Chapter Four

Elyria’s POV

“Cassian,” I said in relief. “Oh my goodness, you startled me.”

“What are you doing here?” he asked again. I tried not to think about how cold his voice sounded.

“I’m here to see you, of course. We have a lot to talk about, and I couldn’t wait until tomorrow. There are some things you actually have to hear from me.”

“Too late, Elyria. I already know. You can save the act.”

He pushed past me and stepped into the small space, taking a seat on the chair.

It was obvious he had already been informed of the new development. I should have known my father would reach him first. Now, nothing I said would make sense to him.

“I only just found out today,” I said quickly. “You have to believe me.”

I went up to him and tried to hold his hand, but he pulled away immediately.

“I can’t believe anything that comes from your mouth,” he spat bitterly.

“Cassian, please, just let me explain. None of this is my fault. My father and mother sprung it on me out of nowhere…”

“Typical Princess Elyria behavior,” he cut in. “You never take responsibility for anything. I don’t know how I survived in that relationship for so long.”

“That relationship?” My voice broke slightly. “So everything we had meant nothing to you?”

A few tears escaped before I could stop them. I couldn’t believe he was already speaking in the past tense. His tone alone carried disgust, and it shattered something in me.

“What else do you expect?” he said. “After you and your family made a fool of me?”

“You have to understand, I had no idea what they planned. I honestly thought they supported our union. They never complained about you before. This came as a shock to me.”

It was the truth. They had always treated him like their own. I had never seen a time they rejected him. This cottage alone had been given to him by my parents on palace grounds. They were fine with him being here just not as the future king of Aetherion.

“I don’t know what you want me to say, Elyria,” he said flatly. “You have nothing to lose here. Tomorrow your entire life changes, and you won’t have to worry about dead weight like me anymore.”

“What? No…please, you know I’ve never thought of you like that. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me and…”

“If that’s true,” he interrupted, “then disobey your father. Tell him you won’t become queen unless we’re married.”

His words made me freeze.

It wasn’t like I hadn’t thought about it. But it wasn’t that simple. Defying my father could cost me everything I had been prepared for my whole life.

“You don’t have anything to say now, do you?” he asked.

“It’s not that simple, Cassian, and you know it,” I said softly. “It’s not just about my father. I have an obligation to my people. They need a ruler who is young, active… someone who can actually lead them.”

“Then I’ll make it simple for you, Elyria,” he said quietly.

My stomach tightened.

“You and I are over. Officially. Don’t worry about me. In fact…” He gave a bitter laugh. “Congratulations on your new marriage.”

My throat tightened, but I swallowed it down. I had not expected him to give up so easily, as if everything we were could be erased with a few words. I stood there, helpless, trying to find something, anything, that could make him look at me differently.

He stood. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to pack.”

He walked into the bedroom, and that was when I noticed how empty the place suddenly looked. No personal belongings. Nothing.

“Why are you packing?” I followed him. “This is your home. You don’t have to leave just because of this.”

“Your father already sent me away,” he said sharply. “And even if he hadn’t, you of all people should know I can’t stay here after this.”

Before I could respond, the front door burst open.

About ten guards entered first, clearing the space. My mother walked in behind them, her expression tight with disappointment.

“Elyria,” she said sharply. “What do you think you’re doing here?”

“I came to talk to the man who was supposed to be my fiancé,” I said, turning to her. “I can’t believe you and Father sent him away. Cassian did nothing wrong.”

“You should watch your tone, young lady.”

“I don’t care about tone right now when you’re tearing the love of my life away from me.”

She looked at me for a moment, as if deciding whether I was worth responding to.

Then she snapped her fingers.

The guards moved immediately.

“Mother…what are you doing?” I stepped back. “Unhand me!”

One of them grabbed my arm.

“Is this how you treat the future queen?” I demanded, struggling against them.

“This is how you will be treated until you act the way you’re supposed to,” she said coldly. “Tomorrow changes everything. Tonight, you will obey me. Sooner or later, you’ll understand that everything I’m doing is for your own good.”

“This is so unfair!”

They dragged me toward the door.

“Stay in your room,” she said, “while I have a word with Cassian.”

I struggled the entire way out, my mind racing.

Was she threatening him? Hurting him? At this point, I couldn’t tell anymore. It was like I didn’t even recognize my mother.

Back in my room, I was surrounded.

Guards lined my doors and windows. No escape.

That was when it fully hit me.

This wasn’t just a coronation.

This was control.

My entire life was about to change, and yet nothing was truly changing. My parents would still be the ones pulling every string. I would just be queen in name.

Every decision. Every rule. Even who I was allowed to love.

It would all be dictated.

Absolute torture.

“I need to find a way out of this,” I whispered.