A Kingdom's Vow

CHAPTRE 5- ELAYLA

I storm into my room, slamming the door shut behind me, tears streaming down my face. Father’s voice booms from the other side of the door.

“Open this door, Elayla, or I’ll break it down!”

“Leave. Me. The. Fuck. Alone!” I scream, my voice raw with frustration and anger. My chest heaves as I try to catch my breath, but the weight of everything crushes me. An arranged marriage? That’s the last thing I need.

He pounds on the door, rattling it in its frame. “Elayla, open this door! We need to talk!”

“Talk about what, Father?” I yell back, my voice cracking. “How you married me off to a complete stranger?”

“To a prince!” he barks, his tone sharp and unrelenting. “The crown prince! He’s the best match you could ever hope for. Do you even understand the opportunities this opens up for our family?”

I laugh bitterly through my tears, the sound hollow and sharp. “Opportunities? Is that all you care about? You’re so damn selfish, Father. You’ve always been a selfish bastard.”

"Don't start with that nonsense , Elayla . I've spent years trying to keep this family afloat and all you do is complain !"

" yes , because throwing money solves everything? You can't even have a normal conversation without barking orders !"

His voice rose, sharp and bitter

" maybe if you respected me for five minutes we wouldn't have to argue ! You almost got us all killed right there !"

I laughs coldly , feeling ache in my throat

"Respect you for what ? Ignoring me my whole life unless i messed up ?great parenting !"

"You think life's easy , don't you ? Wait until you're in my shoes !"

" I'll never be like you !"

I yell , my breath ragged . I sob , words dieing in my throat as i hear him leave .

I sat there, crying for hours. Why would he marry me off like this? I never thought he disliked me so much. When a man asked for Athena’s hand, he always sought her opinion first. And when she refused, he did too—every time. Not just once or twice, but multiple times.

But with me? He didn’t even ask. He just arranged the marriage, as if my feelings didn’t matter. If he wanted the perfect bride for a prince, why didn’t he choose Athena? She’s the one who’s graceful, poised, and everything a crown prince would want. So why me?

There had to be a reason—a mystery behind his decision, a purpose I couldn’t yet see.

And Tyler… oh, Tyler. I need to see him as soon as possible. He must have heard about the marriage by now. But he wasn’t at dinner tonight. Not that I stayed for long. I refused to ride in the same carriage as my father, so I left early with one of his friends.

Sharing that carriage would have been unbearable. He’d only bark orders and lectures the whole ride, and I couldn’t face him—not now.

☆

The night dragged on, and by the time the morning sun rose, I was still in my gown, having gotten no sleep. Exhaustion weighed me down as I lay sprawled on my enormous bed. A knock at the door startled me, but I had no desire to answer it.

“Layla... please open the door. It’s just me,” Athena’s voice called softly.

I sighed and forced myself to sit up, gathering the energy to unlock the door. When I opened it, Athena greeted me with her usual bright smile, a tray of breakfast in her hands.