Page 65 of A Kingdom's Heart
The two servants stayed close as we made our way through the corridor. The castle was quiet, too quiet, the kind of silence that lingered after something terrible. My slippers brushed against the stone, and with each step, the ache in my chest grew.
Still, a small part of me wanted to believe he’d called me for something kind. To see if I was alright. To ask how I felt after nearly being taken from the castle. Maybe, for once, he would sound like a father instead of a king.
When we reached the throne room, the guards straightened at the sight of us. One of them stepped forward and pulled the heavy doors open.
“Her Highness, Princess Iris,” he announced.
The servants at my sides bowed deeply. “Your Majesty,” they said in unison.
My father was sitting on his throne, the light from the tall windows spilling over the gold embroidery of his cloak. His expression was calm but distant, the way it always was when something troubled him.
“Iris,” he said, his tone even. “Come closer. I have an important matter to discuss.”
My heart sank. Of course. How foolish of me to think otherwise.
He hadn’t summoned me to ask if I was well. Not after what happened. Not even after I’d been unconscious for a whole day.
He didn’t want to know if I was alright. He wanted something else. He always did.
“We can’t ignore what happened yesterday,” my father began. “The castle was attacked, and who’s to say worse won’t follow? I thought the threats would stay harmless, but this is beyond that.”
I stood still, my hands tightening around the fabric of my gown. I already knew where this was going, but my chest still tightened
when he continued.
“Therefore,” he said, “we must do what’s best for the kingdom. You will be married off. Tomorrow.”
The word struck like a blade.
“Tomorrow?” My voice broke. “No, Father, days ago you said within a month!”
He looked at me as though I were a child who hadn’t been listening. “I’ve changed my mind,” he said simply. “Tomorrow, we leave for Valebran.”
For a moment, I couldn’t move. I couldn’t even breathe.
Tomorrow. It wasn’t just soon. It was final.
I could only stare at him. The sound of my heartbeat drowned
out everything else. The room felt smaller. Everything felt like it was pressing on me.
I shook my head, taking a step forward. “That’s not fair. You can’t marry me off like this.”
“Oh, it is fair,” he replied, his tone rising. “And I will. I care for my people, Iris. Valebran’s alliance will secure our future. They will fight beside us if more attacks come.”
My stomach twisted. “You speak as if I’m a bargain,” I whispered.
His gaze hardened. “You are my daughter. Your life belongs to this crown, to this kingdom. And if that means sacrifice, then it will be done.”
The wordsacrificelodged deep, colder than the rest.
I wanted to speak, to tell him what it felt like to have no say, to live as a promise wrapped in silk. But my throat closed around the words.
“You are unbelievable,” I said finally, my voice low but shaking. “You’re marrying me to someone I don’t even know.”
His hand slammed down on the armrest of his chair, the sound sharp as thunder. “Quiet!” he roared. “It is final, and it is done.”
The silence that followed was heavy enough to crush.
