Bound By Royalty CHAPTER 4

—

The morning light filtered through the drapes, forcing me awake earlier than I would have liked. As I opened my eyes to the unfamiliar room, the reality of my situation settled in. I was in the palace, and I had gotten married yesterday. The weight of it all fell heavily on my chest as I stared at the ceiling, dreading the eerie, awkward tension that would soon fill the air between Aleron and me. I reluctantly lifted myself from the bed, glancing toward the sitting area where I expected Aleron to be. Thankfully, he was nowhere to be found. I breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that my morning hadn’t been spoiled immediately upon waking.

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. 
“Yes, come in,” I called out. 

The door opened to reveal Lord Eldric, his presence an unwelcome surprise. What business did he have here so early in the morning? 

“Good morning, Your Highness. I trust you slept well?” he asked politely, but I could tell he wasn’t expecting an answer.

I didn’t bother lying. My lips remained pressed into a thin line, and I offered no response. The truth was, I hadn’t slept well at all. How could I, in a strange bed, in a strange place, bound to a man I barely knew?

Sensing my reluctance to engage, Lord Eldric continued, “The King and Queen request your presence downstairs to join them for breakfast. Your husband, Prince Aleron, is already there, and your attendance is required. A bath has been drawn for you, and the maids will be arranging your clothing shortly.”

I sighed, the thought of dining with my new in-laws only adding to the discomfort of the day. “I have a request,” I said flatly, my eyes drifting toward the window. 

Lord Eldric shifted slightly, unsure of where I was going with this. “Of course, Your Highness. Anything I can assist with?” 

“I want Ben brought to the palace. He’s the only one I trust,” I stated firmly, still gazing out at the sprawling gardens beyond the glass. Ben had been with me for as long as I could remember—my loyal butler and confidant. I needed him here if I was to endure this life.

Lord Eldric hesitated. “If it’s about your former butler, I will inform Prince Aleron and await his decision on the matter.”

Anger flared inside me at his words. So now I needed Aleron’s permission to bring Ben into the palace? I clenched my fists, my voice rising as I spat, “What do you mean, you need the Prince’s permission? I am his husband, and I have authority here too. Aleron doesn’t control every aspect of my life! Just because we’re married doesn’t mean he gets to dictate everything I do!”

My chest heaved with frustration, though I knew Lord Eldric was simply carrying out his duties. Still, the idea of needing Aleron’s approval for something so personal ignited a deep resentment within me.

“I want Ben here in the next few hours, and that’s final,” I commanded, my tone leaving no room for argument. 

Lord Eldric shifted uncomfortably. “But, Your Highness…”

I cut him off sharply. “No buts. Are you planning on defying me, Lord Eldric?” I asked, my eyes narrowing as I fixed him with a hard stare. 

“No, Your Highness,” he bowed his head before retreating from the room.

As the door closed behind him, I stood and moved toward the window, staring out at the magnificent palace grounds. It was a beautiful place, undeniably so, but it felt like a gilded cage. After a moment of quiet contemplation, I made my way to the washroom. The maids were already outside, clattering about as they arranged my belongings. I ignored them, slipping into the bath, letting the warm water soothe my frustrations. The thought of dining with my new “family” did little to improve my mood. Sarcasm dripped from my thoughts as I wondered what delightful conversations awaited me at breakfast.

—

Once I was dressed, a maid escorted me to the dining hall, and my breath caught slightly as I took in the grand space. The hall was much larger than anything at House Vallen, with towering windows that bathed the room in golden light. The decor was exquisite, even more opulent than I had imagined.

Aleron and his parents were already seated at the table, engaged in conversation, their voices light and relaxed. None of them noticed my arrival at first, and I took a moment to observe the scene—Aleron looked every bit the prince, composed and regal, his features unreadable as he spoke with his parents. No food had been served yet, which meant they were waiting for me.

I approached and offered a formal bow. “Good morning, Your Majesty, the King. Good morning, Your Majesty, the Queen,” I greeted, keeping my voice steady.

Aleron’s gaze snapped toward me, his expression hardening when I added, “Good morning, His Highness, the Crown Prince.” I could see the tension in his jaw as he clenched his teeth. He had made it clear earlier that he didn’t want me to use formalities, but I was determined to keep some distance between us, even if only through titles.

The King beamed at me, his handsome face glowing with warmth. “Ah, our lovely Lucian is here,” he said cheerfully, waving me closer.

The Queen smiled softly, her eyes kind. “No need for formalities, Lucian,” she said. “Please, just call us father and mother when we are in a family setting like this.”

“Yes, exactly,” the King added with a chuckle. “We’re family now. Father and mother will do just fine.”

I forced a smile and replied, “Yes, Father. Yes, Mother.” Their warmth was almost overwhelming, and while I appreciated their acceptance, I couldn’t shake the unease that still gnawed at me.

As I took my seat, I could feel Aleron’s eyes boring into me from across the table, but I refused to meet his gaze. I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of acknowledging whatever thoughts were running through his mind. 

