The Prince's Arranged Marriage Chapter 1: Absolutely Not

There had to be a mistake. A cruel joke. So ridiculous misunderstanding that would be clarified any mont now.

But as I stared at my father, King Christopher Damon, and my mother, Queen Alicia Damon, I realized there was no humor in their expressions. No hesitation. No regret.

"You are to be married in six months," my father repeated, his voice firm, his eyes unreadable. "Preparations will begin imdiately."

I sat frozen in my chair, every muscle in my body rigid. The weight of the words pressed down on , suffocating.

"No," I said, my voice sharp. "Absolutely not. I refuse."

My father's gaze darkened. "This is not a request, Lucien. It has been decided. The arrangent is final."

I shot to my feet, my pulse hamring in my ears. "I don't care what's been decided! You expect to marry—*him*? Prince Alexander Silver?"

I could barely say his na without my teeth clenching.

"It is the only way," my father said, his voice carrying the finality of a decree. "The kingdom is in debt. Our economy is crumbling. We have sought every solution, but none have worked. Avaloria has agreed to aid us financially—under one condition."

I shook my head, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. "And that condition is *selling* off like a political bargaining chip? Like I'm so kind of trade agreent?"

"Lucien," my mother spoke softly, her expression sorrowful, "we know this is difficult, but the people of Veridia need you. This marriage will secure our kingdom's future."

I turned to her, desperate. "Mother, you *know* how I feel about Alexander. This is a disaster waiting to happen. You've seen the way he is. Cold. Arrogant. Completely insufferable! I cannot marry him. I *will not* marry him."

"The contract has already been signed," my father said, finality ringing in his voice. "This decision is beyond you now."

Beyond . The words felt like a slap. My future had been sealed without my input, my opinions, or my consent.

My fists clenched. "Give a chance," I pleaded. "I've spent my entire life being trained to rule this kingdom. Let find another way. I can fix this—*we* can fix this without sacrificing my life for a deal."

"Lucien—"

"No!" I cut him off, my voice rising. "I won't do this. I won't stand beside that man and pretend to love him while I die inside."

My mother's eyes were glassy as she whispered, "I'm sorry, my love."

The finality in her voice sent a sharp pang through my chest. I took a shaky breath, searching her face, hoping—*praying*—for any sign of hesitation, any indication that she would fight for . But she simply bowed her head, silent.

I felt sick.

The walls of my father's office seed to close in around , suffocating with the weight of betrayal. My own parents—two people who had raised , who I had trusted above all else—had handed over like a pawn on a chessboard.

Numbly, I nodded and turned on my heel, storming out before the lump in my throat could turn into sothing humiliating.

---

Back in the solitude of my chambers, I paced, my mind in turmoil. The grand chandeliers cast long shadows along the marble floors, their light unable to ease the darkness settling inside .

Marrying Alexander Silver.

I pressed my fingers to my temple, willing the thought away, but it lingered like poison.

I had t Alexander before, and each encounter had only solidified my hatred for him.

The first ti was two years ago, at a royal gala in Eldoria. I had been eager, even curious, to et him—after all, he was a na whispered in admiration across kingdoms. At twenty, he was already hailed as a military genius, a skilled diplomat, the perfect heir to Avaloria's throne. A paragon of everything a ruler should be.

And I had wanted to speak with him, just once, to see if he was truly the legend they claid.

I rember approaching him, my heart pounding slightly, rehearsing my words in my mind. But just as I opened my mouth—

He had looked at with a single, cold glance, turned on his heel, and walked away.

I had never been humiliated so thoroughly in my entire life.

That was the mont my resentnt took root. And it only grew deeper with each encounter that followed—each ti he barely acknowledged my presence, each ti he dismissed without a second thought.

And *now*, fate had decided that this was the man I would be bound to for life.

I threw myself onto my bed, exhaling sharply as I stared at the ceiling.

There had to be a way out of this. So loophole. So alternative.

I had always been told my life was ant for duty. That I had no choice in the matter of my destiny.

But I had never believed it.

I wouldn't let my life be dictated by an agreent I never agreed to.

I would find a way out.

No matter what it took.

Even if I couldn't find a way out, I would do my best.

At least I owed it to myself to try.