Dark Desire-Caught between duty and desire (englisch version

Chapter 1

Despia POV:
I strode into the throne room of Mandalore, my steps echoing in the long corridor lined with towering windows that overlooked the bustling city below. The people moved like ants, caught in the monotony of their daily routines, scurrying along their paths without pause. I paused for a moment, letting the warmth of the sun on my skin and the silence of the empty corridor calm my thoughts. It was rare to find such stillness in this place, guarded at every entrance and exit by watchful sentries.
„Despia, everything alright?" A familiar voice broke through my reverie, and I turned to see him—Corvin, with that teasing smile on his lips and his wild, brown hair framing his piercing blue eyes.
„Yeah, everything's fine. I'm just supposed to report to the throne room. Apparently, my parents have some *important guest* who wants to speak with me. I have a bad feeling about this," I answered, my tone laced with irritation. He raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his gaze.
„How bad can it be?" he asked, his voice calm, yet edged with curiosity as he studied me.
„That depends on who this guest is," I replied flatly, crossing my arms defensively.
„Want me to come with you?" he offered casually, as if it were the simplest thing in the world. I hesitated. I didn't want to seem weak or overly dependent, yet his presence was like a balm—a steady anchor that I desperately needed right now. Since he lived in the palace anyway, it wouldn't seem too unusual if he accompanied me.
„Sure, why not," I conceded, and we fell into step beside each other. The silence that stretched between us was comforting, broken only by the sound of our footsteps—his boots striking a solid, rhythmic beat against the marble floor, while the soft click of my heels echoed faintly in the stillness.
When we reached the massive double doors of the throne room, Corvin glanced down at me, his expression questioning. I nodded, taking a deep breath as the guards pushed open the heavy doors.
„Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed royals—Princess Despia, Heir of Mandalore, has arrived," announced my father's advisor in a booming voice, making my presence known to everyone assembled. I stiffened as all eyes turned to me.
„And her companion, Corvin, son of Ares," the advisor added when he noticed Corvin stepping in beside me.
The throne room was vast, its high ceilings stretching endlessly upward, giving a sense of daunting grandeur. My gaze swept the room, taking in the sight of my mother, Queen Persephone, seated regally on her throne, and my father, King Hades, standing protectively beside her, his hand resting gently on her shoulder.
But it was the man at the head of the oval table in the center of the room that caught my attention: Zeus, with his meticulously styled blond hair, trimmed beard, and cold, calculating gray eyes locked on me. His son, Lux, stood silently behind him, his expression unreadable. Zeus's gaze lingered on me, but when he shifted it to Corvin, a thin smile touched his lips.
„Corvin, what a pleasant surprise to see you joining us," Zeus murmured in that falsely pleasant tone, his gaze assessing. Corvin merely shrugged, utterly unfazed by the King of Olympus. He moved silently to his seat, his eyes never leaving mine, giving me a reassuring nod.
I turned to face Lux, the unease in my chest tightening. "May I ask what brings you here?" I demanded, fighting to keep my voice steady, though every instinct screamed at me to turn and run.
„I proposed an alliance to your parents, to unite our forces against Poseidon and force him into trade negotiations," Zeus explained smoothly, his gaze never wavering. "And this alliance would be sealed through a marriage—between you and my son."
His words echoed like a death knell, freezing me in place. "And where, exactly, is my consent in all this?" I spat, fury seeping into my voice as I glared at him. "My mother married my father to escape *you,* Zeus, and now you expect me to sacrifice myself for your schemes, so you can control Poseidon's trade routes? What's in it for me?"
Zeus's face tightened, but he forced a smile. "I was hoping we could discuss the terms, so we might come to an agreement that would make this arrangement... more appealing to you."
An unbidden laugh bubbled up in my chest, sharp and cold. "Oh, now *you* want to negotiate?" I sneered. "Is that what this is?"
Before he could respond, Corvin stepped in, his voice a low, dangerous growl. "What kind of alliance against Poseidon are we talking about here?"
Lux shifted, his gaze flicking to me. "Poseidon has been imposing tariffs on a few trade routes without prior agreements. With this alliance, we'd have the strength to pressure him into lowering them."
I felt my lip curl in disgust. "So you want to go to war over some tariffs?" I asked, voice dripping with disdain. "And the solution is to *force* me to marry him?"
„It is also the destiny of the Heir of Mandalore to wed a son of Olympus and the Republic," Lux added calmly.
„Funny how this is the *first* I'm hearing about it," I shot back. My mother stood then, stepping gracefully down from her throne to approach me.
„They're not entirely wrong, Despia. Your father married me when he became the heir to Mandalore," she said softly, almost gently.
I turned on her, disbelief and hurt twisting in my chest. "That's different. You married Father to escape the choice between eternal damnation and being forced to marry Zeus!"
Hades raised a hand, his voice a calm, steady force amidst the chaos. "She's right, Persephone. Despia is more than a bargaining chip. We should seek a diplomatic solution with Poseidon first. He has repeatedly justified his tariffs, and using brute force would only worsen the situation."
I moved to stand behind Corvin, leaning down to murmur in his ear, "At least someone here has some common sense," I whispered, and his deep, quiet laughter warmed the icy pit in my stomach.
„So let me get this straight," I said, straightening and fixing Zeus with a cold, unyielding gaze. "Poseidon imposes *justified* tariffs, and your brilliant solution is to *force* him into compliance through a marriage alliance?"
„Yes, more or less," Lux replied stiffly. I shook my head, rage burning through every vein in my body.
„Then here's my answer," I hissed, lifting my middle finger. "Go to hell."
With that, I spun on my heel and stormed out of the throne room, fury and adrenaline propelling me through the corridors until I reached the gates, where Cerberus and Charon were stationed.
„My lady, what brings you here?" Charon asked as Cerberus bounded over, his massive heads nudging at me for attention.
„Nothing, Charon. Just needed to clear my head before I start killing people," I muttered, sinking to the ground as Cerberus curled around me protectively.
I buried my face in his thick fur, struggling to hold back the tears threatening to spill. "I don't understand, Cerbi. I thought my mother, of all people, would understand. I know what my fate is, I know that one day I'll have to marry a son of Olympus, but there are *so many* of them. Why can't I choose for myself? Maybe I could even find someone who loves me... someone I could be *happy* with." My voice broke, and I clutched desperately at his fur, hot tears finally breaking free.
„I know Mom didn't marry Dad out of love, but he was always *good* to her. He protected her... cared for her... and... and..." I choked on the words, sobbing uncontrollably into Cerberus's fur as he whined softly, nudging me closer, his warm bodies a shield against the cold world around us.
I cried until there was nothing left, until the numbness finally overtook the pain.