Chapter 6: The Marriage of Duty

The council chamber was quieter than usual. Gone was the lively debate that typically filled the air—the clash of ideas, the murmur of advisors hashing out policies to secure Aether's future. Instead, a heavy solemnity hung in the room, thick with unspoken tension. The air felt still, as if the very walls held their breath. Nyx sat at the head of the long Spiritwood table, a simple dark tunic adorning his lean frame. His golden eyes, sharp and perceptive, studied the room with the quiet intensity that had become his trademark.

Across from him sat two of the kingdom's most influential figures: his uncle, Lord Caine, and Commander Alaric Celestria, a man whose mere presence commanded respect. Both men had been pillars of strength since the war's end, helping to guide Aether back from the brink of destruction. Yet today, their demeanor was different—graver, more deliberate.

Caine cleared his throat, the sound echoing in the vast chamber. His expression, usually warm, was serious. "Your Majesty!, I've served as your advisor for six years now," he began, his voice steady but laced with an undertone of something deeper—an emotion Nyx couldn't quite place. "In that time, we've rebuilt much of what was lost. We've secured peace, strengthened our borders, and brought Aether back from the brink. But there's one matter your parents entrusted to me before their deaths that I have yet to fulfill."

Nyx's brow furrowed, curiosity flickering across his face. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. "And what matter is that?" he asked, his voice calm but edged with suspicion.

Caine exchanged a glance with Alaric, an unspoken agreement passing between them. Finally, he spoke. "Your marriage."

The word seemed to hang in the air, heavier than any decree or judgment. For a moment, silence stretched, thick and unyielding. Chaos, lounging near the chamber's entrance, lifted his head, his golden eyes narrowing with faint curiosity as if sensing the weight of the conversation.

"My... marriage?" Nyx repeated, the words tasting foreign on his tongue.

"Yes," Caine confirmed, his tone gentle but firm. "Your parents believed that uniting our family with that of Commander Celestria's would fortify the kingdom. It was their wish, Nyx. Their last wish."

Nyx's gaze shifted to Alaric, who nodded solemnly. The commander was a formidable figure, his silver-streaked hair and battle-worn face a testament to years of service. Yet, there was a quiet sincerity in his eyes—a depth that softened his otherwise austere presence.

"Your Majesty," Alaric began, his deep voice steady and measured, "this was not a decision made lightly. My daughter, Lyra, is more than a capable healer. She is a woman of strength, wisdom, and compassion. She would not only stand beside you but also stand for Aether."

The weight of their words pressed against Nyx's chest. Marriage had always seemed a distant duty—something to be dealt with when the kingdom was secure and the scars of war had fully healed. Now, the reality of it loomed before him, tied irrevocably to the legacy of his parents and the future of his kingdom.

Nyx's eyes narrowed slightly, his voice low but steady. "And what does Lyra think of this arrangement?"

Alaric's expression softened, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "She knows. She has known for years. Lyra understands the responsibility this union carries. She has always been prepared for it."

Nyx's smirk was faint, but it didn't reach his eyes. He leaned forward, his fingers drumming lightly against the polished wood of the table. "Prepared for this? For what—being thrust into a marriage with a man she barely knows? A stranger bound by politics and duty?"

Alaric's chuckle surprised him. It was a warm, almost fatherly sound that cut through the tension. "You underestimate her, Your Majesty. My daughter is no stranger to duty or sacrifice. She's faced battles of her own, and I assure you, she will meet you as an equal." His eyes twinkled with something akin to amusement. "Whether or not you like it."

Chaos rumbled softly, the sound reverberating through the room. His golden eyes gleamed with a knowing light, as if he, too, understood the depth of Alaric's words.

Caine's tone softened, his gaze searching Nyx's face. "This isn't just about honoring your parents' wishes, Nyx. Lyra can be more than a political partner. You've carried the weight of this crown alone for too long. You need someone beside you—not just to fortify alliances, but to fortify yourself."

The words struck deeper than Nyx cared to admit. He looked down, his gaze tracing the intricate runes carved into the table's surface. His mind raced, thoughts tumbling over each other. Marriage. Responsibility. Legacy. These were more than just words—they were chains, binding him to a path he had not chosen, yet could not abandon.

The memory of his parents' faces flickered in his mind—their strength, their unwavering faith in him. The sacrifices they had made. Would this have been their wish? To see him tethered to a stranger for the sake of the kingdom?

He exhaled slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing, if only slightly. "And if I refuse?" he asked, though the question was more for himself than anyone else.

Alaric's eyes didn't waver. "Then you refuse. But understand this, Nyx: Lyra is not just a symbol. She is a person. And she will not be a passive figure in your story. She will challenge you, question you. Stand beside you, yes, but also stand against you if it means protecting what she believes in. That is the kind of strength Aether needs."

Nyx met Alaric's gaze, searching for any hint of deception, but found none. He looked back at Caine, whose expression was a mixture of hope and quiet resolve.

Finally, he leaned back, his eyes distant but focused. "I'll meet her," he said, his voice quiet but firm. "But I make no promises."

Caine nodded, relief flickering across his face. "That's all we ask."

Alaric rose, bowing deeply. "You may find, Your Majesty, that she's exactly what you didn't know you needed."

As the men left the chamber, Nyx sat in the silence they left behind, the weight of their words settling over him like a mantle. Chaos moved closer, resting his massive head beside Nyx's chair, his golden eyes watching him with a quiet understanding.

For the first time in years, Nyx felt the ground shifting beneath him—not with the force of battle, but with the uncertainty of a path he hadn't foreseen.

