The Royal Castle, City of Messina

Year 103 of Leahra, Second Age

That the recently-crowned High King, Felix, was in love with the sorceress Isobel was probably the worst-kept secret in all of Erya. Shaeanne, Princess of Adreas, might have found the gossip titillating... had she not been about to become his wife. There are worse fates than an arranged marriage. Shae repeated the sentence as she watched the handsome man on the other side of the chamber. Her future husband.

She had no youthful dreams of a happily ever after. This marriage was little more than a business transaction; a political move on her father's part, and a necessity for the king. Newly ascended to the throne, he needed heirs, and for that one needed a wife. A queen. And her father was more than happy to offer her up, like she was no more than a trinket to be given as a tribute to the new High King.

Her eyes strayed to the greying figure of King Samon of Adreas. He'd aged a decade in the last few years, the war taking its toll not only in bodies and buildings but people's spirits as well. As usual, he paid her little heed, his attention on the members of the High Council and their discussions. They were probably arguing over her worth.

"How do you feel about this?"

The soft query surprised her, and she turned her head to find the new High King by her side. She hadn't noticed his approach. No one had asked her what she wanted for a long time and it took her a moment to find her voice.

"It matters little, Your Majesty." Keeping her voice demure, she bent low in a curtsy. Her mother had always encouraged her to be a proper lady, and while she'd often ignored her, she did remember most of what she'd been taught. People would believe she was a proper lady, even if it killed her.

Her beloved bow and arrows had been locked away in a storage chest, where they would remain indefinitely. She was about to become the High Queen of Erya. It was something that would have excited her mother—who had always observed her archery with a look of disapproval—and she was determined to make her proud. She couldn't bring her back, but she could do this. She would be the best queen she possibly could.

Felix watched her quietly, a line appearing between his brows. She could do worse for a husband. He was young and good-looking. Her father would not have hesitated to marry her off to some old codger if it meant gaining any perceived power.

"It should matter." He raked a hand through his golden-blond hair, a look of unease on his face. "I know this is an awkward situation. An arranged marriage is... never ideal. But there is little time for me to find a wife. There is so much to do with the rebuilding of not only the city of Messina, but all the kingdoms of Erya, and the members of the High Council all agree that—"

Her hand on his arm stopped his rushed monologue, and his green eyes met hers. "Do not worry," she said, hoping he could hear the conviction in her voice. "I understand. Your heart is not in this. How could it be? We do not know each other. This marriage will give my father the political clout he craves, and you will gain a wife of noble birth. Everyone wins."

"Except you," he said quietly. "That was an impressive speech, but nowhere in there did I hear you getting what you want."

She swallowed, trying to keep the grief from overwhelming her. When she spoke, her voice was calmer than expected. "My mother and brother are gone. They were killed when some of the Dark God's zealots raided our city while my father and most of our soldiers were gone. The only relative I have left is my father, and he does not know what to do with me. I know my mother would have approved of this match. This is what she always wanted for me, and I wish to honour that."

"I'm sorry for your loss." He reached out to touch her. His voice was solemn, sincere.

Taking a quick step back, out of his reach, she shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I—" She sighed. "Please, let's not talk about it."

He nodded, respecting her wishes, though she suspected he wanted to know more. She just couldn't say the words aloud yet. It was still too raw, and she didn't want to cry in front of her future husband. Had it not been for the heroism of one of their knights, she would have perished that night too. The attack had come while everyone slept, and the knight had freed her from her would-be captors and helped her find her bow and arrows before escorting her out of the burning city.

They remained quiet for a moment as she wrestled her feelings back into the dark recesses of her mind where she kept them buried. Once calm, she took a deep breath and plastered a smile on her face. "I promise to be the perfect wife and not get in your way. You will barely know I exist."

Frowning, he shook his head. "No, that's not what I—"

"I beg your pardon," she quickly said. "That was uncalled for. I only mean that I will respect the boundaries of our marriage of convenience. I will bear you an heir, but other than that, we need not see each other much."

"A marriage of convenience?" His eyebrows raised.

"Yes, I think under the circumstances, it makes the most sense. It should suit your needs quite well too."

He frowned, regarding her thoughtfully. Considering that he loved another woman, she rather thought a marriage of convenience was the only fair solution. She was content to marry him and have his child—it's what was expected of her—but she did not wish to risk falling in love with someone whose heart was already taken.

Everyone knew the story of Prince Felix of Ler and Sorceress Isobel. How they had gathered the armies of the twelve kingdoms and defeated the Dark Disciple, ending the reign of terror that had plagued Erya for years. She'd heard all the gossip. That Isobel was banned from marrying and having children, and they had to keep their relationship secret to avoid angering the other sorcerers of Highglaive. That anyone married to Felix would have to accept being the other woman, second to the one he truly loved.

No one could compete with the woman who literally saved the world, and Shae had no intention of trying.

Felix sighed, bringing her attention back to him. "Very well, we will do as you wish. It's the least I can do after your father basically bartered you to be my bride." With a crooked smile, he sketched a bow. "So, Princess Shaeanne... Would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?"

His smile was infectious, making her smile back. She'd do well to keep her distance from this handsome man if she didn't want her heart broken.

She curtsied. "It would be my honour, Your Majesty."

~~~~~~