𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐀𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 (𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐝)

26. Unexpected

The next day, Arielle barely recognized herself in the mirror. She looked hollow, the traces of her tears still evident around her swollen eyes. Her face was pale, her expression a reflection of the storm inside her heart. She had barely slept, her mind endlessly replaying the events that happened recently. The gossip about Freya, Aiore's coldness, and Aldith's bittersweet support-it was all too much. But she didn't have the luxury of staying in bed and drowning in her misery. The queen's celebration was today, and the king himself had ordered her to attend.

A maid stood by her side, silently applying makeup in an effort to conceal the signs of her distress. The dark circles under her eyes were carefully covered, and the redness around her eyes was hidden beneath layers of powder. But no amount of makeup could hide the lifelessness in her eyes or the weight pressing on her chest.

The maid, usually talkative and chatty, was quiet that morning. She seemed to sense Arielle's mood and didn't dare ask questions, though her gaze occasionally flicked to her mistress with concern. It was clear to her that something was wrong between Arielle and Prince Aiore. The normally spirited Lady Arielle was uncharacteristically silent, her lips pressed into a thin line as she stared into the mirror.

Once she was ready, Arielle rose from her chair and made her way to the grand hall where the celebration would be held. The palace was buzzing with excitement. News of Queen Ezra's pregnancy had spread throughout the kingdom, and this celebration was an important event. Nobles from all over had come to offer their congratulations, and the atmosphere was one of pure joy. But for Arielle, it was nothing short of a nightmare.

As she entered the hall, her gaze immediately fell on Aiore. He was standing near the throne, his expression unreadable. Arielle's heart clenched painfully, and she quickly looked away, trying to steady her breathing.

The king, sitting proudly next to Queen Ezra, rose from his throne, a broad smile on his face. He clapped his hands to get everyone's attention, and the room fell silent. His voice boomed across the hall, filled with happiness.

"My dear queen," he began, turning to Ezra with an affectionate smile, "you have given me the greatest gift. Our precious daughter. Today, in front of all these nobles, I offer you the chance to ask anything of me. Whatever your heart desires, I will grant it."

The nobles murmured amongst themselves, curious about what the queen would ask for. Aiore and Aldith stood quietly, watching the queen's expression. Aldith even swallowed dry saliva when he saw the smirk on his mother's face, which made him uneasy. Something didn't feel right.

Queen Ezra, ever regal, rose from her seat with grace, her hands resting on her growing belly. Her eyes scanned the room, resting briefly on Aiore and Aldith before landing on Arielle. There was a flash of something cold and calculating in her gaze, but it disappeared as quickly as it came. She smiled warmly at the king and then, with a calm yet commanding voice, made her request.

"I have given you our daughter," she said, her voice carrying across the hall, "and in return, I ask that you secure the future of our family. I want you to make Aldith the crown prince and marry Arielle to him."

The room fell into a stunned silence. The air seemed to freeze as the weight of the queen's words sank in. Nobles exchanged shocked glances, unable to believe what they had just heard. Even the king seemed taken aback, his expression faltering for a moment as he processed her request. Aldith stood frozen, his eyes wide with disbelief, while Aiore's face darkened, a storm brewing in his eyes.

Arielle's heart stopped. For a brief moment, she thought she had misheard. But the ringing in her ears and the tightening in her chest told her otherwise. The queen's words were clear. She wanted Aldith to be the crown prince. And she wanted Arielle to marry him.

The king hesitated, clearly caught off guard by the unexpected demand. He glanced between his sons, his gaze lingering on Aiore, who was staring at the floor, his jaw clenched tightly. Before the king could respond, Arielle-still in shock-found herself speaking.

"I... accept," she whispered, her voice barely audible at first. But when she repeated the words, louder this time, the entire hall turned to look at her. "I accept the queen's request. I will marry Prince Aldith."

The words tasted bitter on her tongue, but she forced herself to say them. She could feel Aiore's gaze burning into her, but she didn't dare look at him. Her heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces, but she kept her expression composed, her shoulders stiff. It was a decision she made out of anger, out of pain-an act of defiance against Aiore and everything he had put her through.

Aiore's world crumbled around him. He had never felt this kind of pain before that he couldn't even react properly. His breath caught in his throat, and for a moment, he felt as though he might lose control of himself. But he forced his emotions down, masking his heartbreak with a cold, distant face, just like he always did.

"Well," he spoke, his voice barely a whisper, "It's our beloved queen's desire. Who am I to oppose her?"

His words were empty, devoid of the fire and passion that had once defined him. And yet, they cut through the silence of the hall like a blade. Arielle flinched inwardly at the sound of his voice, but she didn't turn around. She couldn't.

Aldith, still in shock, blinked several times before a slow smile spread across his face. It was a strange mixture of happiness and guilt. He had always loved Arielle, and now, at last, he could have her. But at the same time, he could feel the pain emanating from his brother, and it twisted something deep inside him.

"I... I like this arrangement," Aldith said finally, his voice soft but steady. "I've always cared for Lady Arielle. I would be honored to marry her."

His words, though genuine, felt like salt in the wound for Aiore. But Aldith couldn't help it. His love for Arielle was too strong to refuse such an opportunity, it seemed like fate had handed him exactly what he wanted.

The queen smirked triumphantly, her chest swelling with pride as she watched her son rise to claim his place. Her malicious gaze shifted to Aiore, but there was no sympathy there, after all, he was born to another woman. Her biological son was Aldith, and now, she was ensuring his future as his mother.

The king, still reluctant, glanced at Aiore one last time. He could see the pain in his son's eyes, but he knew he had no choice. He had made a promise to the queen, and to go back on it now would be dishonorable.

"I will fulfill your request," the king said finally, his voice heavy with regret. "Aldith will be named crown prince within the next two months. And Arielle will marry him on the day of his crown prince ceremony."

The words felt like a death sentence to Arielle. She barely registered the applause of the nobles or the queen's satisfied smile. All she could feel was the suffocating pain in her chest. Without looking back, she turned on her heel and left the hall, her footsteps echoing loudly in the silent room.

Aiore watched her go, his heart breaking with every step she took. He had lost her. And there was nothing he could do to stop it.

That night, Arielle lay in bed, tears streaming down her face. Love, she realized, was nothing but pain.