RINE'

e, signaling that it was time for the coronation. My heart pounded as I slipped into my dress, a simple bu

was

ent my life woul

rushed out of my room, following the other m

ing was

ceremony to end. The golden chandeliers above made the hall extremely beautiful but the air was still fill

ing as I watched. The elders placed

il King

c of my dress as I waited. My

ony was a

s stepped

our King to ch

ell over

s deep eyes moved across th

looking

s gaze moved slowly, carefully, as if he were deliberately delaying the mome

n-he fo

ld feel it in his stare. Something deep. Something

ips p

chosen m

had been waiting for. My heart pounded, my eyes

lf, ready to

-he turn

attered when he m

y Bi

nd, I coul

erupted into cheers. People clapped, some even whistled

ldn't hea

heard t

an

st fr

ng. She wasn't shocked. She didn'

e-but at

at moment

known al

. What happened? He was so confide

he do th

eart

lungs as he turned to her, his hand reaching for hers like she had always belonged to h

he bright light. And then, to my utter horror, she steppe

the sound of my own heartbeat. People clapped. Some screamed out of joy.

pt f

wing me whole. Why? Why was he doing this? I wanted to scream, to rush to him, to demand an explanation. But my body wouldn't move. My lips wouldn't pa

e gasps and questioning glances. My legs felt weak as I staggered toward

y ears caught the sound of low voices. Two gua

dered it!" one

night!" the other rep

forward, my breath catching in my throat. I

ughter." the first guard scoff

pine. My blood turned to ice

wanted

the start. She had taken everything from me. Damian. My place at his side. My future. And now... she wanted my life too. I should

o my palms. I couldn't stay here. I had t

traight towards me as if they had planned something bad for me. "The King has reques

d hard. "I

epping aside to allow m

sita

s were nearby and they would know I heard all th

hold the glass, my heart beating f

ding with the elders, speaking in low tones. Bianca was still beside

proached slowly, my body still trembling. When I reached him, I l

glass, his lips parted- as if he was

uld say whatever

quickly

could give it to him. The glass shattered against the floo

illed t

, frozen

e twisted with horror. "Catherine poi

fell deat

s turne

roat as the weight of her

n took a step