It was not a grand farewell.

Lumi had not expected one.

She had been debating if Theros would be there or not. But of course, the King's presence would be required if he was handing over something that was his to another.

He had not told her where she was going, or who she was being married to. Lumi had wanted to tell Macy and Jodi to stop crying. The life of royalty was full of luxury, but that didn't mean it was a soft life. Her mother had taught her from a very young age that you had to love yourself first because the events that came to pass would make you feel very alone.

She understood what her mother meant now.

After all, her mother had been offered to her father as a bride, and it was obvious now to this day that the two- though they had their moments and a deep respect for each other- were not a love match.

That was just life.

But the figure that Lumi approached was one that she recognized. She felt a small smile come to her face as she hesitantly continued to move forward.

"Is it you?" Her question was vague, but she knew the stranger would understand.

He had been at the ball. He had offered to dance with her over and over again. He had been kind and something soothing against the other males who seemed so aggressive and straightforward.

There was something about his gentleness when he had asked her, that made her say yes three times.

And now here he stood in front of her.

"Hello Princess Lumi. I'm happy to see you again," his smile was the same one she remembered. She felt herself slowly smiling back at him, her heart feeling more at ease than she would have hoped.

He gave a deep bow to her, taking her hand and lowering himself to kiss the top of it, "Let me introduce myself formally. I only gave you my first name when we danced. But my full title is Josiah Rai Lukariah. King of Galexius- the land hidden in stars."

Lumi nodded to him, looking around at the men that were behind him. They each bowed in her direction.

She saw from the corner of her eye, the Winter King coming closer.

Josiah rose and let go of her hand, still smiling down at her.

"I want to apologize for how quick this all is. I didn't expect to come here and leave with a wife."

His words caught her attention.

Leave with a wife...

At that statement, King Theros and his council men arrived. There was a pause of silence before finally, Wilmot stepped forward.

"The documents are here for signing. All that is required is Princess Lumi's consent."

Lumi felt an involuntary laugh leave her.

The council members winced.

Josiah turned back to her, his smile broadening. "I found it ironic also."

She shook her head, coming closer to Wilmot. In her approach, she was able to better see Theros. His face wore no expression, and for the first time she realized that Lady Elowen was standing beside him.

Lumi gave her another sad smile. A knowing smile. Elowen only nodded in acknowledgment, her eyes flicking up to Theros to watch his reaction to the unfolding events.

But still, he showed no emotion.

Without another word, Lumi took the documents, looking them over and accepting the pen from Wilmot's outstretched hand.

She hesitated and looked to Josiah.

"I know I have no say...not really...but can you promise me something first?"

He approached her, moving close so that it was just the two of them. Lumi had to admit that even if this did not work out, at least the Winter Kingdom had married her off to someone young and handsome.

She had always had a weakness for handsome men.

"What is it?" he whispered.

"Will you protect me?"

He looked down at her. She could almost see the laughter in his eyes, "do you need my protection?"

"Sometimes," Lumi admitted.

"I'll keep you safe," he promised. There was a deep sincerity in his words. As if he could see her dark insecurity that resided inside. Her fear at signing these papers, and being forced to live in another foreign land, with new people- to learn new customs and have everything she had worked hard to build so far- be taken away.

She looked down and signed the papers.

Even though this was technically a marriage ceremony, no one was looking at the new bride and groom. All eyes of the winter kingdom rested on their King.

His own eyes seemed to be the only ones taking in the whispered conversation- the ease that they suddenly seemed to be getting along with. The way her shoulders had dipped down- how the tension had left her.

And just as soon as it had begun- it was over.

Lumi handed the papers back to Wilmot, her face for once serious as she put her back to the councilmen, the winter land- and the King.

They could feel the new resolve that seemed to settle in her shoulder.

A new land. A new culture.

Just another place to adapt and survive in.

Some of the council members found themselves looking at Lady Elowen with uncertainty before realizing what they were doing.

Others could not but help stare at the princess in rare fascination. They had only seen her a handful of times. They had never really been able to grasp her true personality- and guilt only hit them then as they watched her new husband take her hand and lead her away.

The King took a step forward.

Their breaths seemed to catch in their throats as the air around them stilled.

It was just one step. They watched his eyes stay on her. Locked as she turned and gave one final bow of farewell in their direction.

Her own eyes rose to meet his.

And a tension like no other filled the open space.

They looked to her new husband, wondering if he had the sense to pull her away before it was too late- but to their horror, he seemed to be allowing her this moment.

"Goodbye." She had said it. The final word that meant the end.

She had been able to shut the door. To close the cover. To start another chapter and begin the next uninterrupted.

They knew it was because she had always been focused on survival. Surviving and moving on and making sure she saw the next day. There was no time for weakness - not for the ones who didn't want to get crushed while managing the whirl of politics and lies. No time to fall down, especially a woman in a world such as this.

But their King.

Their King stood there in what could only be described as shock.

They all watched her climb the carriage.

But to the amazement and alarm of the council members and guards present, the King of Galexious had turned at the last second.

His gaze was directed to the King and the King only. A triumphant grin spread across the male's face as he closed the door to the carriage, and drove away.

* * *

The guards tried to see any difference in the King.

They could find none.

He was still as cold and silent as he had been before.

His anger was there- prominent in the room. But it had always been like that.

There was something...wrong though.

He was not different.

He was their same King. The same man who sat on the throne, who looked over the reports, gave curt replies and did not waste his time on useless things.

But Marcos would see his eyes stray to the snow. Until the doors were permanently closed.

Now it was ill lit and cold. There was not much that had changed. But Marcos was able to see the difference. They were able to see the difference because in those months that she had been here- he had changed.

It wasn't that he was different now.

He was the same.

He was back to being the same.

Marcos felt pity as he looked at Lady Elowen. She wasn't able to see it. Many of the council members except Wilmot, were not able to see it. They either had not been here or had not been paying close enough attention.

He was the same.

And the guards felt their heart breaking for their King at this fact.

I'm thinking of changing my updates to Tuesday/Thursday - mon/wed/fri just don't seem to work in my schedule. So expect the next update on Tuesday! (*hopefully*)

By the way, I've given up on the banners at the start of the chapter for now. I just can't find good pictures that would look nice and match the chapters. Maybe if I have time I'll go back and fix it hahahaha (I'm lazy, don't act like me).

Thank you for reading! ♥