearance carefully curated.
As the maids prepared to lace her into the whalebone farthingale, Aurelia raised a hand. "Sister Maribel," she said casually, "do you remember Nirini?"
Seeing the confusion on her nanny's face, Aurelia added, "The knight my brother assigned to me a few years ago."
Sister Maribel's brow furrowed, then cleared. "Ah, you mean Caelum Valtaris, Your Highness?"
Aurelia paused before nodding. "Yes, him."
Truthfully, Aurelia had forgotten the knight's name. She had always been indifferent to those outside her immediate circle, and Caelum had been no exception. On the day her brother introduced him, Aurelia had been unimpressed. She had watched from the balcony as the knight knelt before her, his golden mask gleaming in the sunlight. He was tall and broad, his presence overwhelming. To the delicate princess, he seemed more like an untamed beast than a protector.
Her brother had reassured her. "Caelum will keep you safe, Aurelia. He's sworn his loyalty to you."
Aurelia had reluctantly agreed, and in a private ceremony, Caelum had pledged his unwavering fealty. He had knelt before her, his voice low and steady. "Your Highness, I will protect you."
There had been a moment when Aurelia felt his gaze on her, intense and unyielding, but when she turned to accuse him, his eyes were downcast, his posture submissive. The moment passed, and Aurelia dismissed it as her imagination.
On the day of the oath, her brother had taken a lock of Aurelia's hair and mixed it with Caelum's blood, sealing the bond within a moonstone pendant. The pendant now hung from a delicate chain on her wrist, a constant reminder of the knight's vow.
As Aurelia finished dressing, she glanced at the pendant. Its golden and crimson hues swirled together, a testament to the bond she had so carelessly accepted. Tonight, she would need that bond more than ever.