Prologue + Chapter 1: The Day Of Engagement

Prologue: A Promise in Valerian

The fire still lingers in my memory, even though the flame is long gone and done.

I can feel the sting of betrayal even now. The bitter taste of a rejection that shattered everything I once knew. 

I was humiliated, hurt, abandoned, and painfully forced to watch the world I loved burn to ashes. 

And yet… even in this darkness moment of my life, my mind drifts back to the beginning, to the day when it all started.

I was five, a princess full of hope and positivity. I wasn't aware of how cruel the world could be. 

Damian Kael Dravenhart, the future Alpha King, came to Valerian Kingdom that day. He was eight, quiet and commanding even then. He was a boy who spoke rarely, but observed everything. 

And I, the talkative child, followed him wherever he went, determined  to make him smile even just once. 

For three days, I accompanied him through every corner of the palace. The gardens, full of flowers and filled with summer scent. The shadowed corridors that whispered secrets, the library filled with books and histories. 

He rarely replied to my words, yet I felt a strange weight in his gaze, as if my words mattered more than they should. I didn’t know then that even silence could hold power.

On the last evening, the sun bleeding across the Valerian mountains, we lingered on the palace balcony. 

The kingdom stretched below us, bathed in gold and amber, yet I could sense a tension in the air I didn’t understand. Damian turned to me, his gray eyes were calm but piercing, and finally… he smiled.

“I’ll come back,” he said. His voice was quiet, but the words cut through me like a promise forged in steel. “And I’ll marry you.”

My heart fluttered, innocent and trusting. I tilted my head, the kind of smile a five-year-old gives when the world feels safe and limitless.

I couldn't stop myself and whispered, “I’ll wait for you.”

That smile, that vow, was a spark in a life that would later be consumed by shadow. I didn’t yet know the sting of rejection, the sharp taste of betrayal, or the bitterness of watching those I loved fall victim to cruelty.

But I knew one thing, whatever came, I would hold onto that moment. I would wait.

Even as years passed and everything changed, the memory of that quiet boy, the Alpha who smiled at me, is no longer the one I knew. 

It was a memory I would return to, one I would clutch to my chest like a shield, even when the world demanded I let go.

And so, in the midst of fire and ruin, that first promise whispered across time, binding me to a future I could not yet see—and to a man I would one day either destroy… or reclaim. 

Chapter 1: The Day of Engagement

Astraea's POV 

The morning light slipped gently through the tall windows of my room, touching the silk curtains with a soft glow.

I stirred beneath the soft covers, my eyelids heavy with sleep until I felt the gentle tug at my shoulder.

“Astraea, Your Highness… Today is an important day," Nina, my personal maid, whispered as she gently brushed a strand of hair away from my face.

I yawned, stretching my arms, letting the last traces of sleep drift away. But then Nina’s words sank in like stones in my mind. 

My eyes widened as I bolted upright. Today… Damian is coming. My fiancé… I hadn’t seen him in years, since I was fifteen, actually. 

My heart raced at the thought, excitement and nerves tangling inside me.

"I… I should get ready," I stammered, though a sudden spark of determination pushed through my hesitation. I turned to Nina. “Help me with a bath… and my hair, please.”

Nina’s face lit up, “Of course, Your Highness! I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

The warm bath washed over me like a gentle embrace. Steam curled around the marble tiles, carrying away my lingering sleepiness. 

I let my mind wander for a moment, imagining what Damian would look like now, how he would carry himself. 

My heart raced as an old memory surfaced, the very first time we met. He had been so quiet, his sharp eyes always observing, while I was the one who never stopped talking, running after him through the palace gardens as if he were the only game worth chasing.

That moment stayed with me, like a fragile thread tying the girl I once was to the woman I was becoming now.

After my bath, I slipped into my favorite dress, its rich fabric falling gracefully against me, both comfortable and elegant.

Nina’s fingers moved gently through my long red hair, weaving it into a neat braid before securing it with a soft ribbon.

She brushed a light touch of makeup across my face, not too much, just enough to brighten my features and leave me with the glow of youth.

“All ready, Your Highness,” Nina announced with a smile, pride shining in her eyes. But then she hesitated, her hand lingering on the ribbon.

“Although… your fiancé may not have arrived just yet. Maybe before or after lunch.”

I tilted my head, feeling a small wave of disappointment. “It’s fine, Nina. I’m not in a rush.”

She nodded, and I smiled softly. “Where are my parents?” I asked.

“They’re probably in their room, Your Highness,” Nina replied.

I grinned widely, a burst of energy coursing through me. “Then I’ll go talk to them before the visitors arrive!”

Half running, I made my way to their room. Without knocking, I barged inside. 

My mother’s eyes widened just a little in surprise, while my father’s gaze lingered on me, a brief flicker of shock passing through his features before he quickly masked it with composure.

“Good morning!” I greeted them cheerfully, letting warmth color my voice, hoping it would soften the tension hanging in the air.

Their lips curved into smiles despite themselves. “And what brings you here so early, my little Astraea?” my father asked gently.

I sat down between them, my small hands resting in theirs. “I missed you,” I said simply.

My mother chuckled softly, pulling me into a hug. “We missed you too, my dear.”

My father’s eyes twinkled. “Why do you look so happy today?” he asked.

I shrugged playfully. “I’m always happy, Father.”

He chuckled, but his gaze softened as he asked, “Is it because of your engagement party tonight?”

I nodded eagerly. “Yes! I’m so excited.”

