RULING HEARTS

I - Already

The grand ballroom of the royal palace was filled with the glimmering light of hundreds of crystal chandeliers, their reflections dancing off the polished marble floors. Nobility from around the kingdom had gathered for the evening, their voices mingling and creating a low hum of excitement.

Among the crowd, a young noblewoman stood, her eyes filled with a mixture of trepidation and curiosity. She was dressed in an elegant gown of deep blue silk, and her long hair cascaded down her back in shimmering waves.

She watched as the Crown Prince, surrounded by a throng of admirers, moved through the room with an air of quiet authority. He was a striking figure, tall and broad-shouldered, with hair the color of burnished gold and a firm jawline. His deep-set eyes seemed to miss nothing, and he moved with a confidence that was almost regal.

As the young woman watched him, she felt a flutter of nervousness in her stomach. The rumors had reached her - he was known for his intense focus on duty and his disdain for emotional attachments.

Just then, a soft hand touched her elbow, and she turned to see her mother, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of pride and concern.

"My dear, have you spoken to the prince yet?" her mother asked quietly.

Elara looked over at the prince, who was engaged in conversation with a group of nobles. Just then, as if sensing her gaze, he turned and their eyes met for a moment. In that instant, she felt a flash of unease, as if he could see straight into her soul.

Lady Eleanor noticed her expression.

"You're overthinking it, my dear," she said quietly. "Prince Lucien is a good man, and he has a reputation for being fair and just. You're lucky to be betrothed to him."

Elara nodded absently, her thoughts elsewhere. She knew that her mother was right - there were worse suitors she could have been betrothed to, and the prince was widely respected and admired by many. But she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over her as she watched him.

"He's so intense," she murmured, half to herself.

"He has to be," Lady Eleanor said, a note of understanding in her voice. "He has been training to rule since he was a child, and the weight of the kingdom rests on his shoulders. That kind of responsibility can make a man hard-edged."

Elara chewed on her lip, watching as the prince excused himself from the group and moved across the room to the dais at the far end. He climbed the steps and stood before the crowd, a commanding presence that immediately silenced the whispers and chatter.

"Let us begin," he said, his voice deep and resonant. "We are gathered here tonight to celebrate the betrothal between our kingdom and the House of Valrose, and the union of myself and Lady Elara."

The room erupted in applause, and Elara felt her palms begin to sweat as all eyes turned to her. Prince Lucien held out his hand, and she made her way towards the dais, her knees weak.

As she took his hand, she felt a jolt of electricity run through her. She saw a flicker of something in his eyes, but it was gone so quickly she wondered if she had imagined it. He guided her to his side, and together they faced the crowd.

"I thank all of you for your attendance," Prince Lucien continued, his voice carrying confidently through the room. "This marriage will bring our kingdoms closer together, and strengthen the bonds of trust and friendship between our peoples."

Elara, standing beside him, felt a sudden surge of nervousness. She tried to steady herself, but couldn't help stealing glances at him. His profile was chiseled, his features sharp and striking. But there was something in his gaze that unsettled her - a kind of intensity that made her feel exposed and vulnerable.

He continued to make his speech, his words confident and authoritative. The nobles in the room listened with rapt attention, some nodding their heads in agreement, others whispering amongst themselves. But Elara could barely focus on what he was saying. She was hyper-aware of the feel of his hand on hers, so close to her body.

He was holding her hand firmly, but there was no warmth in his touch. It felt almost cold and impersonal, like touching a statue. Elara felt a pang of disappointment, hoping for a hint of affection or attraction. But he was all business, his expression unchanged as he spoke. When he glanced down at her, his eyes were like ice - sharp and guarded.

Finally, the speech came to an end, and the applause began once more. Prince Lucien thanked everyone once again, and they retreated from the dais. He led her through the crowd, his strides long and purposeful, his grip on her hand unwaveringly strong.

Elara struggled to keep up with his pace, her mind racing as she tried to think of something to say. But before she could speak, he cut her off.

"We're leaving," he said curtly, his voice barely above a whisper. "There are things we must discuss."

He led her through a side door, and they stepped out into a secluded garden. The air was cool and fragrant, the sound of the party muffled by the stone walls. He pulled her to a halt under the shadow of a tall oak tree, and turned to face her.

"We are now officially betrothed," he said, his voice low and grave. "It is our duty to honor the agreement between our families. But I must be clear - I have no intention of allowing any romantic entanglements to complicate our marriage."

He continued, "Once we are married, we will live separate lives. There will be no sharing of chambers or any form of intimacy except in the fulfillment of our duties. Is that clear?"

Elara nodded silently, her throat suddenly dry. She felt a sense of emptiness in her chest - she had known that their marriage would not be based on love, but hearing him speak so coldly about the future filled her with a sense of resignation.

Elara swallowed hard, forcing herself to speak. Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"Yes, it's clear," she said, her voice shaking slightly.

Prince Lucien nodded, seemingly satisfied. He leaned back against the tree, his eyes fixed on her. His gaze was unreadable, making her feel like an insect pinned to a display board.

"There is one more thing," he said, his voice low and serious. "You must never try to engage me in emotional matters. I have no interest in your feelings or desires. Our marriage will be a partnership of convenience, nothing more."

Elara bit her lip, trying to hide the hurt that his words had caused. She knew that she should be grateful that he was being upfront about his intentions, but a part of her had foolishly hoped for something more than just an emotionless alliance.

"If you have any expectations for love or affection, you had better discard them now," he continued, his voice cold and matter-of-fact. "I do not have the capacity or the desire to give you anything more than what is required to uphold our families' alliance."

Elara took a deep breath, summoning all her courage.

"I understand," she said, her voice quiet but steady. "I know that this marriage is not about love. I never expected anything more than what is necessary to fulfill our duties as husband and wife."

Prince Lucien studied her for a moment, as if searching for any hint of dishonesty or insincerity. Finally, he nodded, seemingly satisfied with her response.

"Good," he said, pushing off from the tree. "Remember that, and we'll get along just fine."