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<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe palace was exactly as one would imagine\u2014lavish to the point of suffocation. Marble floors, endless corridors, mirrors reflecting a life that didn\u2019t feel like hers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Servants welcomed her, dressed her, prepared her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As if she were part of a ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As if she were playing a role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But no one asked if she was ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The wedding passed in a blur\u2014music, light, unfamiliar faces. Smiles that felt empty. Voices that meant nothing to her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then\u2014silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The kind of silence that comes just before everything changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The room she was led into was enormous. Too large, too perfect. The bed stood in the center like a stage. Her dress, light and delicate, did nothing to hide the trembling in her hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mira sat at the edge, her fingers tightly clasped, as though holding herself together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The door opened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He entered slowly, with quiet authority. Like a man who owned everything within those walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Including her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His gaze was steady. Not openly cruel\u2014but distant, unreadable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re afraid,\u201d he said calmly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It wasn\u2019t a question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mira remained silent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He stepped closer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re safe here,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But his voice didn\u2019t sound reassuring. It felt like a statement of control rather than comfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure he could hear it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTake it off,\u201d he said quietly, gesturing toward her dress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The air seemed to freeze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She hesitated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time stretched painfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Slowly, almost mechanically, she obeyed\u2014not out of willingness, but because she felt she had no choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He watched her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Without emotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Without urgency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And somehow, that made it even more unsettling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He sat beside her, close enough for her to feel the weight of his presence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLook at me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She raised her eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And in that moment, she saw more than just a man\u2014she saw someone accustomed to absolute control, someone who never expected to be questioned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But then something shifted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He paused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As if something about her unsettled him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His expression changed\u2014just slightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re not what I expected,\u201d he said slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mira didn\u2019t understand what he meant. But for the first time, there was something different in his voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Uncertainty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He stood up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Took a step back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNothing will happen tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her breath caught.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy\u2026?\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was silent for a long moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then he answered:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause fear shouldn\u2019t be the beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The words felt strange. Almost unreal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But they gave her something she hadn\u2019t had all day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He left the room, the door closing softly behind him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mira stayed where she was, motionless, trying to understand what had just happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Was it mercy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A delay?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or something else entirely?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She didn\u2019t sleep that night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But one thing became clear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
her story was only just beginning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n