Chapter 2

The next day, the wedding officiant arrived at my chambers with dozens of attendants.

They carried the wedding gown, the crown, and the wedding ring forged jointly by the Sun Palace and the Fire Temple.

The head officiant bowed respectfully.

"Your Highness, according to the contract's requirements, these ceremonial items must be placed in the bride's chambers and nourished by solar power for seven days."

Before I could respond, Orion appeared from the other end of the corridor.

He glanced at the items and ordered, "You've got the wrong place. Daphne's chambers are on the west side."

The officiant froze.

The contract was protected by the Temple of Fate. He couldn't reveal the bride's name.

I spoke evenly. "There's no mistake. These are mine."

Zephyros arrived right behind Orion, and his face darkened the moment he heard me.

"Helias, haven't you had enough of this game since yesterday?"

He picked up the red-gold wedding crown that our mother had crafted for me.

"Daphne grew up without parents. She doesn't even have a single decent piece of jewelry. Your vault is overflowing with crowns. Why do you have to take this one from her?"

"Because Mother made it to match my divine mark."

Zephyros's expression stiffened.

Daphne happened to step out of her chambers just then.

Her eyes lit up for a split second when she saw the crown, then quickly lowered.

"Something so precious. I don't deserve to wear it."

She turned to leave, but Pyron caught her arm.

"Father had this made for your wedding. Of course you deserve it."

He placed the crown on Daphne's head.

The crown didn't sense the solar bloodline and quickly dimmed, but Pyron acted as if he didn't notice.

"Once the marriage contract is sealed and you have a divine title, it'll accept you."

I said coldly, "Pyron, the crown isn't glowing because she doesn't have divine status yet. It's because she's not the bride."

Pyron whipped around.

"Enough.

"Father and Mother have given you the best of everything since the day you were born. Now that they've prepared a single crown for Daphne, you throw your bloodline in her face?"

Daphne's eyes reddened at just the right moment.

"I don't mind. If Helias likes it, she can keep the crown.

"I'm just the adopted daughter. I shouldn't expect too much."

Orion turned to the wedding officiant, his tone brooking no argument.

"As First Prince of the Sun Palace, I order you to deliver all the wedding items to Daphne's chambers.

"As for this place..."

He swept his gaze over the chambers where I had lived for a thousand years.

"It's closer to the main hall and better suited as the bride's quarters before the wedding. Helias, move to the east wing for a month."

Fury surged through me. "What did you just say? You're giving her my chambers too?"

Orion's frown deepened.

"It's only for a month. Why do you make it sound like we're taking everything from you?

"Once Daphne is married, we'll return everything exactly as it was."

They always thought I had too much. So my chambers could be lent, my crown could be given away, and my grievances could be ignored.

I would always have my parents to fall back on, but Daphne only had them.

How absurd.

The attendants didn't dare defy three princes and carried the ceremonial items toward the west side.

As the head officiant passed me, he lowered his voice.

"Your Highness, shall I report this to His Majesty?"

I watched my three brothers hovering around Daphne, adjusting the crown on her head.

"No."

If my father found out, a single decree would make them return everything.

But fairness forced by authority wasn't what I wanted.

I was leaving soon anyway. Let them have their way.

I turned and walked toward the east wing.

"If only she'd done this from the start. She knew perfectly well you're about to get married, but she still had to make a scene first."

Daphne said gently, "Helias just can't bear to let you go.

"She'll come around. After the wedding, you'll still be her brothers."

None of them noticed that before the officiant left, he had quietly slipped the real wedding ring into my palm.