Prologue

Prince Kieran sat in the grand hall of the castle, his eyes fixated on the door, awaiting the arrival of Rhaella who had been chosen as his potential spouse. He had been forced into this arranged marriage, a prospect he resented deeply. Bound by his duties, he must marry her.

A fleeting curiosity crossed his mind, wondering what Rhaella thought of him. However, as quickly as the thought arose, it dissipated without much concern. What did it matter what Rhaella thought of him?

When Rhaella finally entered the room, Prince Kieran could not help but let out an involuntary sigh. The moment their eyes met, his face contorted into a frown, unable to hide his disappointment. The longer he stares, the worse his expression became; Prince Kieran clearly could not hide the disdain that had formed on his smug face.

Rhaella was not what Prince Kieran expected. Rhaella's appearance was far from the lavish exquisiteness he was accustomed to. She was draped in a plain gown, its fabric whispering of modesty rather than opulence, while her accessories, understated and unassuming, only served to dim her radiance further. Her face served as a jest to the rumors that surrounded her. Maybe it was the fact that she had been locked away from public eyes that sparked those rumors. Her face was nothing but ordinary. With eyes that spoke of tiredness and lips that exhibited no color, her entire complexion was pale, as if she had been starved. The corset hugged her body in a way it was disturbing.

Sure, Rhaella was way different from the crowd he had seen before, but he was not impressed. Especially when he had heard rumors about how pretty the person he was going to marry, but now, he found those rumors to be false.

He got up from his chair, taking calculated steps towards the marriage candidate his parents handpicked for him.

"So, you're the one my parents picked for me to marry, hm? I must say I am disappointed at first sight." He voiced his thoughts without hesitation, said with an expression that resembled disgust as he started to walk around Rhaella.

Her voice timid and shaking under his scrutiny meekly questioned; "It seems as though your highness is disappointed in my looks, which is understandable. However, I have to confirm, is that an indication that this marriage will not be happening?"

Prince Kieran continued his perusal, his eyes darting from one part of Rhaella to another. She seemed to be genuinely taken aback by his blunt assessment, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes cast downwards.

The sight of her vulnerability and humility only served to further irritate him. He had no desire to console or comfort her; it was not in his nature to be kind. Instead, he decided to rub salt into the wound, "Yes, this marriage will not be happening. I would never accept such an... undesirable match."

He spoke the words with absolute finality, his tone leaving. He remained standing, as if waiting for her to leave. The idea of being bound to someone so ordinary and uninteresting was beyond his comprehension. He could not bear the thought of having to endure the presence of this woman, who failed to meet even the most basic of his standards.

As he awaited Rhaella's response, Prince Kieran unconsciously twirled his ring, his mind already focused on how he could inform his parents of this development. He knew they would not be pleased, but he was determined to make them understand that he refused to be bound by such a union.

"Your Highness, I appreciate your honesty. Please notify me when the arrangements have been canceled." Her voice was polite, but the time held underlying emotion the prince was unable to catch.

Rhaella bowed once, retreating to the path she came from, not sparing another glance at the Prince. Once outside, the guards closed the door.

She glanced ahead, a sigh of relief leaving her lips before a grin stretched across her face.

She raised her head, tearing the mask of timidness she wore as she trudged forward with confidence. The sound of her footsteps echoing in the grand hall as she departed. Her hands raised, pinching the pin that held her hair together. Her hair came undone, flowing down to rest against her hips, freedom from their confines. She ran a hand through her hair, adjusting it.

Her fingers then tugged at the string that held her corset together, untying the death grip it had. She almost moaned as the corset loosened, letting her properly breath.

Her eyes wandered, trying to find her personal maid. The cosmetics she wore on her face were beginning to dry out, claiming her face, she didn't like that.

She approached the back garden, where her maid, Luna sat, petting her Eagle. She squatted beside them, splashing the cold water on her face. Rubbing away the substances that were beginning to burn into her skin.

"What did you put on my face, Luna?" She mumbled, extending her hand. Luna passed her a piece of cloth. She wiped her face, the blackness around her to mimic weary eyes going first. Then, she wiped her face clean until she made sure none of the substances was left.

"You cannot blame me when you had me arrange this all under such short notice, my lady." Luna complained, handing her another nakin.

Luna was skilled in the witchcraft of cosmetics. She had made a perfectly healthy looking Rhaella into a famished, neglected looking prisoner.

However, one thing Luna always refused to do was use cosmetics guaranteed to be safe. She always does everything from scratch. Sometimes, they proved to be amazing remedies, sometimes, like now, it could possibly burn someone's face off.

"So?" Luna urged teasingly, raising an eyebrow. Even the eagle turned its head as if in enquiry, eager to hear its master's reply.

A satisfied grin stretched across her face, her face now rid of the artificial chemicals and skilled work of her maid, represented that of an otherworldly being. Her eyes the color of forest and emerald, hidden from the sight of the prince now enthusiastically gazed at her maid. She nodded, smiling so widely that her canine teeth showed.

Her maid giggled, happy to hear that her hours of effort to make her lady appear unattractive had paid off. She felt a surge of triumph, the grin that spread across her face betraying the excitement she felt.

Rhaella mirrored Luna's expression. This meant she could return to her simple life, free from the weight of an unwanted marriage.

Despite the abrupt end to her visit, she felt a sense of lightness, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Now, she could focus on the life and plans she had before the unexpected and unwanted letter she received from the empress, requesting her presence in the palace as a marriage candidate for her beloved son.

However, what she didn't notice was the eyes watching her every movement, burning with confusion and rage.