A love written too early

Chapter 47

Five Years Later

The entire room was in chaos.

Windows shattered as thunder struck violently outside, flashes of lightning illuminating the destruction within. Furniture lay broken, the air heavy with crackling energy. Rowan’s cries filled the room, raw and unending.

“Call the chief priest now!” Orion roared.

Ever since Rowan turned three, his episodes had grown worse. He would suddenly become anxious and aggressive, sometimes blacking out without warning. They had hoped it was a phase—something he would outgrow—but instead, it intensified with every passing year.

The chief priest arrived in haste and immediately began chanting, his voice low and commanding as he attempted to calm the raging atmosphere. He approached Rowan carefully.

“The child possesses the same ability as his father,” he said, sprinkling holy water over Rowan’s head, “but his power is far stronger.”

“What…?” Hazel’s voice trembled. Her face twisted with fear.

“If proper care is not taken,” the priest continued gravely, “he will be consumed by darkness and live a soulless life.”

The words made everyone’s heart drop.

“What is the solution?” Orion asked.

“A true love—one capable of calming his soul,” the priest replied quietly.

“But… he’s still a child. He hasn’t even come of age,” Hazel cried, wiping her tears. “How can he find true love?”

“Do not worry about that, my lady,” the chief priest said gently before leaving the room.

Slowly, Rowan calmed. The thunder ceased, the energy dissipated, and he finally drifted into sleep.

Hazel moved closer to him.

“Rowan…” she whispered, touching his face softly—one of the rare moments she could get close to him without fear.

Orion pulled her into his arms, kissing her forehead as he guided her out of the room.

“Do not worry,” he said calmly. “Everything will be fine soon.”

“But how?” Hazel asked through silent tears. “He’s suffering, and we have no solution. How can everything be fine?”

“Then we choose a woman for him,” Orion replied.

“A woman? For a five-year-old boy?” Hazel stared at him in disbelief. “That’s ridiculous.”

The Next Day

Orion stood at the podium before a hall filled with palace ministers.

“We will be choosing a bride for the young heir,” he announced firmly.

The hall erupted into murmurs.

“For a five-year-old?” the ministers whispered among themselves.

“Decorum!” Orion shouted, silencing them instantly.

“The applications will be released today. Any interested family may apply with their child.”

He walked out, leaving the hall buzzing with disbelief.

Soon, families arrived from distant towns, eager to become connected to the royal household.

Hazel selected twenty young girls around Rowan’s age. Since they were too young for traditional bridal trials, the ceremony was moved to Rowan’s room—he had refused to come outside.

“When you see a girl you like,” the chief priest instructed Rowan, handing him a small crown, “place this crown on her head.”

He exited the room and invited the girls in one by one.

The children were visibly frightened.

“Do not be scared,” Hazel assured them gently. “He will not hurt you.”

The first girl entered and returned seconds later, the crown untouched. One after another, the girls went in—and each came out without the crown.

Until one remained.

A strange little girl who had been crying since she arrived.

“Would you like to try?” Hazel asked softly.

The girl shook her head.

“I’ll take you back to your father if you want,” Hazel promised.

After a moment, the girl nodded and bravely stepped into the room.

Minutes passed.

Then thirty.

No one had ever stayed inside that long.

“I should check,” Orion said, walking toward the room.

But the moment he opened the door, he froze—stunned by the sight before him.