Chapter 2: The Contract Wedding

The Temple of the Moon Goddess stood at the heart of the imperial capital like a promise carved from winter itself.

White marble columns stretched toward the pale sky. Silver banners fluttered in the cold breeze, each embroidered with crescent moons that shimmered whenever sunlight touched the threads. Crystal lanterns lined the long staircase leading to the entrance, their soft glow making the temple seem almost otherworldly.

My carriage slowed, and the footman opened the door. For a brief moment, I remained seated. This was it. The last few minutes I would ever spend as Lady Odette Verenne.

Not that House Verenne had ever truly been home. I drew a quiet breath before stepping onto the polished stone.

The cold immediately crept through the soles of my shoes. A hundred pairs of eyes turned toward me, and whispers followed before I had even taken three steps.

“The cursed Verenne daughter.”

“I heard the Grand Duke refused this marriage three times.”

“They say she's impossible to live with.”

“What a waste of such a beautiful face.”

I kept walking. Every word found its mark, but years of office meetings had taught me something.

People who wanted you to react were often disappointed by silence.

Still, silence didn't mean the words stopped hurting.

I climbed the temple steps, one measured step at a time. The massive doors opened, and warmth spilled from inside.

The scent of incense drifted through the air, mixing with beeswax candles and winter flowers arranged beneath the statue of the Moon Goddess.

The hall was breathtaking. Nobles filled both sides of the aisle, dressed in colors that rivaled gemstones. Priests in silver robes stood near the altar, quietly reciting ancient blessings.

At the far end, Grand Duke Evren Arden was waiting.

He wore formal black embroidered with silver wolves climbing over the sleeves and shoulders. His broad frame made even ceremonial clothing look like armor. Silver-white hair rested neatly against the collar of his cloak.

Then his eyes met mine. They were ice blue, calm, and unreadable, holding neither cruelty nor welcome. He was simply watching.

The priest's voice broke the silence.

“The bride.”

My feet carried me forward. Each step echoed through the enormous hall while the whispers followed behind me. 

I wondered if Odette had imagined this walk countless times.

Had she hoped someone would smile?

Had she once believed her parents would look proud?

I glanced toward House Verenne. Father stood perfectly straight, speaking quietly with another noble as though today's ceremony were merely another political meeting.

Mother watched every movement I made, not with affection but with quiet evaluation, making sure I remembered my role.

My younger brother barely looked at me. For just a second, someone else's sadness pressed against my chest. It wasn't mine. It was Odette's. She had wanted them to choose her just once.

I understood that feeling far too well.

I stopped beside Evren. The silence between us felt strangely peaceful compared to the noise behind us.

“You may begin,” the high priest announced.

Ancient vows, older than the Empire itself, filled the temple, speaking of partnership, protection, and duty beneath the Moon Goddess.

I listened carefully as the vows spoke often of trust. How ironic. Two strangers promising trust because politics demanded it.

When the priest instructed us to face each other, Evren did so without hesitation.

“You understand this marriage?” he asked quietly while the priests prepared the ceremonial documents.

His voice was deep and controlled.

“I do.”

“You may still refuse.”

There was no mockery in his voice. If anything, he sounded tired. As though this marriage weighed on him just as heavily as it did on me.

“My family would never allow it,” I answered honestly.

His expression remained unchanged. “I thought as much.”

For some reason, that tiny exchange eased the knot in my chest.

Neither of us had chosen this. At least we understood that much.

The contract was brought forward, a thick document sealed with imperial wax. Several ministers stepped closer to witness the signing.

One advisor began reading every clause aloud.

Military protection. Political support. Territorial agreements. Trade rights. Dowries. Inheritance.

Everything sounded less like a marriage and more like negotiations between kingdoms.

I kept reading until one paragraph caught my attention.

Northern border villages would provide increased grain taxes during winter in exchange for additional military patrols.

I frowned. “If winter is especially harsh,” I said carefully, “wouldn't reducing taxes strengthen the villages instead? Hungry villages cannot guard an empire. Soldiers protect borders, but civilians keep those borders alive.”

