—
The sound of wedding bells echoed far and wide as I rode through the town in my ornate carriage, making my way to the church where I would be joined in matrimony with my future partner. Each chime reverberated through my chest, a reminder of the momentous occasion ahead. My heart raced, pounding against my ribcage, and my palms grew sweaty with anticipation. I wore the finest white suit that the seamstress had crafted, designed specifically to capture and accentuate my delicate features. The fabric felt luxurious against my skin, yet it also amplified the weight of my situation. Being an omega had never been easy, but now, here I was, on the brink of marrying the crown prince of the empire—a reality I had never imagined.
As I reached my destination, the carriage came to a halt, and I hesitated for a brief moment, overwhelmed by the enormity of what lay ahead. I took a deep breath, steadying myself for the journey into this new life. My father’s outstretched hand beckoned me to step down from the carriage, and I grasped it, feeling the reassuring grip of his support.
The grand oak doors of the church loomed before me, their intricate carvings glistening in the sunlight, standing as a solemn threshold to my future. I felt the weight of their presence as they stared back at me, a symbol of the commitment I was about to make. It was time to enter and take my vows to the man who would be my husband and my forever.
In truth, as much as I had never desired this marriage, it was happening, and I knew I had to make the best of it. I steeled myself for the journey ahead, reminding myself that perhaps there could be joy in this union, even if it was forged under the pressures of duty and expectation.
—
As I stepped through the grand oak doors, the church was awash with light, illuminating the gathering of family, friends, and dignitaries who had come to witness this union. The fragrant scent of blooming flowers filled the air, mingling with the soft music played by a small ensemble in the corner. I felt my heart flutter, a mix of anxiety and excitement, as I moved forward, the eyes of the congregation upon me.
Aleron stood at the altar, his tall frame draped in royal attire, exuding an aura of confidence that only an alpha could possess. Our gazes met, and I noticed a flicker of uncertainty in his striking blue eyes, a reflection of my own feelings. The priest began the ceremony, his voice steady and reassuring as he spoke of love, loyalty, and the bond we were about to forge.
As we exchanged vows, my heart pounded in my chest. “I do,” I whispered, the words feeling both heavy and liberating as they left my lips. I looked into Aleron’s eyes, searching for a hint of warmth or sincerity, and found a mixture of determination and resignation. He took my hand, his grip firm yet gentle, and together we placed the rings on each other’s fingers, sealing our fate.
With the final pronouncement of “husband and husband,” the congregation erupted in applause, and a sense of finality washed over me. As Aleron leaned in to press a soft kiss to my lips, I felt a surge of warmth course through me, an unexpected sensation that made me question everything I thought I knew about this marriage.
Once the ceremony concluded, we stepped outside into the sunlight, the cheers of the crowd surrounding us like a warm embrace. The town had gathered to celebrate our union, their faces beaming with joy and excitement. Flowers rained down upon us, a colorful shower that seemed to bless our new beginning.
As we climbed back into the carriage, I felt the weight of the day pressing down on me. The journey to the palace was filled with a strange silence, interrupted only by the rhythmic clatter of hooves against cobblestones. Aleron sat beside me, his expression contemplative as we traveled through the streets, the palace looming ever closer.
“Are you alright?” he finally asked, breaking the silence.
“I suppose so,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. “It’s all just… a lot to take in.”
He nodded, a hint of understanding passing between us. “It is. But we’ll navigate this together. We’re in this for the long haul, after all.”
I turned to look at him, surprised by his words. Perhaps there was a chance for us to find common ground after all, even if the foundation was shaky.
As we approached the palace, the grand structure bathed in golden light, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the life that awaited us within those walls. We were no longer just Lucian and Aleron; we were now the Crown Prince and his consort, bound by duty yet free to carve out our own path.
The carriage came to a stop, and as we stepped down, I felt a flicker of hope ignite within me. Maybe, just maybe, this marriage could become something more than I had ever envisioned. With each step toward the palace, I resolved to embrace this new chapter, ready to face whatever came next alongside the man I had once thought I would never be able to tolerate.
—
We were settled in and shown to our rooms, and as much as I wished we could have our own separate spaces, that was unfortunately not allowed in the palace. Married couples were required to sleep together in the same room; it was an unspoken rule of the royal household. I sighed deeply as I collapsed onto my new bed, taking a moment to absorb my surroundings. My luggage had already been placed neatly in the room before our arrival, each piece a reminder of the life I had just left behind.
Aleron was busy discussing matters with Lord Eldric just outside our door, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I felt drained, mentally and emotionally. I replayed the day in my mind, the grandeur of the wedding ceremony still vivid in my memory. I realized that I was no longer just Duke Vallen’s Omega son; I was now part of the royal family, the future Queen of the Empire. The weight of that responsibility pressed down on me, but I pushed it aside for now; that was a problem for another day.
After a moment of hesitation, I entered the washroom and was greeted by a lavish sight. Rose petals were scattered everywhere, floating gently in the still warm water that filled the tub. It was both romantic and overwhelming, and I decided that a bath could do me some good right now. I took off my garments, letting them fall to the floor, and sank into the soothing water. As I closed my eyes, the warmth enveloped me, momentarily easing the tension that had built up throughout the day.
Suddenly, I heard the sound of the door opening and closing. Aleron must be finished with his duties, I thought to myself. I reluctantly stood up from the tub, quickly wrapping myself in a robe. I didn’t want to be selfish and enjoy this moment of relaxation alone, especially knowing we were both stressed from the day’s activities.