The King signaled a servant, who quickly moved to bring out the breakfast. As the plates were set before us, I was grateful for the distraction—anything to avoid further tension with Aleron. I hadn’t eaten since yesterday, and hunger gnawed at my stomach. I’d need my strength for whatever lay ahead in this new chapter of my life.

The breakfast was set before us—platters of fruits, freshly baked bread, pastries, and a variety of dishes prepared with the finest ingredients the palace kitchens could offer. Yet, despite the beauty and abundance of the meal, I felt my appetite wane in the presence of Aleron and his parents.

I forced myself to focus as the King began speaking, his voice rich and lively.

“So, Lucian,” the King started, his smile never faltering, “now that you’re a part of the royal family, how are you finding palace life so far?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat, knowing my words had to be carefully measured. “It’s certainly different from what I’m used to, Your Maj—” I caught myself before continuing, “Father. It will take some adjusting, but I’m grateful for the warm reception.”

The Queen nodded in approval. “We’re glad to hear that, dear. This palace is your home now, and we hope you’ll grow comfortable here in time. But don’t feel pressured—everyone has their own pace.”

I offered a tight-lipped smile, appreciating her attempt at kindness. But there was no mistaking the underlying expectation that I would eventually conform to this new life, whether I liked it or not.

Aleron remained silent across from me, his gaze fixed on his plate as if the conversation didn’t concern him. His aloofness gnawed at me, but I refused to be the one to break the silence between us. After last night’s argument, I wasn’t in the mood to even look at him, let alone engage him.

The Queen noticed the tension and subtly tried to ease it. “Lucian, do you enjoy riding? We have some of the finest horses in the empire here in the royal stables. Perhaps you and Aleron could take a ride together one morning?” she suggested, her eyes flicking between the two of us.

Aleron finally spoke, his tone clipped as he cut into a piece of fruit. “Lucian and I have a number of matters to attend to in the coming days. I’m sure we’ll find time for leisure eventually, Mother.”

I could feel his words were more of a dismissal than an invitation to spend time together. His subtle coldness irritated me, but I managed to keep my composure.

“I’ve never been particularly fond of riding,” I replied politely, turning my attention back to the Queen. “But I appreciate the offer. Perhaps one day, when time allows.”

The King leaned forward, his eyes twinkling with curiosity. “You’ll have to tell us more about your hobbies, Lucian. What keeps you busy when you’re not attending to matters of the court or estate?”

I blinked, momentarily caught off guard. No one had ever really asked about my hobbies, at least not in this way. In my old life, my duties and obligations came first, and anything else was a distant second.

“I enjoy reading,” I said, my voice tentative as I glanced at the King. “Mostly history and philosophy. And when I find the time, I like to paint. It’s a quiet hobby, but it helps me unwind.”

The Queen’s face lit up. “How wonderful! Perhaps we can show you some of the royal gallery, or even arrange for you to paint in the gardens. They’re quite serene this time of year.”

“That sounds lovely,” I said, though my mind was still preoccupied with Aleron’s coldness. His parents were warm and welcoming, yet he sat across from me as though I didn’t exist. The contrast between their demeanor and his made the situation all the more awkward.

The conversation shifted as the King spoke again, this time directing his words toward Aleron. “We’ve received word from the western provinces. There’s been unrest in the outer villages. You’ll need to address that soon, Aleron.”

Aleron nodded, his expression hardening into something more focused. “I’ll meet with the council later this afternoon, Father. We’ll devise a plan to handle it before it escalates.”

The Queen chimed in, her tone more cautious. “It’s your first real challenge since your marriage, Aleron. Perhaps it’s time to involve Lucian in some of these matters, to show him the ropes. After all, the two of you will be leading together one day.”

I tensed at the suggestion. Aleron glanced at me, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Lucian and I… have different approaches to things,” he said, his voice laced with irritation. “I’m sure he’ll find his own way to be useful in the palace.”

His words stung more than I expected, and I couldn’t stop the defensive retort from slipping past my lips. “I may not have experience leading an empire, but I’m not completely useless, Aleron.”

Aleron’s eyes flicked toward me, his face a mask of indifference. “I never said you were useless. Just inexperienced.”

The tension at the table grew palpable, and I could sense the King and Queen exchanging uneasy glances.

“I’m sure Lucian will adapt quickly,” the Queen interjected, her voice soft and placating. “It’s only been a day, after all.”

Aleron’s lips pressed into a thin line, but he said nothing further. I could feel the anger simmering beneath his cool exterior, and I didn’t know why. Was it because I wasn’t the submissive spouse he had expected? Because I dared to push back, even in subtle ways?

As the servants began to clear the plates, I could sense that the meal was drawing to a close, much to my relief. The King turned to me one final time.

“Lucian, if there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask. We want you to feel at home here.”

I nodded, my voice steady despite the turmoil in my chest. “Thank you, Father. I appreciate it.”

The formalities concluded, and we all rose from the table. Aleron brushed past me without a word, his posture rigid as he made his way toward the door. His parents followed more slowly, with the Queen offering me one last smile before they left.

