A Gift

~Katrina~

I didn't want to smile at Prince Elvin, but I did, just to get under the king's skin. He'd made me feel like a fool last night, so now it was his turn.

"I was hoping to have a private conversation with my future husband," I said, casting a quick glance at King Karl.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his expression unreadable, though his glare at Elvin made it clear he didn't like this one bit.

"Really?" King Karl asked, his tone cool.

"Yes, Your Highness," I replied with a polite curtsy, keeping my smile.

"It's bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other before the ceremony… isn't that right, Rowland?" King Karl asked, waiting for his friend to back him up.

Rowland hesitated, clearly caught off guard, but then nodded. "Yes. I've heard it many times."

I glanced over at Marissa, who stood silently behind me. When I looked to her for support, she also nodded, agreeing with the king. Was it true, or were they just going along with his game?

"I don't know much about customs," Prince Elvin finally spoke up, "but I believe the king is right."

My heart dropped. This was my chance to speak with Elvin about the marriage, maybe even convince him to back out or free me after the wedding.

I didn't want to be his wife. I just wanted my freedom, and Elvin was my only hope… if only King Karl would stop interfering.

"Good," King Karl said, satisfaction flickering in his eyes. "One of you should leave, then."

Before I could suggest I be the one to go, Prince Elvin bowed and walked off without a word.

I watched him leave, feeling trapped all over again. I wanted to call him back, but I knew I couldn't. One wrong move, and I'd be at the mercy of the king's anger—and that was a risk I couldn't afford.

"There's a dance tonight. Are you going to be there?" King Karl asked, his tone casual.

I looked at him, struggling to keep my composure. "How can you act like nothing happened last night? How can you act so… normal, King Karl?"

He didn't apologize, didn't offer any reason for hiding the wedding plans from me. It was clear—I didn't matter to him.

"What happened last night?" He tilted his head, genuinely acting confused, glancing around as though he expected Rowland to chime in, but Rowland stayed silent.

"You forgot about it," I laughed, feeling the sting in my eyes as I fought back tears. I refused to break down in front of him. "Don't you think you owe me some kind of explanation?"

He frowned, his face cold. "I don't owe you any explanations, Princess Katrina. I've had a bad day—don't make it worse."

Before I could say another word, he turned and strode past me. I was left stunned, trying to make sense of the change in him.

How could he go from being so tender last night to this... this stranger?

Regret clawed at me. I wished I hadn't let him kiss me, hadn't given in for even a moment.

My heart felt heavier the more I thought about him. I needed to stop imagining he was a good man. He wasn't.

I returned to my room, ignoring the celebration in the women's quarters. Instead, I lay on my bed, letting the tears I'd held back finally fall. Maybe this was my fate, and it was time I stopped fighting it.

Evening came quicker than I'd expected, as though some unseen force was eager to bind us together.

Women from the court brought in gifts for me—ornate boxes and silks.

Marissa explained they were part of the pre-wedding tradition, gifts from the groom's family. I wasn't expecting it, but somehow, it made everything feel more final.

"I hope you like it," Fortuna said, presenting me with her gift—a set of sparkling jewelry.

From the first glance, I could tell they were worth a fortune. She looked so pleased, so genuinely excited about my marriage to Prince Elvin.

To anyone watching, she might have seemed like my sister instead of the queen.

"Thank you," I forced myself to say, careful not to sound ungrateful. But none of these gifts mattered to me. All I wanted was my freedom. It seemed like a simple wish, but to me, it was everything.

"The king's gift is outside," one of the women announced.

"I'll see it later," I replied, not caring much for whatever he'd sent. But they insisted, practically dragging me outside.

There, waiting for me, was a white horse. I loved horses, but I had never told anyone here. How did he know? I hadn't shared this with anyone in Xylonia, not even Marissa.

"It's a horse," I murmured, trying to feign some kind of reaction before I turned to go back inside. But the women stopped me, gasping with surprise.

"You got a horse… from the king," they murmured in awe. Ignoring their whispers, I returned inside, slipping off my bangles with a sigh.

"It's just a horse. Why are they acting like it's a big deal?" I muttered.

"I don't think you understand, milady," Marissa said, taking the bangles from me and setting them aside carefully. She turned to face me, her eyes serious. "This isn't just any gift."

"What do you mean?" I looked at her, confused. To me, a horse was just a horse. I loved them, yes, but somehow, this one felt… complicated.

"No woman in Xylonia owns a horse," Marissa explained. "Women here aren't even allowed to. The king giving you a white horse… it makes you the first woman to have one. Even Queen Fortuna doesn't have a horse."

I stared, stunned. Women weren't allowed to own horses here? How absurd.

"So, the king gave this to me, not his queen?" I asked, surprised. "But why would he deny women horses in the first place?"

"They don't ride them either," Marissa replied. "They move in carriages. I think it ties back to that 'ride or die' game. It's hard to explain, but maybe you'll understand as you settle in. Maybe one day, you'll change it."

I laughed a little at her hope. "I doubt it."

"I don't know," she murmured thoughtfully. "The king seems… drawn to you. Since you came, he's acted differently. It's a shame you're marrying Prince Elvin."

I let out a small sigh, feeling the weight of this strange gift. "But why would he give me this horse? Why not Queen Fortuna or even a concubine? What is he trying to say?"

"I can't say for sure, milady. Maybe you should ask him tonight at the dance party?" she suggested.

"Good idea." I nodded, sinking onto the bed.

King Karl was becoming more of a mystery every day, and I needed answers soon.