One of the imperial ministers let out a quiet scoff. “With respect, Lady Odette, border affairs are not managed from noble drawing rooms. Winter demands sacrifice, not softer taxes.”

I met his gaze calmly. “A starving village cannot protect a border. If people abandon their homes, the Empire loses far more than grain. Loyalty grows stronger when people believe their rulers intend for them to survive.”

The hall fell silent again. Only then did Evren speak.

“What would you suggest?”

I turned toward him. “A temporary reduction tied to harvest reports. The villages recover, the army keeps loyal border settlements, and rebuilding abandoned towns becomes unnecessary.”

Nobody spoke until one elderly advisor slowly nodded.

“That is reasonable.”

Father looked annoyed while Mother's eyes narrowed.

Evren regarded me for another long moment before signing the revised agreement.

“You pay attention,” he observed quietly.

“I read.”

The ceremony continued until it was finally time to exchange rings.

A silver tray was carried forward. The priest offered Evren the first ring.

He took my left hand. His palm was unexpectedly warm, and his fingers brushed mine.

The instant the ring slid into place, something pulsed beneath my skin.

A faint silver light flickered around our joined hands before disappearing so quickly I wondered if I had imagined it.

A gentle warmth settled inside me. It wasn't painful, only oddly comforting, like moonlight around my heartbeat.

Evren's hand tightened almost imperceptibly, and his eyes lifted to mine. Something shifted in his expression before it disappeared so quickly I couldn't be sure I had seen it.

For the briefest instant, I thought I saw surprise flicker across the high priest's face before he quickly lowered his eyes and continued the ceremony. Had he noticed it too?

Or had I imagined that as well?

The high priest smiled.

“Before the Moon Goddess and the Empire, I pronounce you husband and wife.”

The applause was polite, measured, and entirely political.

The reception began shortly afterward. Crystal chandeliers illuminated the ballroom while musicians played soft melodies in the background.

Servants moved between guests carrying silver trays of wine and delicate pastries.

Every conversation seemed pleasant, but none of them were honest.

As another group drifted away, an elderly noblewoman paused beside me. She offered a small, almost apologetic smile.

“May the Moon Goddess watch over you, Your Grace.”

Before I could thank her, she lowered her head and disappeared into the crowd, as though lingering any longer would invite unwanted attention.

A servant stopped beside me, poured wine for three nobles, skipped me deliberately, and continued walking.

I pretended not to notice. A moment later, another glass appeared before me.

Evren had quietly placed his untouched wine beside my hand.

He didn't look at me or offer an explanation. He simply continued speaking with a general as though nothing had happened.

It was such a small gesture, barely noticeable, yet somehow it mattered.

Mother approached before long and adjusted the edge of my sleeve with practiced elegance.

“You have behaved adequately.”

“Remember who you represent.”

I met her eyes. “I remember.”

She turned away without another word.

Father had already left to speak with imperial officials, and my brother never came to say goodbye.

I watched them disappear into the crowd.

Strangely, I didn't feel abandoned.

You cannot lose something you never truly had.

Outside, snow had begun falling again. The grand carriage bearing House Arden's crest waited at the foot of the temple steps.

The wolves carved into its dark wood seemed almost alive beneath the lantern light.

A servant opened the door, and Evren offered me his hand.

I accepted it. There was no strange light this time, only the quiet warmth of his hand.

The carriage door closed behind us.

The capital slowly drifted away beyond the frosted windows.

Neither of us spoke.

Silence settled comfortably between strangers who understood duty better than choice.

After several minutes, Evren finally broke it.

“The North is colder than the capital.”

I smiled faintly.

“So I've heard.”

He looked out the window again.

“The people there won't trust you.”

“I know.”

“They'll test you.”

“I expected that.”

For the first time since we had met, he looked directly at me.

“Good.”

The carriage rolled onward as the capital disappeared beneath the falling snow. Ahead lay Frostmane: a husband I barely knew, a pack that already hated my name, and a life that wasn't mine. I didn't know what awaited me in the North. I only knew there was no turning back.