The Prince's Arranged Marriage Chapter 8: The Journey To Veridia

Two days had passed since the engagent party, yet the weight of it still pressed down on . The grand halls of the palace, once filled with music and the clinking of champagne glasses, were now eerily quiet. But outside these walls, the world was anything but.

The royal tour had been announced yesterday.

The news spread like wildfire across Veridian and Avaloria, flashing across every screen, dissected by every comntator. Every mont of our upcoming journey was already under scrutiny, and opinions had begun to form—so eager, so skeptical, and many utterly unconvinced.

And today, we were leaving.

Morning Briefing: The Itinerary Unveiled

The conference room was colder than usual, though I suspected that had more to do with my mood than the temperature. I sat stiffly in my chair, my hands gripping the armrests a little too tightly. Across from , Alexander sat with his usual perfect posture, scanning the docunts before him.

Sir Aldric Fairmont, the palace's press and communications officer, cleared his throat. "As you are both aware, the tour officially begins today. Your departure for Veridia, the capital, is set for noon. Let's go over the schedule."

He tapped his tablet, and the itinerary appeared on the large screen before us.

Veridia Visit – Official Itinerary

12:00 PM – Departure from the Royal Estate: A motorcade will escort you to Veridia, ensuring a visible presence along the journey.

2:30 PM – Grand Plaza Arrival: A formal public welco in the heart of the city, expected to draw thousands.

4:00 PM – eting with City Officials: Discussions regarding Veridia's ongoing developnt projects and cultural heritage conservation.

6:00 PM – Press Conference at Veridian Governnt Hall: Addressing the engagent and outlining the significance of the royal tour.

8:00 PM – Charity Gala at the Royal Opera House: An event attended by nobles, foreign diplomats, and influential figures.

I scanned the list, my stomach tightening at the sheer number of events cramd into one day.

"This is excessive," I muttered.

Sir Aldric raised an eyebrow. "It is necessary."

Alexander glanced at , his expression unreadable. "The more we give them to talk about, the easier it will be to control the narrative."

I t his gaze, irritation simring beneath my skin. "And if I don't want to play along?"

Sir Aldric sighed, already anticipating my resistance. "Then you will make things worse for yourself, Your Highness."

I scoffed but didn't argue. There was no winning here.

Sir Aldric pressed on. "Security asures have been put in place. The streets surrounding the Grand Plaza will be closed off, and additional officers will be stationed along your route."

"And the press?" Alexander asked.

"They'll be positioned strategically throughout the events. We want the engagent to appear organic, but every mont will be carefully managed."

Organic. What a joke.

I leaned back in my chair, arms crossed. "And how much affection are we expected to display?"

Sir Aldric t my gaze with a look that said he had no patience for my sarcasm. "Enough to be believable."

I exhaled sharply. "Perfect."

Alexander said nothing, simply nodding in understanding.

Sir Aldric shut his tablet. "Your car is ready. The people are waiting."

Two hours later, we were in the backseat of a sleek black luxury car, the centerpiece of a carefully orchestrated motorcade. Outside, caras flashed, and crowds lined the streets leading out of the estate. People waved the flags of both Veridian and Avaloria, their expressions ranging from excitent to uncertainty.

I stared out the window, watching as the landscape shifted from sprawling countryside to towering cityscape.

Veridia.

A city of contrasts.

Here, centuries-old stone buildings stood proudly beside sleek glass towers, their steel and neon accents rging the past with the future. Cobblestone streets wove between futuristic transport hubs, and electric trams ran alongside horse-drawn carriages preserved for tradition. It was a place where history and progress coexisted, where the old and new struggled for dominance yet sohow thrived together.

It was my ho.

And yet, it didn't feel like it today.

"You've been staring out the window for twenty minutes," Alexander remarked beside .

I didn't turn. "Would you prefer I stare at you instead?"

He let out a quiet laugh. "I wouldn't mind."

I rolled my eyes. "Enjoying yourself?"

"I'm preparing."

I finally turned to look at him. "For what?"

"For Veridia. For the caras. For you."

His gaze was steady, unreadable as always.

I exhaled. "You make it look easy."

Alexander tilted his head slightly. "It's not."

I wanted to believe him. But I still rembered that night two years ago. The way he had ignored at the Eldoria Ball, making feel like nothing.

I looked away. "Then you're just better at pretending than I am."

He didn't respond, and for a while, the only sound was the hum of the car.

The roads leading into Veridia grew busier. Crowds thickened along the sidewalks, news drones hovering above to capture our arrival from every angle.

As we approached the city's heart, the Grand Plaza ca into view.

A sprawling space surrounded by historic buildings, it had once been the site of royal proclamations and revolutions alike. Now, it would bear witness to yet another performance—the grand arrival of two princes in love.

The car slowed. My pulse quickened.

Alexander adjusted his cufflinks, his movents effortless, practiced. "You ready?"

No.

But I gave him a sharp smile anyway. "Always."

The door opened, and the roar of the crowd swallowed us whole.

A Perfectly Crafted Welco

The second we stepped out of the car, the performance began.

Alexander moved first, offering his hand—a silent invitation, a calculated gesture. I hesitated, just long enough for the caras to catch the mont before I took it.

His palm was warm against mine, his grip steady.

We walked together toward the raised platform in the center of the plaza, waving to the crowd as we ascended the steps. Cheers erupted, though mixed among them were murmurs of doubt.

A man in a crisp navy suit approached—a governnt official, here to formally welco us. "Your Highnesses, it is an honor to receive you both in Veridia."

Alexander smiled, his charm perfectly asured. "The honor is ours."

I forced myself to nod, my own smile practiced yet hollow.

Beside , Alexander stood tall, unwavering.

I glanced at him from the corner of my eye.