Page 28 of His Forbidden Princess
And before the throne, her back straight and head high, stands Lirien.
She wears a simple gown of deep blue, her hair loosely bound rather than elaborately styled. No jewels, no royal trappings. Just a woman facing her father, her future, her destiny with quiet determination.
She turns at our entrance, and the relief that crosses her face when she sees me nearly brings me to my knees. She's been fighting for me all this time, uncertain if I still lived.
Merritt halts our procession at a respectful distance from the throne. "Your Majesty, the prisoner as commanded."
The king's gaze falls on me, cold and assessing. "Dain Vorex. Once captain of my guard, entrusted with my daughter's safety. Now charged with treason, abduction of the crown princess, and assault on royal guards in the execution of their duty."
I say nothing. There is nothing to say. The facts are not in dispute.
"Have you anything to offer in your defense before sentence is passed?" the king asks, a formality only.
I lift my chin, meeting his gaze directly. "I acted according to my conscience, Your Majesty. I would do so again."
A murmur runs through the council members at my lack of remorse. The king's expression hardens.
"Then by the power vested in me?—"
"Father, wait." Lirien steps forward, placing herself between me and the throne. "You promised to hear me before passing judgment."
The king sighs, clearly having already endured much argument from his daughter. "I have heard you, Lirien. For hours, I have heard you. But this man?—"
"Is the man I love." Her voice rings clear in the vast chamber. "The man I choose."
Prince Aldric shifts uncomfortably, his pride clearly wounded by this public declaration. The council members exchange glances, shock evident on their faces.
"A passing infatuation," the king dismisses. "The result of too many romantic tales and too little understanding of what is at stake."
"You think me a child?" Lirien's voice is quiet but steel-edged. "A silly girl captivated by her guard? Is that truly how little you know your daughter?"
The king leans forward, his patience visibly wearing thin. "What I know is that you have responsibilities greater than your personal desires. What I know is that the alliance with Westland is vital to our kingdom's security. What I know is that this man took advantage of his position to seduce you away from your duty."
"He did not seduce me from anything." Lirien stands her ground, unintimidated. "It was I who left the palace that night, I who sought freedom, I who asked him to take me away. If anyone is guilty of seduction, it is me."
I open my mouth to protest—to take full responsibility, to shield her from blame—but her glance silences me. This is her battle to fight.
"Even if that were true," the king counters, "it changes nothing. The alliance must proceed. Westland?—"
"Westland can have its alliance through trade agreements and military pacts." Lirien gestures to Prince Aldric. "It does not need my hand in marriage to secure it."
"Princess," Prince Aldric interjects, apparently feeling the need to defend his position, "our betrothal represents more than mere political convenience. It symbolizes the unification of our peoples, a visual representation of?—"
"I am not a symbol," Lirien cuts him off, though not unkindly. "I am a woman. A future queen. And I will not build my reign on a foundation of personal misery."
The king rises from his throne, patience exhausted. "Enough of this nonsense. Captain Vorex will face the consequences of his actions, and you, daughter, will fulfill your duty to this kingdom. The betrothal stands."
"Then you leave me no choice." Lirien's voice drops to a deadly calm. "I renounce my claim to the throne."
Shock ripples through the chamber. The king stares at his daughter as if she's sprouted a second head. "You cannot be serious."
"I have never been more serious." She meets his gaze unflinchingly. "I will not rule a kingdom that forces me to sacrifice my heart for political advantage. I will not wear a crown that weighs more than my happiness."
"Lirien," I interject, unable to remain silent, "don't do this. Not for me."
She turns to me, her eyes soft with emotion but her resolve unshakable. "Not just for you, Dain. For me. For the queen I wish to be—one who rules with both wisdom and compassion, who understands that duty without love becomes tyranny."
The king sinks back onto his throne, suddenly looking every one of his years. "You would abandon your birthright, your people, all for this... this guard?"