Later that afternoon, Nyx found himself wandering the palace gardens, the weight of the morning's revelations pressing heavily on his mind. The air was filled with the fragrance of blooming Spiritwood trees, their blossoms glowing faintly as if imbued with the magic of the realm itself. Sunlight filtered through the branches, casting dappled patterns on the gravel paths, but even the garden's tranquil beauty couldn't dispel his restlessness.

He paced along the winding paths, his boots crunching softly against the gravel, hands clasped behind his back. His thoughts churned, a chaotic mix of uncertainty and reluctant acceptance. The idea of an arranged marriage—a union decided long before he had any say—felt like a relic of a past he was still learning to honor. Duty, legacy, the kingdom's future—it all weighed on him like an iron mantle.

Behind him, Chaos followed with a languid grace, his immense form moving silently, muscles rippling beneath shimmering scales. The dragon sniffed occasionally at the clusters of delicate blossoms, his golden eyes scanning the surroundings with a casual alertness. Now and then, he would nudge Nyx gently with his snout, a reminder of his presence—a subtle encouragement to break free from the spiraling tangle of thoughts.

Nyx glanced at his dragon, raising an eyebrow. "I suppose you think this is amusing," he muttered, his voice carrying a hint of exasperation.

Chaos rumbled in response, a deep, resonant sound that seemed to vibrate through the very air around them. His golden eyes, filled with a timeless intelligence, glimmered with quiet humor. The dragon's expression—a slight tilt of the head, a narrowing of those luminous eyes—spoke volumes, a silent language Nyx had long since learned to understand. It was as though Chaos was saying, You overthink everything.

Nyx shook his head, a small, reluctant smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "You're enjoying this far too much."

Chaos huffed softly, the sound somewhere between a chuckle and a sigh. He lowered his head, nudging Nyx's shoulder once more, this time with a little more insistence. The gesture was comforting, a silent reminder that, despite the burdens of kingship, he was never truly alone.

Nyx's smile faded as his gaze drifted to the horizon, his thoughts turning inward once again. He knew what this arrangement meant for the kingdom—an alliance, a strengthening of bonds that could secure Aether's future. But the man beneath the crown, the boy who had lost so much, couldn't help but feel the weight of what was being asked of him.

Before Nyx could continue his brooding, the soft sound of footsteps on the gravel path reached his ears. He turned, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly as he saw her—Lyra, walking toward him with a quiet grace. Her silvery-blonde hair was tied back in a practical braid, a few loose strands framing her face. She wore a simple dress of pale green, the color of fresh spring leaves, accented with a belt of intricate crystal patterns that caught the light. There was an unassuming elegance to her, a calm confidence that seemed to radiate from within.

Beside her, Lexy moved with a fluid, almost ethereal grace. The Crystal Fury's scales shimmered like facets of a precious gem, refracting the afternoon sunlight into soft rainbows that danced across the ground. The dragon's wings, partially unfurled, gave the impression of a creature ready to take flight at a moment's notice, yet she walked with a serenity that mirrored her rider's.

Nyx inclined his head in greeting. "Lady Lyra," he said, his tone measured but polite.

"Your Majesty," Lyra replied, offering a small but respectful nod. Her voice was steady, carrying an undertone of strength that caught Nyx off guard.

As Chaos and Lexy regarded each other, their heads tilting in near-perfect unison, Nyx couldn't help but notice the quiet exchange of understanding between the dragons. It was as if they, too, recognized the significance of this meeting—a silent acknowledgment of the role they would play in the lives of their riders.

Nyx gestured toward a bench beneath one of the Spiritwood trees. "Shall we sit?"

Lyra nodded, her expression unreadable, and followed him to the bench. The silence that stretched between them was not awkward but filled with an unspoken weight, the rustling of leaves above them a gentle reminder of the world beyond this moment.

Finally, it was Lyra who broke the silence. "I understand this isn't exactly… conventional," she said, her voice calm but sincere. "But I want you to know that I'm not here because I was forced. My father may have made arrangements, but I made the decision to come."

Nyx studied her for a moment, his golden eyes searching for any hint of pretense or flattery. There was none. "Even knowing I might refuse?" he asked, his voice carrying a note of curiosity.

A small smile tugged at the corners of Lyra's lips. "Even then. I believe in Aether, Your Majesty. And I believe that we can do more together than apart."

Her words caught him off guard. There was a quiet conviction in her tone, a sincerity that reminded him of his mother's steady wisdom. It was unexpected—refreshing, even. This was not the meek, obedient noblewoman he had imagined; there was steel beneath her calm exterior.

"You don't know me," Nyx said, his voice softer now. "You don't know what I've done, or what I'm capable of."

Lyra met his gaze, her green eyes unwavering. "I know what you've endured. And I know the kind of king who visits the families of fallen soldiers—not because he has to, but because he chooses to. That tells me enough."

Her words struck a chord deep within him. Nyx blinked, momentarily at a loss for words. He hadn't expected such directness, nor the quiet strength she seemed to carry so effortlessly.

"Fair enough," he said finally, a faint, genuine smile playing at his lips.

Lyra mirrored his expression, and in that moment, the tension between them seemed to ease. It wasn't an alliance born of necessity or duty, but of mutual respect—a foundation, perhaps, for something more.

Chaos and Lexy exchanged a glance, their golden and crystalline eyes locking in a shared understanding that needed no words. The bond between dragons often reflected that of their riders, and in that brief moment of connection, Nyx felt a flicker of hope.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm, golden light across the garden, Nyx found himself thinking that perhaps, just perhaps, this arrangement might not be the burden he had imagined. There was a strength in Lyra that he hadn't anticipated, a quiet resilience that mirrored his own.

And for the first time in a long while, the weight on his shoulders felt a little lighter.