Chained Hearts: From Slavery to Sovereignty
Chapter 67: I cannot marry you

Chapter 67: Chapter 67: I cannot marry you

Cassian’s breath caught in his throat as Dorian reached out to brush a stray lock of hair from his face. The gesture was brief; it did not last long, but it left a warmth on his face that lingered even after Dorian had stepped back.

"Thank you for the dance," Dorian said with a hint of ambiguity in his voice.

Cassian nodded and said in almost a whisper, "It was an honor, Your Highness."

And without waiting for Dorian’s response, he turned around and began to walk back to the banquet.

Dorian remained rooted at the spot as he looked at the retreating figure of Cassian; he was almost running away in the direction of the banquet hall.

A smile appeared on Dorian’s face. The cool night air wrapped around him, but all he could feel was the lingering heat in his hand and the shy look of Cassian.

He did not know if it was for better or worse, but something had shifted between them. And Dorian wasn’t sure if he was ready to face what that meant.

Inside the banquet hall, the guests were enjoying themselves as usual, some chatting and laughing, while others were busy dancing and trying to matchmake their children.

Princess Aurelia looked at her back and sighed heavily; she finally stopped and looked at him with irritation in her eyes. and said in a strained voice, "Prince Vincent, don’t you think it is embarrassing to trail behind someone, especially for someone of your status?"

Vincent chuckled and, with mirth dancing in his eyes, replied, "Princess, Did someone tell you that you are blunt?"

If you are not shying away from bluntly following a princess, why would I shy away from pointing it out, Prince Vincent? Aurelia replied with a grit of her teeth. her patients almost wearing out.

Whatever she had decided for today, nothing works. first that lady Isolde and knows him, who was not behaving like a typical prince; instead, he was behaving like a hooligan.

She had clearly done every possible thing to make him look down on her as a princess. But this man finds it more fascinating than her. Now she is really at her limits. If this continued, then she would really snap at him, and too badly.

"Why are you avoiding me, princess?" Vincent asked in an amused tone. He could clearly feel the princess was annoyed by him. but still he finds fun in this. "After all, we’re not strangers anymore after such an eventful evening."

Aurelia kept her expression neutral and lifted the goblet to her lips to avoid answering him immediately. The wine did little to quench the fire of frustration building inside her.

Vincent leans closer to her and whispers in a slow and deliberate voice, "You know, a union between us would not be so terrible.

I can’t say I’m entirely averse to the idea of marrying you. After all, the queen wanted this too."

He said and stepped backwards and gave her a sweet smile, but to Aurelia it felt like a devil was luring her into his trap.

His words are like rubbing salt in her wounds; she could see that he had no pure intentions towards her; he was just toying with her.

Her fingers tightening around the stem of the goblet. She glared at him with her red eyes, but his smile only deepened.

"I beg your pardon, Your Highness?" she said in a cold tone.

Vincent chuckled softly, the sound grating against her nerves. "Come on, Princess. You clearly know what I mean, he said with a wink.

Aurelia’s chest heaved as she struggled to keep her composure. Her mind raced with countless possibilities. The thought of being trapped in a marriage to this arrogant man was unbearable.

She could clearly feel the gazes of nearby nobles, who were watching them with intense gazes or maybe waiting for the drama to unfold.

Aurelia tilted her goblet ever so slightly, as if adjusting her grip. For a fleeting moment, the idea of splashing the wine onto his smug face tempted her. Her fingers trembled, but at the last second, she redirected the movement.

The crimson liquid cascaded out of the goblet, splashing across Vincent’s pristine coat in a deliberate yet seemingly accidental motion.

The sound of the spill and Vincent’s sharp intake of breath cut through the chatter of the hall like a blade.

The room fell silent.

everyone’s attention shifted towards them. the once-buzzing banquet now eerily quiet. The nobles’ expression ranged from shock to fear, and some even clearly enjoying the show, waiting to see the downfall of royalty.

Aurelia decided to continue her act; she exclaimed and widened her eyes as she had made a grave mistake,

"Oh, my goodness, Prince Vincent!" She said and attempted to wipe the stain, but it had gotten worse as she rubbed it too hard. and smeared on it his entire clothes.

"I’m terribly sorry. How clumsy of me.". Aurelia said with a sad voice, but her face was entirely different from her sad voice. She was secretly hiding her smile while attempting to wipe his coat.

She was facing back to everyone and bowing her head so no one could see her expression, but her little antics were seen by Vincent. his lips curled up; he was not bothered at all by the wine-stained attire.

But the soft hand of the princess was really bothering him. So he held her hand, which was wandering on his body, and said coolly, No need for this hassle, princess.

"No need to apologize, Princess," he said smoothly, though his voice carried a hint of edge. "Accidents happen."

Queen Selena’s expression soured immediately. She rose from her seat, her icy gaze fixed on her daughter.

Queen Selena’s lips thinned into a harsh line, her expression betraying her barely contained fury.

Beside her, the king’s face was etched with disappointment, his brow furrowing as he exchanged a glance with his queen.

Aurelia stepped back tactically; the look in Vincent’s eyes had scared her slightly. She realized her mistake that she had really gotten too close to him.

her chest rising and falling in a deliberate attempt to calm herself.

She lowered herself into a deep bow, her voice carrying through the hushed hall with practiced sincerity.

"Prince Vincent," she began with a steady but soft tone. "I deeply apologize for my carelessness. It was entirely unintentional and unbecoming of me to cause you such discomfort."

Vincent raised an eyebrow, his smirk lingering as he regarded her. "A sincere apology from a princess—how rare."

Straightening her back, Aurelia met his gaze directly, her sapphire eyes unwavering. "I take full responsibility for my actions, Your Highness.

But as for your earlier question..." She paused, her words hanging in the air like a blade about to fall.

"I cannot marry you."

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