My parents exchanged a brief glance, my mother sighing as she took my hand in hers. Her voice was gentle but cautious. “Does your heart truly wish to marry Damian?”

I blinked, confused by the sudden seriousness. “Mother… why do you ask? Is something wrong?”

She took a deep breath, forcing a small smile. “Nothing, my love. If you are happy, then we will support you.”

My father leaned closer, his hand resting on mine. “Your mother is right. We will always be here for you. And if you ever change your mind about marrying him, you can tell us—we will find a way to honor your wishes and break the engagement if needed.”

I shook my head, laughter bubbling from me. “No, Father. I’m fine. I’m happy. Damian is my fiancé, and this marriage will also benefit our kingdom.”

They stared at me quietly, a mixture of pride and concern in their eyes. I took a deep breath and pulled them closer. “Don’t look at me like that. It is making me think there's something wrong.”

They laughed softly, easing the tension. “Silly you,” my mother said.

“Your father needs to leave soon,” my mother reminded gently. “I will stay with you for now, Astraea.”

"Yes, I'm leaving now. I'll see you too later, hmm," Father said. 

I nodded and kissed him on the cheek before watching him leave. 

My mother hugged me tightly. “My baby is grown into a woman now,” she whispered.

I chuckled and hugged her back. “I’m still your baby, Mother.”

She let out a warm laugh. “Yes, you are. But even little ones must grow up and face the world someday.” Her words carried a gentle strength, and I smiled, letting their warmth settle deep inside me.

We stayed like that for a few minutes, talking about anything we could think of. Until, I remember something. 

“I’ll leave too, Mother. I want to water my plants and flowers while waiting for my fiancé’s arrival.”

She nodded. “Go ahead, my dear. I have things to attend to as well.”

Before I turned to leave, she placed a hand on my shoulder and looked me in the eyes. “I hope… you will be happy forever, Astraea.”

I smiled, a quiet determination blooming in my chest. “I will, Mother. I promise.”

With that, I stepped out of the room, my chest fluttering with excitement and anticipation.

The palace garden welcomed me with the golden touch of the morning sun, its light spilling over vibrant petals and rich greenery.

I knelt by the flowerbeds, my hands steady as I tended to the soil, watering each bloom with gentle care.

The fragrance of roses and jasmine lingered in the air, weaving together with the soft whisper of leaves swaying in the breeze.

As I moved from one flower bed to another, I found myself talking quietly, as if the flowers could hear me. 

“I hope… I hope I’ll have a happy marriage,” I murmured, my fingers brushing against the delicate petals of a blooming rose.

“I hope Damian will love me just as deeply as I will love him. I hope…” My words faded, stolen away by the gentle breeze.

A soft smile found its way to my lips. Even after all these years, the thought of Damian was enough to send my heart fluttering.

I paused, leaning down toward the roses, closing my eyes as I breathed in their fragrance. 

For a moment, the world felt still, wrapped in a peace that only comes when hope lingers in your chest.

“I… miss him,” I whispered, my voice barely louder than the breeze. My thoughts drifted back to the boy I had met all those years ago. 

The quiet Alpha with piercing gray eyes, and the promise we had once made. The memory warmed me, yet a faint ache of longing pressed against my heart.

Suddenly, a voice broke the calm. “Your Highness… your fiancé has arrived.”

My eyes flew open, my heartbeat stumbling in my chest. At the garden’s entrance stood Nina, her face caught between excitement and careful restraint.

My hands instinctively tightened around the watering can, my thoughts spinning. He’s here. Damian is here. After all these years…

“Already?” I whispered, more to myself than to her. My pulse quickened, and a nervous shiver ran down my spine. My hands shook slightly as I set the watering can down.

“Yes, Your Highness,” Nina said, her voice gentle but firm. “He’s in the main hall. Shall I guide you?”

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. My heart wanted to race, but my mind reminded me to remain composed. “No… I’ll go myself,” I said, my voice was firmer than I felt.

Nina gave a small nod, her eyes soft with understanding. “As you wish, Your Highness. I’ll stay close in case you need me.”

I watched as she stepped back into the quiet shadows of the garden, leaving me surrounded only by my thoughts and the lingering fragrance of the flowers.

My palms started sweating uncontrollably as I walked toward the main hall, each step heavier with anticipation. 

I tried to imagine how Damian would look now, how much he had grown, how the years apart had changed him and me.

The palace seemed quieter than usual, as if the world itself were holding its breath in anticipation of what was to come. 

“Be brave, Astraea. Be yourself. Speak to him… really speak to him this time.”

A few steps more, and I could see the grand doors of the main hall. My chest tightened, my pulse quickened. 

I closed my eyes briefly, drawing in a steadying breath, and whispered a promise to myself.

No matter what awaited me tonight, I would face him with honesty, courage, and hope. 

I would not allow fear or doubt to dim the bond that began all those years ago, in the gardens of my childhood, with a quiet boy and a simple vow.

With trembling hands, I pushed the doors open, stepping into the glow of the grand hall.

Light from the chandeliers spilled across the room, casting everything in a golden glow. And there he was. Damian.

Those same gray eyes I remembered. Now colder, sharper, filled with command. His presence wrapped around the space like a crown he didn’t need to wear, every inch the Alpha King he had become.

But then my gaze shifted, and my heart stumbled.

There was a girl  beside him. Her fingers curled around his arm as if claiming him, her face turned toward him with a smile that was too familiar, too intimate. 

She laughed softly at something he said, and the sound grated like steel against my nerves.

For a moment, I couldn’t breathe. My hands clenched at my sides. 

Who is she?