As I stepped out of the washroom, I found Aleron sitting on the edge of the bed with his head buried in his hands. “Stressful day, huh?” I ventured, trying to break the ice and ease the atmosphere.
“Yes… I am tired,” he replied with a heavy sigh, finally looking up at me. I could see the fatigue etched into his features, but the moment his gaze met mine, I felt a sudden rush of discomfort. His eyes roamed over me, taking in my appearance, and though it made me uneasy, I wasn’t entirely repulsed by it.
“Uhm, uhm,” I cleared my throat, attempting to regain my composure. “You might want to get a bath too. It could help wash away the stress of the day. After that, we can set out some rules between us.”
“Rules? What rules?” he asked, his brows furrowing in confusion.
“Just… guidelines for how we navigate this marriage,” I replied, avoiding his gaze as I walked over to my luggage to find something comfortable to wear for the night. “We may not have chosen this life, but we can at least try to make it work, right?”
I felt Aleron’s eyes on me again, and the weight of his stare made my heart race. I focused on rummaging through my belongings, trying to ignore the tension brewing in the air. It was clear that both of us were still processing everything that had happened today, and I hoped that this conversation would help us find some common ground.
The moonlight streamed through the ornate windows, casting shadows across the lavish room that now felt like a battleground. I stood stiffly, my heart racing, my chest tightening with each breath I took. The silence felt oppressive, and I could feel Aleron’s frustration simmering beneath the surface as he paced back and forth.
“I can’t believe you,” he spat, his voice sharp and cutting through the heavy air. “This is our wedding night, and you refuse to even sleep in the same bed as me? What kind of a marriage is this?”
“It’s not a marriage I asked for!” I shot back, my own anger rising. “You think I’m going to just roll over and pretend everything is fine? I don’t want to share a bed with you, Aleron. Not tonight, not ever.”
He stopped pacing, turning to face me with an incredulous look. “So what do you plan to do? Sleep on the floor? This is ridiculous! You’re acting like a child.”
“Better a child than someone who pretends to accept a life they didn’t choose!” I exclaimed, my voice echoing off the walls. “You don’t understand what it feels like to be thrust into a situation like this. You just want me to conform to your expectations without considering how I feel!”
“Expectations? This isn’t about expectations; it’s about basic decency!” His tone was harsh, each word laced with anger. “You can’t just shut me out because you’re scared! We’re supposed to be a team, but all I see is you trying to push me away.”
“Team?” I scoffed, disbelief mingling with my fury. “You want a team? How can we be a team when you don’t even respect my feelings? You think marriage is a game, Aleron. This is my life, and I refuse to be treated like an accessory to your royal duties!”
His jaw clenched, and I could see the muscles in his face tighten with rage.
He sat up straighter, the weariness in his posture suddenly replaced by irritation. “I didn’t choose this either, Lucian! I’m just as trapped as you are in this situation. But if we’re going to make it work, I need more than just a set of rules. I need honesty. I need you to be all in, not just going through the motions!”
“Going through the motions?” I echoed, incredulous. “Is that what you think I’m doing? I’m trying to find my footing here, Aleron! I didn’t ask for this life, and neither did you! But instead of supporting each other, you want to make me feel guilty for trying to set some boundaries?”
His expression darkened, and I could see the tension building in his jaw. “Boundaries? You’re the one who’s refusing to even share a bed with me tonight! You’re acting like I’m some kind of monster, and you’re too good to be my husband.”
I felt a rush of anger at his words, cutting deep into the hurt I was already feeling. “That’s not fair! I’m not saying you’re a monster; I just need time to adjust. This is all so overwhelming, and you don’t seem to understand that!”
“You think I wanted this either? You think I enjoy being forced into a marriage with someone who won’t even look at me? You’re not the only one who feels trapped!”
“Then maybe you should have thought about that before you agreed to this!” I shot back, my heart racing with a mix of hurt and defiance. “You’ve had a choice all along, and you chose this life. I’m the one who’s being forced into it!”
The tension in the room was palpable, and for a moment, we stood there in silence, both breathing heavily, our emotions raw and exposed. I could see the hurt in his eyes, but it was drowned out by the anger I felt, the bitterness of my situation.
“You know what?” Aleron said finally, his voice low and controlled but laced with irritation. “I’m done. If you want to act like this, fine. I won’t force you into something you’re not ready for.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, my heart sinking at the thought of him giving up.
“I mean,” he said, his voice dripping with frustration, “I’m going to sleep on the sofa. If you don’t want to share a bed, then I won’t pretend anymore. Enjoy your space, Lucian. Clearly, that’s all you want.”
With that, he turned sharply and strode toward the sitting area, leaving me standing there, stunned. The finality in his words echoed in the silence of the room, and my heart sank even further. I could hear the rustle of fabric as he picked up a throw blanket and settled onto the sofa, a barrier forming between us that felt insurmountable.
As I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, the reality of the situation washed over me like cold water. This wasn’t how I had envisioned our wedding night. Anger simmered in my chest, but beneath it lay a deep sense of loss—a loss of connection, a loss of hope. In that moment, I realized that the distance between us wasn’t just physical; it was emotional, a chasm that felt impossibly wide.
The sound of the blanket rustling and the creak of the sofa were the only reminders that he was still in the same room. I closed my eyes, wishing for sleep to come, but the bitterness lingered, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of our struggles. I had never felt so alone, even in the presence of the man I was now supposed to call my husband. Maybe all the hope i had was just wishful thinking. I chuckled sadly as I closed my eyes and allowed the stress and emotional turmoil take me away.
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