As soon as they were gone, the weight of the morning settled over me like a suffocating blanket. My appetite had been ruined, and my brief respite from the tension with Aleron had vanished.

I stood in the empty dining hall, feeling more alone than ever.

—

I decided to return to my chambers to gather my thoughts. I needed to breathe, to process the mounting frustrations. But as I reached the door, I didn’t expect to find Aleron still inside, getting dressed for the day’s meetings and duties. I had assumed he’d already left, especially since I’d lingered in the dining hall far longer than necessary.

The moment I closed the door, his gaze snapped toward me. The silence that followed was oppressive, thick with the tension of last night’s unresolved argument. It hung between us like a wall, and neither of us seemed willing to break through it. The air itself felt cold, stifling. Finally, Aleron was the one to shatter the silence.

“Ben cannot come to the palace,” he said flatly, without so much as looking up from the cufflinks he was fastening.

I froze, his words igniting an immediate flare of disbelief. What does he mean Ben can’t come to the palace? What gives him the right to dictate this to me?

“What do you mean Ben cannot be allowed in the palace?” I asked, my voice already rising, anger bubbling beneath the surface. “Need I remind you, Aleron, that I am your husband now? I have just as much right as you in this palace, and Ben is my personal butler—someone I trust. Why would you tell me he isn’t allowed?”

Aleron let out an exhausted sigh, as though I were a burden he could no longer tolerate. His calm, dismissive demeanor only fueled the fire inside me. “That’s final,” he muttered, his tone implying that any further discussion was beneath him.

I could feel my pulse racing, the anger surging uncontrollably through my veins. “Ben is coming into this palace whether you like it or not!” I snapped, clenching my fists, refusing to back down. I wasn’t going to let him bully me into submission, not about this.

Aleron’s jaw tightened, and he finally looked up at me, frustration clear on his face. “You know what? I’m tired. I’m tired of the constant arguments, of you being so stubborn and refusing to listen to a damn thing I say!” His voice rose with every word, the cracks in his composure showing. “I’m trying to create something here,a bond but you keep pulling away!”

I laughed bitterly, shaking my head in disbelief. “A bond? What you want isn’t a bond, Aleron. What you want is control. You want me to bend to your every whim, to be the compliant, obedient partner you expect. Why can’t you see that? Why can’t you just let me have Ben here? Why are you so intent on taking away the one person I can rely on? Just give me one good reason!”

Aleron’s eyes flickered with something guilt? but it was gone as quickly as it came. His expression hardened, and he turned back to his attire. “I don’t have time for this. My decision is final. I have council meetings to attend. Get used to the palace. You’re not needed at today’s meetings.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. The coldness in his voice, the utter lack of care, it broke something in me. “Aleron, don’t you dare walk away from this!” My voice cracked, the pain seeping through despite my best efforts to keep it at bay. Why was he doing this to me? Did he enjoy seeing me suffer? Was that his goal?

He paused at the door, his back still turned to me, his silence unbearable.

“You say I’m stubborn, that I don’t listen to you,” I continued, my voice trembling with the weight of everything unsaid. “But how can I, Aleron? When all you do is shut me down? You don’t want to build a relationship! you want to control me. You want me to break. And I’m telling you now, whether you like it or not, Ben is coming to this palace, with or without your permission.”

I could feel the tears welling up, but I swallowed them back, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing me fall apart. I wouldn’t let him know just how deeply he had hurt me. I wouldn’t give him that power.

Aleron’s shoulders slumped, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of something in his expression—regret, perhaps? He turned slightly, his eyes softening as if he realized the damage his words had done. He moved toward me, his hand outstretched as if to offer some form of comfort, but I recoiled, stepping back.

“Don’t,” I whispered, the word heavy with finality.

He hesitated, then lowered his hand, letting it fall to his side. Without another word, he left the room, the door closing behind him with a dull thud.

I stood there for a moment, staring at the door, the ache in my chest growing unbearable. I couldn’t stay here. I couldn’t let him see me like this.

So I left. I walked, my steps quick and aimless, until I found a dark, secluded corner of the palace, far from the prying eyes of the servants or the advisors who might witness my weakness. I sank to the floor, burying my face in my hands, and for the first time since this nightmare began, I let the tears fall.

I sobbed quietly, the weight of everything crashing down on me. The marriage I never wanted. The husband who seemed intent on making my life a living hell. The suffocating loneliness of being trapped in a palace where no one, not even my own husband, seemed to care about my happiness. I felt like a prisoner in this gilded cage, shackled by expectations and duty.

I cried until the pain dulled, until the tears slowed and I was left feeling hollow, exhausted. Things wouldn’t get better, I knew that. But at least, for a brief moment, I had let some of the burden slip away, even if just a little.

In the silence of that dark corner, I made a vow to myself. I wouldn’t let Aleron or anyone else break me. I would fight for myself, for the things that mattered to me. And if he thought he could control me, he was sorely mistaken.