◆ Sienna ◆

I sit quietly at the table, focusing on the clink of silverware against fine china. My father and Kaidan dominate the conversation, their voices rising and falling with excitement.

“...and then, if you can believe it, the bear actually yielded!” Kaidan’s warm laughter fills the room. “I’ve never seen anything like it. The skill of our beastmasters is truly remarkable.”

My father leans forward, clearly enthralled.”Fascinating! And you say this is a common occurrence in Galilea?”

I push the roasted pheasant around my plate, the rich aroma that once would have made my mouth water now making my stomach turn. Every bite is a struggle, my mind too preoccupied with my impending deadline.

“Oh, yes,” Kaidan continues, his eyes alight with pride. “Our warriors forge deep bonds with the creatures of our land. It’s more than just control—it’s mutual respect.”

The snippet of their conversation catches my attention. Kaidan describes a training exercise, his hands moving animatedly as he speaks. 

“The recruits are blindfolded, you see,” he explains. “They must navigate a treacherous course using only other senses and the guidance of their animal companions. It builds trusts, hones instincts.”

Despite myself, I find myself intrigued.

What would it be like? To have that kind of connection with another living being? To trust so completely?

“Sienna?”

I blink, realizing my mother has been trying to get my attention. “I’m sorry, what was that?”

“I asked if you were feeling alright, dear,” she says, concern etching lines around her eyes. “You’ve hardly touched your food.”

I force a smile, hoping it doesn’t look as brittle as it feels. “Just excitement for tomorrow, I suppose. It seems to have robbed me of my appetite.”

My father beams at my words, clearly pleased by what he perceives as enthusiasm for the upcoming nuptials. 

If only he knew.

The dinner seems to stretch on endlessly, each moment an eternity as I wait for my chance to slip away. Finally, after what feels like hours, the last of the dessert plates are cleared away. As everyone begins to rise, exchanging pleasantries and goodnights, my heart rises to my throat. 

This is it. I just need to make it to the crafting room and—

“Princess Sienna,” Kaidan’s deep voice cuts through my thoughts. “May I escort you to your quarters?”

Damn it. Of all times for him to be a gentleman…

I nod, not trusting to be able to keep my voice steady. With my hands interlocked in front of me and my head slightly bowed, I guide him out of the dining hall. As we begin our walk, I’m acutely aware that we’re heading in the opposite direction of the crafting room. Every step feels like another nail in the coffin of my carefully laid plans.

We walk in silence for a few minutes, the soft sound of our footsteps echoing off the stone walls. Then Kaidan speaks, his voice gentle.

“You seem rather withdrawn this evening,” he says. “Is everything alright?”

I keep my eyes downcast, every-so-often glancing up at the empty hall that seems to stretch out before us. “I’m just tired. It’s been a long day.”

Then, suddenly, Kaidan’s hand on my arm brings me to a stop. When I look up at him, I see a knowing glint in his eyes that makes my blood run cold.

“It’s about the ceremony, isn’t it?” he asks softly.

I tense, unable to hide my reaction. Kaidan sighs, then gently turns me to face him fully.

“Sienna, I’ve been thinking about what you said earlier. About the… public nature of our union.” His is low, meant only for my ears. “I want you to know that I’m willing to compromise.”

I blink, caught off guard by this unexpected turn. “What do you mean?”

Kaidan’s eyes search my face with an earnest expression on his own. “I understand that our cultures have different expectations. And while I have no obligation to change our traditions, I want to be respectful of your wishes.” He pauses, seemingly gathering his thoughts. “What if we reduced the ceremony to include only the most important members of the tribe? A handful of people instead of hundreds.”

For a moment, I’m tempted to snap at him. 

How is that supposed to make it better?

But as I look into his eyes, I see genuine concern there.

He’s really trying…

“I… I appreciate that, Kaidan,” I say slowly. “It would be an improvement.”

Relief washes over his features. “I’m glad. I want you to be comfortable, Sienna. This union, it’s not just about politics or tradition. I want us to build something real together.”

His words strike a chord within me, and for a moment, I allow myself to imagine a different future. One where I’m not trapped, where this marriage could be a partnership rather than a cage.

But then reality crashes back in. My dreams, my identity as an alchemist—I can’t give those up. Not even for the promise of a kind husband.

