The chamber doors opened with a quiet groan, revealing the cold, somber throne room of House Val'Kareth.
King Aelorys stood beside his lifelong friend Kairon, both cloaked in regal attire. Raezion entered, his back straight despite the unease twisting in his gut.
"You summoned me, Father?" he asked, bowing slightly.
"Yes," Aelorys said, his voice heavy. "There is a matter of blood, alliance, and… affection."
Raezion blinked. That last word caught him off guard.
Vireon, the eldest son of Kairon and Raezion's guardian in recent years, stepped forward.
"House Val'Kareth has long stood isolated among the noble demon houses. That ends today."
From the side corridor, she appeared.
Renner.
She was breathtaking in every way: flowing golden hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall of starlight, eyes dark and bottomless like an eternal abyss, and skin fair as moonlight. Her presence was calm, composed, and deceptively delicate.
Raezion's breath hitched.
"This is your bride-to-be," Aelorys said, gesturing. "Renner of House Azreth, daughter of Lord Kaemor."
Renner curtsied slowly. "It's a pleasure, Prince Raezion."
Her voice was sweet — too sweet. Like honey hiding venom.
Raezion bowed out of courtesy but felt a chill crawl up his spine.
Later that night, as he sat with Draemax beneath the old dusk tree, Raezion whispered, "She's not what she seems."
The crimson wyrmling rumbled faintly.
> "She sees you as hers. Not a prince. Not a weapon. But a possession."
Raezion looked up at the stars, troubled.
"Then I must learn what she hides behind those golden locks."