Entwind Fates：The Princess and The Blood King

The carriage rocked gently as it rolled down the dusty road, its wheels creaking in protest. Princess Alina stared out the window, her hands tightly clenched in her lap. The sun was setting, casting a warm golden light over the surrounding fields, but she found no comfort in the scenery. Her heart was heavy with dread; this was not a journey she had chosen, but one she was forced to make.

Ever since she was a child, Alina had heard tales of the ruthless King Kael, the so-called "Blood King" of the enemy nation, a man whose cruelty knew no bounds. It was said that he had executed all his previous brides, each one more brutally than the last. Now, she was being sent as his next bride—a pawn in a fragile truce between their warring kingdoms.

Her father, King Alden, had insisted that this was the only way to secure peace. "The kingdom needs this, Alina," he had said, his voice lined with desperation. "We cannot afford another war. You must be strong, for all of us."

But as the towering gates of the enemy's capital came into view, Alina's resolve began to waver. She was entering the lion's den, alone and unarmed, with nothing but her wit to protect her. The closer they got, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. The air itself seemed heavy, filled with the whispers of unseen threats.

The procession came to a halt before the massive iron gates, which groaned open to reveal the foreboding silhouette of the royal palace beyond. Flanked by rows of stoic guards, Alina took a deep breath and stepped out of the carriage. The cold air bit at her cheeks, and she pulled her cloak tighter around her slender frame.

A court official greeted her with a perfunctory bow. "Her Highness Princess Alina of Veloria, welcome to the kingdom of Castary," he announced in a voice devoid of warmth. Without waiting for her response, he turned on his heel, leading her through the palace gates.

The interior of the palace was as cold and unwelcoming as its exterior. Black marble columns rose high into the shadows, and the flickering torchlight cast ominous shadows along the stone walls. Alina kept her chin high, refusing to let the intimidation seep into her bones. She was a princess, after all. She had been trained for this.

Finally, they arrived at a set of heavy wooden doors. "His Majesty awaits," the official said before opening the doors with a loud creak.