We resume our walk, and Kaidan fills the silence with stories of Galilea—the sweeping vistas, the vibrant markets, the laughter of children playing in the streets. His voice is warm, painting a picture so vivid I can almost see it.

When we reach my bedroom, Kaidan takes my hand, his touch gentle. “Sienna,” he says softly, “I know this isn’t easy. Change never is. But I want you to know that I’m committed to making this work. To being a good husband to you. It’s the greatest things I can do.”

He brings my hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to my knuckles. “I look forward to being your provider, your protector, and your partner in all things.”

The sincerity in his voice makes my heart ache. “Goodnight, Kaidan,” I manage, my voice barely above a whisper.

As soon as the door closes behind me, I lean against it, letting a shaky breath out. Guilt washes over me like a tidal wave. Kaidan is trying so hard, and here I am, plotting to throw it all away.

Maybe I should just give it up…

But then I look around my room—at the laden with alchemical texts, at the small workbench in the corner where I’ve spent countless hours experimenting and creating. This is who I am. Not just a princess, not just a future wife, but an alchemist with the potential to change the world.

I can’t just give this up.

I move through my evening routine in a daze, shedding my formal dinner attire and sinking into the steaming bath prepared for me. The hot water envelops me, and I close my eyes, trying to center myself. Around me, candles flicker, their warm light dancing across the walls. Even with all our technological advancements, we alchemists still cling to these elemental touchstones. Fire, water, earth, air—they ground us, connect us to the very essence of our craft.

As I soak, I can almost feel the energy of the island itself thrumming through me. The fire of the candles, the water cradling my body, the minerals dissolved in the bath—all of it speaks to something deep within my soul. 

This connection, this harmony with the elements, is what I’m fighting for.

It’s who I am.

Eventually, I pull myself from the bath, my skin flushed and pruned. I dress quickly in practical clothes—pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy boots. Over it all, I throw a dark cloak, pulling the hood up to shadow my face.

Before I can leave, I pause in front of my mirror. The girl—no, the woman—staring back at me is a stranger. Gone is the perfectly coiffed princess, replaced by someone wilder, more determined. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what’s to come.

“Once you do this,” I whisper to my reflection, “there’s no going back. You might never see this room again. You might not even survive the night.”

But the alternative—a life, half-lived, my power and potential slowly withering away—is unthinkable. Even if Kaidan would be a kind husband, even if Galilea could become a home, it would never be enough. Not when I know what I’m capable of.

Not being alive is better than being alive and not being able to live.

…

And if I survive this, I’ll be strong enough to protect my people from the Reaper. We won’t live in fear anymore.

With one last, lingering look at my bedroom—at the life I’m leaving behind—I slip out into the darkened hallway.

My heart pounds as I make my way through the castle, ducking into alcoves and behind tapestries whenever I hear the approaching footsteps of guards. Years of sneaking out to the crafting room have made me adept at avoiding being caught, but never have the stakes been so high before.

Finally, I reach my destination. The heavy oak door of the crafting room looms before me. With trembling hands, I pull out a piece of chalk and begin to draw the alchemist’s lock on the door—an intricate rune that only someone of my bloodline can break. Even my father would struggle to undo it. 

As I complete the final line, the rune glows faintly before fading into the wood. I take a breath and push the door open, slipping inside.

The familiar scent of sulfur and metal wash over me as I close the door behind me. I make my way to the hidden compartment, the pendant cool against my palm as I press it into the concealed slot. The mechanisms whir and click, revealing my secret work.

As I stare down at carefully arranged components—the raw lead, the philosophical mercury, the precisely drawn transmutation circle—I can feel my heart in my throat, my anxiety numbing my fingertips. 

So many died doing this… Can I really pull this off?

For a moment, doubt creeps in. If I fail, it won’t just be my life on the line. The Brotherhood will come for my father and for all of Bethel. Everything and everyone I love could be destroyed because of my actions tonight.

But then I think of all of the life that awaits me if I don’t try. A glided cage, my power potential slowly suffocating under the expectations of Galilea’s people. Kaidan’s kindness and his attempts at compromise simply aren’t enough to outweigh the loss of my true self.

I’ve come too far to back out now.

“It’s now or never,” I whisper to myself, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart.

With steady hands, I begin to arrange the components, every movement precise, every placement exact. The fate of everything I know hangs in the balance.

I’m ready.