mixture of excitement and trepidation. Rolling hills gave way to dense forests, quaint villages to bustling towns. The world, it seemed, was much larger than she had ever imagined.

d back to the window, her gaze fixed on the horizon. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the land. The sky was ablaze with color, a fiery tapestry of orange, red, and purple. It was a beautiful sight, yet Anya couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. This journey, this marriage, felt like a descent into darkness, a farewell to the carefree days of her childhood. As the carriage approached the capital city, the landscape changed dramatically. Gone were the rolling hills and quaint villages, replaced by towering buildings and bustling streets. Carriages and carts clogged the roads, their drivers shouting and jostling for position. Pedestrians thronged the sidewalks, their faces a mixture of curiosity and indifference. Anya had never seen so many people in one place before. The sheer scale of the city overwhelmed her, making her feel small and insignificant. She longed for the familiar comfort of her country estate, with its sprawling gardens and peaceful meadows. The carriage finally came to a halt before the imposing gates of the royal palace. Anya's breath caught in her throat as she gazed up at the magnificent structure. It was like something out of a fairytale, a towering edifice of marble and gold, with soaring spires and intricate carvings. Two guards, clad in gleaming armor, stood sentinel at the gates. They eyed the carriage with suspicion, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords. Elara leaned forward and whispered something to the driver, who then presented a sealed document to the guards. After a brief inspection, the guards stepped aside, allowing the carriage to pass through the gates. Anya's heart pounded as the carriage rolled through the palace grounds. She had never seen such opulence before. Manicured lawns stretched as far as the eye could see, dotted with fountains and statues. Exotic flowers bloomed in profusion, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the gray stone of the palace walls. The carriage drew up before the main entrance, and a footman rushed forward to open the door. Anya stepped out, her legs trembling slightly. She felt a thou