The sun had only just begun to rise over the Amberhart estate, casting golden beams across the ornate marble corridors and grand archways of the ancient manor. Its rays filtered through the tall stained-glass windows, painting the floor in warm hues of crimson and gold — colors that matched the house's legacy, steeped in fire and power.
Rina Amberhart stepped out of her bedroom, her bare feet brushing against the plush velvet carpet that lined the floor. Her movements were slow, hesitant, like a prisoner walking toward judgment. The delicate scent of roses and sandalwood lingered in the air — the subtle perfume she had applied out of habit, though her heart was far too heavy for vanity today.
She wore a flowing deep scarlet gown that trailed behind her like blood on silk, tight at the waist but soft around the shoulders. The fabric shimmered slightly with every step she took, yet it could not disguise the tension in her posture. Her long, fiery red hair cascaded down her back in perfect waves, catching the morning light like a dancing flame. Every movement she made caused a ripple through her thick locks, each strand seeming to burn with her rising frustration. Her golden eyes — normally sharp and assertive — looked weary, dulled by a restless night of tears.
Her footsteps echoed in the corridor, though the palace was far from silent. The quiet rustle of curtains, the distant clinking of porcelain, the soft murmurs of maids beginning their daily tasks — all of it formed the usual morning symphony of the Amberhart household. But to Rina, the world felt muted. Detached.
She stopped in front of the tall double doors of her mother's study. The doors loomed above her, carved with the family crest — a blazing sun encircled by thorned roses. Her heart pounded against her ribcage as she lifted a trembling hand and pushed the door open.
The room inside was bathed in morning light. Golden sun spilled across polished wood floors and bookcases that stretched to the ceiling. Behind a grand mahogany desk sat Lady Amelia Amberhart, a vision of nobility and composure.
Her mother's beauty was arresting — timeless and regal. Crimson hair, a few shades darker than Rina's, was swept into an immaculate chignon at the nape of her neck, not a strand out of place. Her golden eyes were sharp and reflective, like finely cut gemstones, and her face — flawless, composed — bore no trace of warmth. She wore a sleek black gown with ruby accents, emphasizing her tall, statuesque figure. Her posture was impeccable. Her expression, unreadable.
Rina hesitated in the doorway.
"Come in," Amelia said without looking up, her voice as cool and crisp as morning frost. "I assume you're here to discuss the engagement."
Rina stepped forward, her breath catching in her throat. "Yes," she said, her voice quiet but firm. "I… I want to talk about it."
Amelia finally looked up from her papers, folding her hands over a thick envelope sealed with the crest of another noble house. The corners of her mouth turned down slightly — not quite a frown, but enough to show her displeasure at the topic.
"There's nothing to talk about," she said calmly. "The arrangement has been finalized. You will marry jene Roche."
"I don't even know him," Rina snapped, her hands clenching at her sides. "No one does! We don't know what he looks like, what he's like — nothing! And yet you expect me to marry him like it means nothing?"
Amelia rose slowly from her chair, moving with the grace of a queen and the stillness of someone who had mastered control long ago.
"You are not marrying a man, Rina. You are forming an alliance. One that will benefit our house in ways you clearly do not understand."
Rina flinched. "I don't want to be used like a pawn in some political game."
"You are not being used," Amelia said sharply, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly. "You are fulfilling your duty — as every Amberhart before you has. Our family did not rise to power through love stories and fairy tales. We forged our legacy with strategy, strength, and sacrifice."
"But what about what I want?" Rina's voice broke as she stepped forward. "What about my heart? You didn't even ask me! You just decided — like I'm nothing more than a piece on your board."
Amelia stared at her daughter for a long moment, then turned her gaze to the window, where sunlight poured in like molten gold. For a fleeting second, there was silence.
"You will thank me one day," she said at last, her voice a soft murmur. "When you understand what it means to carry the weight of a name like Amberhart."
"I already carry it," Rina whispered, tears stinging her eyes. "Every day. Every second. But I don't want to lose myself in it."
Amelia turned back to her, her expression unreadable. "You lost the right to choose long ago, Rina. The moment you were born into this family, your path was sealed."
Rina's lips trembled, her fists shaking. "You've always treated me like a tool. A means to an end. Why did you even have me?"
For the first time, something flickered in Amelia's gaze — something that might have been pain. But it vanished so quickly Rina thought she might have imagined it.
"I had you to ensure the Amberhart line would never falter," Amelia said coldly. "And now, you will do your part."
The words struck like a blade to the heart. Rina took a shaky step back, her breath ragged.
"This isn't love," she said, voice barely above a whisper. "It's tyranny."
Amelia didn't respond. She simply returned to her desk, picked up her pen, and resumed writing — as if the conversation had never happened.
Rina stood there a moment longer, her eyes wide with disbelief, then turned and walked out. Her gown whispered against the marble floor, her perfume lingering in the air like a fading memory. Behind her, the doors closed with a quiet click.
And the silence that followed was deafening.
........
heat: I hope you like the chapter and the new novel. Okay, I know there are spelling mistakes that I will fix later. Thank you very much for reading.Well at least I don't have any exams anymore. Please, if you have any ideas to make the story better, or there is something you want to ask about, or there is something you want to improve, let me know. 😀