You say you’re nothing, yet you show you’re everything just by saying that

The guests chatted as the band played. Some of them danced in the center of the hall, and the robotic sounds of their prosthetics echoed with each step on the floor. The women kept a slight smirk when I entered, while the men continued their conversations about politics.

Rafar’s expression changed completely as he stepped into the hall. Now, it seemed as though a dark aura surrounded him, as if hatred had cast a veil over him. His gaze was fixed on Safira, the queen, who looked at me with a mix of surprise and fear upon noticing my arrival. I realized my hand was still clasped in his, and when I tried to pull away, he stopped me.

"You're my fiancée, remember?"

"How could I forget?" I replied, embarrassed. "I didn't expect such a grand ball. What's the reason for it?"

"To announce our engagement to the public," he said, in a worried tone, and I quickly understood why.

The women murmured among themselves, and I noticed some were watching me with envy. Even a few men gathered to whisper as they observed us moving deeper into the hall.

"Prince, Prince," a feminine voice echoed, and a woman with long blonde hair grabbed Rafar’s arm. "I waited so long for your return! Did you have a good journey?"

I coughed, making the woman turn toward me. Rafar pulled his arm away from hers, his expression one of disgust.

"Oh, I am Lady Larissa. Are maids allowed at the ball now, my lord?" she asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Does she look like a maid to you?" Rafar replied firmly. "To me, she is the princess."

Larissa bit her lip hard, holding back her anger.

"But, my lord, she’s full of bruises. It only shows how her hands have labored."

I noticed the rope marks still on my wrists and the many cuts on my hands. I took a deep breath, ready to respond, when Rafar pulled me closer.

"Lady, you asked me about my journey, didn't you? I must say it was splendid," he said, raising his voice for others to hear. "After all, on it, I found the woman of my life, my future wife, Mei Hutz."

The woman’s eyes locked onto me, as did the eyes of the other nobles. Slowly, everyone began whispering until the entire hall surrounded us.

"Hutz... of the cruel... Hutz?" asked a man, hesitant.

"Is she really the cleric's daughter? Impossible!" another muttered, trembling.

"Is he truly going to marry her? What does she have that we don’t?" murmured some of the ladies among themselves.

For years, Mei had been trained to be a prince's bride, and because of this, I managed to maintain my composure and resist the urge to flee.

"It’s a great pleasure to meet you all. I am Mei Hutz, and I hope to be a good queen to you all."

The murmurs continued as Rafar took my arm, pulling us both away from the crowd. We found ourselves on a balcony overlooking the entire castle courtyard. The moon’s reflection on the crystal-clear water of a fountain seemed to calm my heart after everything that had happened.

"Who was that woman?" was the first thing that slipped out of my mouth automatically, as soon as Rafar leaned beside me. He looked at me curiously.

"Who do you mean?" he reflected, and before I could answer, he guessed, "Lady Larissa?"

"Yes..." I replied, my heart racing. Just thinking of that woman made my face flush with anger. He noticed and chuckled, running a hand through my hair.

"She’s a childhood friend," he explained. "My mother once planned for me to marry her when I grew up. She’s a princess from a neighboring kingdom, known for its manufacturing of gears. But, as I said, none of that matters, because I only want you."

I admit my jealousy hadn’t entirely vanished, but hearing those words from him relaxed me a bit.

"Why do you want me? I’m nothing..."

"You say you’re nothing, yet you show you’re everything just by saying that," he said, looking into the distance. "Your purity, humility, and humanity captured my heart, and they always will."

I blushed and didn’t respond. My body froze, and the butterflies in my stomach danced wildly to the melody that echoed in the hall. When the music stopped, Rafar looked at me intently. He extended his hand and, with a smile, invited me to the next dance.