Golden light filled the grand banquet hall of the Gravewood estate. Soft music played, harps and violins weaving a melody of celebration. The tables overflowed with wine, crystal glasses, and exquisite dishes prepared to honor the union of two powerful families.

This was the celebration after the wedding.

The patriarchs of two great clans of the Dravaryn Kingdom were present, Rowel Bloomward of House Bloomward and Zareth Vilethorn of House Vilethorn. They sat among high-ranking figures and wealthy merchants.

People laughed, glasses touched, and warm greetings were exchanged all around. Yet at the center of it all, Evandria Gravewood sat still.

She wore a ceremonial blue gown, more elegant than anything she had ever worn before. Her blue hair was adorned with silver ornaments, her beauty drawing countless glances. But her eyes were empty.

Beside her sat her husband Elion Goldleaf.

He wore a crisp black shirt with a high collar. A long black coat draped over his shoulders, adorned with delicate golden embroidery that shimmered beneath the chandeliers. A jeweled brooch rested at his collar, while his perfectly pressed trousers, polished boots, and black gloves completed his dignified presence.

He sat straight and composed, his posture flawless. His black hair fell neatly over his forehead, his cold blue eyes calmly observing the hall. He spoke only when someone spoke to him, and even then his replies were short and measured.

The nobles admired his dignity, merchants respected his power, and to some, he was unsettling in a way they couldn’t explain.

A nobleman leaned closer to his companion and said, “So that’s Elion Goldleaf from Aurelith, whose estate is on our kingdom’s border.”

The other nodded slowly, his eyes on Elion. “Yeah, though it’s my first time seeing him. Even Dravaryn is said to think twice before crossing him.”

The Goldleaf estate was located in the Aurelith Kingdom, on the border with the Dravaryn Kingdom. Though both kingdoms were equal in terms of land, what set Aurelith apart was its trade market. Nearly every neighboring kingdom sought good relations with Aurelith, knowing that when they needed coin, Aurelith would be the first they turned to. And that was exactly why Balthar had agreed to this marriage. An alliance with one of the wealthiest merchants in Aurelith was an opportunity too valuable to pass up.

“That kind of influence at his age…”

“Some men are simply born to stand above others.”

“And he is quite handsome.”

“Mm… the bride is fortunate.”

The guests chatted among themselves, some speaking openly, others in low voices. But Evandria heard none of it. Her hands rested in her lap, fingers tightly clasped together. 

So this is it. A celebration for a marriage I never wanted.

She glanced sideways. Elion hadn’t looked at her even once since they entered the hall. 

Does he even see me as a person? Or am I just another alliance… another advantage to him?

***

Across the hall, Balthar Gravewood laughed loudly with the visiting nobles, then announced in a proud voice, “The Gravewood and the Goldleaf families are now bound.”

The sound of applause echoed throughout the hall, and Evandria flinched as she felt the weight of someone’s gaze on her. She slowly lifted her eyes and found Elion watching her. Not with cruelty, but with a quiet, unreadable stillness, as though he were observing something far too fragile to touch.

Their eyes met for a brief moment. Then Elion looked away. Evandria’s chest tightened, as if something had slipped through her fingers. Before she could stop herself, she spoke. Her voice was low, sharp, meant only for him. “Congratulations. You got what you paid for.”

Elion’s eyes flicked toward her.

“You probably think you own me now,” she continued, her voice trembling with restrained fury. “But remember this. I will never love you.”

Her fingers clenched the fabric of her dress. Her gaze hardened. “You’re an evil person. I doubt anyone has ever loved you.”

For a moment, Elion said nothing. Then, a soft sound escaped him. 

“Tch. It doesn’t matter to me. Whether you love me or not.” He spoke in a cold voice, then looked away.

Hearing that, Evandria felt something sink deep inside her chest.

***

At a quieter corner of the banquet hall, three men stood together, partially hidden by towering pillars and flowing curtains. They were the patriarchs of three of the six great clans of the Dravaryn Kingdom.

Balthar Gravewood.

Zareth Vilethorn.

Rowel Bloomward.

A smirk played at the corner of Zareth Vilethorn’s lips, his green eyes sharp and calculating. His long green hair swept neatly to one side, just brushing his brow; the rest was pulled back, clean and controlled.

“Your fortune is truly remarkable. To think, you gained a son-in-law from the Aurelith Kingdom. And not just any… but one with such a reputation.”

Zareth paused, then added casually, “But tell me something, Balthar. I heard you were planning to marry your daughter into House Usher. So why did you suddenly choose the Goldleaf family from Aurelith instead?”

Balthar met his gaze, then replied evenly. “We are noble families. We must always think about what is good for us, and what is not. Besides… he was the one who came here and asked for this alliance. He placed conditions. Terms so calculated… that I could not refuse.”

Zareth let out a quiet chuckle. “Yeah, yeah. And it’s also good for you, isn’t it?” The way he spoke, it felt deliberate, as if he were pointing at something unspoken, trying to provoke Balthar into revealing more.

But Balthar said nothing. His silence and the cold gleam in his blue eyes alone answered Zareth.

Rowel Bloomward, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke, trying to ease the tension. “Well. The Goldleaf name is the most reputable in all of Aurelith. But… I heard some rumors about your son-in-law. That his first wife bore the weight of his fury daily. That she never knew a day without pain.”

“Not only that,” he continued, lowering his voice, “I also heard that he is the one who killed her.”

Balthar remained silent for a moment, then he spoke in a calm voice. “I don’t think so, because no one knows what she looked like.”

“Then isn’t that exactly why the rumors might be true? Because he kept her hidden. He did not even let her step outside.”

Balthar turned his gaze toward Evandria and Elion. “They are only rumors. And whether they are true or not… it doesn’t matter.”

Zareth raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at his lips. “Really? It doesn’t matter to you… even after you lost your first daughter?”

Balthar met his gaze slowly. “Yes. It was unfortunate that I lost her.”

Silence settled between them. The three patriarchs stood facing one another while laughter and music filled the hall around them.