Chained Hearts: From Slavery to Sovereignty
Chapter 68: You... love someone?

Chapter 68: Chapter 68: You... love someone?

"I cannot marry you."

A collective gasp swept through the entire hall; there were all types of reactions in the crowd: some shock, some neutral, and some were clearly waiting for the drama.

Vincent’s smile faltered for the first time in front of her, and a surprised murmur left his lips, "You...Cannot?"

Aurelia’s hands clenched at her side, but still she remained firm; she had already gained everyone’s attention, and now she could not falter.

She slowly raised her head and, with a confident look, announced,That is correct, Your Highness. I mean no disrespect to you or your kingdom, but I cannot accept a union built on obligation rather than mutual affection or understanding."

Queen Selena’s expression tightened as she looked at her disobedient daughter. If looks can kill, Princess Aurelia must be surely dead. Her grip tightened on the goblet as she was too crushed under her anger.

The expression of the king beside her was no better; he wore a disappointed expression.

In his authoritative voice he said, "Aurelia, this is not the right time or place for such declarations."

Aurelia’s spine stiffened as his cold words filled with anger. Even when he was absent from her life, he had never raised his voice against her. It was the first time.

Even when she was scared and sweet, rolled down her temples, she straightened her spine, and with a respectful posture neither humble nor arrogant, she said, "Forgive me, Father, but Prince Vincent deserves honesty. I cannot mislead him or the court."

The queen rose from her throne, and her icy gaze swept on Aurelia, and with a chilling tone she ordered,You have caused enough embarrassment for one evening, Aurelia. Apologize properly and excuse yourself."

When Aurelia was ready to be harshly rebuked by her mother, she was interrupted by Prince Vincent’s remarks.

"No need for further apologies, Your Majesties." He directed his words toward the king and queen, though his eyes lingered on Aurelia. "The princess has made her stance clear, and I admire her candor."

Aurelia blinked; she was momentarily caught off guard by his composed response. Was this the same prince who had so casually joked about marrying her just moments ago?

"However," Vincent continued with a playful smirk returning to his lips, and Aurelia’s mood dampened again as she looked at his never-ending smirk.

Ahh! How can this man change? She thought with a sarcastic look in her eyes as she waited for his next words.

"I’m not one to give up so easily."

The queen’s gaze softened slightly towards the prince, She sighed a barely visible relief and thought her daughter still has a chance.

The atmosphere that was tense moments ago seemed to ease as the cheering words of Prince Vincent.

Vincent receives admiring glances from everyone on his composed expression, and Aurelia receives several looks of envy.

The crowd was clear: how loyal Prince Vincent is! Even after direct rejection, he still stands his ground. who does not want such a loving partner.

Vincent chuckled and gestured toward a servant to fetch him a new coat. "And your wit is sharp, Princess. I look forward to more conversations with you—when you’re not armed with a glass of wine."

Laughter rippled through the hall at his remark, the tension easing into something lighter, though Aurelia knew the repercussions of this night were far from over, and her next word would prove this.

Aurelia’s jaw tightened, but she kept her face neutral and replied in a cold tone devoid of any emotions. "Your persistence is noted, Your Highness, but it is not required."

"I cannot marry you, Prince Vincent, because I love someone else."

The banquet hall descended into stunned silence again, as if the world itself had paused. Every head turned toward Princess Aurelia, their gazes locked on her as her words echoed in the grand chamber:

Gasp rippled through the entire hall; now everyone was shocked; they never thought the princess would be so bold as to announce her love life like this.

Vincent was also taken aback, his ever-present smirk faltering as genuine surprise flashed across his face. "You... love someone?" he asked in disbelief.

Aurelia’s chin lifted ever so slightly, her sapphire eyes steady and unwavering. "Yes, Your Highness. I do."

Before Vincent or anyone else could respond, the grand doors at the back of the banquet hall swung open with a resonant creak.

The light from the chandeliers illuminated the figures entering the room: a tall, blonde young man with striking blue eyes, followed closely by a figure in noble attire.

Cassian.

Aurelia’s gaze immediately found him, and her lips curved into a small, deliberate smile. She raised her hand ever so slightly and motioned towards the newcomer; her gesture was slight, but it implied the meaning clearly and powerfully without any words.

Everyone’s expression paled, and Queen Selena’s eyes were literally spitting fire.

Prince Vincent wore a wronged look, but his smirk could not be contained; he was ready for the upcoming drama. His eyes darted towards the figure of Cassian, and his smile got wider as he looked behind him.

"Perfect," his blood was boiling as his thoughts wandered. He looks forward to the reaction of Prince Dorian.

How would he react when he found out his moonlight had been stolen and become someone else’s moonlight? He raised the goblet to his mouth to hide his growing smirk.

The collective attention of the hall shifted toward Cassian, and the murmurs grew louder with each passing second. Everyone was guessing the identity of the newcomer. It was the first time they had seen him.

"Who is that?" a lady whispered to her neighbor, her voice laced with curiosity and surprise.

"Isn’t he the one who was lingering by the refreshments earlier?" a young lord, sitting nearby, remarked with a slight frown, eyeing Cassian suspiciously.

Another noblewoman leaned closer to her companion, her lips barely moving as she whispered, "Surely, he’s not a noble—look at how he carries himself. His demeanor is far too casual, almost... unfamiliar."

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