IPWDP 14

Chapter 14:

The Great Temple was vast enough to hold hundreds of people. Sunlight filtered through the enormous stained-glass windows, bathing the temple’s interior in a cascade of radiant colors. Ephelia gazed blankly at the vivid hues that filled the grand space before turning her eyes toward the altar.

According to theology, God had prepared a destiny for every person—not a path for their entire life, but a single counterpart meant only for them. The one person destined by divine will. Thus, no place was more fitting than the temple to meet and unite with one’s destined partner.

The young lady of the ducal house—hailed as the Jewel of the Empire—wore a dazzling white gown. Her eyes ached at the sight of the crimson silk laid over the white marble floor. From the tiara adorning her head, a long lace veil cascaded gracefully down her back.

Hand in hand with her lifelong companion, the bride walked the long path from the entrance of the temple to the altar—each step a stride toward the future. Her face shone brighter and more beautifully than the diamond-studded tiara she wore, and the groom’s expression was one of blissful contentment. It was the union of two souls recognized by God Himself as destined partners.

The ceremony joining two of the Empire’s most powerful ducal families was attended by the imperial family and countless nobles. Among them, Ephelia’s gaze rested upon the Emperor and Empress, the Crown Prince, and beside them, the Emperor’s only brother, Grand Duke Astril, with his family.

The Emperor, through his brilliant rule, had solidified the Empire’s standing and earned immense support from his people. Though the Pope’s influence was not what it once was, the temple’s position remained secure, for every wedding—be it of nobles or commoners—was still conducted within its sacred walls.

The Pope bestowed his blessing, and the names of the two nobles were recorded in the marriage register, sealing their union. Many young noblewomen watched the scene with enchanted eyes. To be bound by destiny—it was a story too sweet and dreamy for a girl’s heart to resist.

But Ephelia felt no such thrill. When she turned her gaze from the altar, it caught on someone she could not look away from. It was an involuntary pull—something no human will could resist.

A boy, his beauty so striking it seemed almost cruel, wore a cold, indifferent expression that marred his flawless face. Their eyes met for a fleeting moment.

Then, as if it had been a coincidence, the boy turned his head away. The distance between them was too great for her to be certain—but just before he looked away, his beautiful features had twisted ever so slightly, as though in distaste.

She hoped it was her imagination—but she was sure. He had looked at her with that pained expression. Because she was his destiny. Because he was hers.

That boy was the one God had chosen as Ephelia’s destined partner.

The grand ceremony that had lasted from morning till late afternoon finally ended, and as the sun dipped low, the banquet began. It was held at the ducal mansion. Since it was the marriage of two ducal heirs—an exceedingly rare event in the Empire—even the Emperor, Empress, and Crown Prince remained to attend the celebration.

No noble dared to skip or leave early from a banquet attended by the Emperor himself. They lingered around the imperial couple, waiting eagerly for a chance to be addressed. Naturally, the first to receive the Emperor’s attention were the newlyweds. Ephelia watched them from a distance.

“Why are you standing here instead of joining them?”

Ephelia looked up to see who had spoken—it was Duke Milium, her father.

“Father.”

No—more precisely, her adoptive father. The current Duke Milium was originally her uncle. After the previous Duke and Duchess—Ephelia’s biological parents—were killed in an accident, his younger brother inherited the title and took his orphaned niece as his adopted daughter.

“The seat beside the Crown Prince is your rightful place. Why are you standing here in a corner?”

“His Highness would be more comfortable without me there. Besides, I’m only his fiancée for now, not yet part of the imperial family.”

She had not yet been granted the imperial surname. When Ephelia quietly stated this fact, Duke Milium’s face twisted in irritation.

“You foolish, clueless girl. Do you think the Crown Prince will come to you if you just stand here? You should go to him first—smile, charm him a little!”

His tone was harsh, but his face remained gentle and kind. To an outsider, it would seem as if he were a doting father. Soon, his expression softened further.

“Darling, don’t scold her like that. Ephelia just doesn’t know better,” said the Duchess—his wife and Ephelia’s adoptive mother. Like her husband, her voice was sweet, but her words were laced with cruelty.

“You really have no sense, sister,” came a sharp voice. It was Selune, the couple’s real daughter. “Do you think His Highness will come to you if you stay far away? He doesn’t even like you.”

Ephelia said nothing.

“Come now, Ephelia. Let’s go together,” said the Duke, offering his hand. Ephelia took it, and together they approached the Emperor at the center of the hall, followed by the Duchess and Selune.

Her heart pounded painfully as they drew nearer to the Crown Prince. For all her dread, she was a lady of one of the Empire’s greatest houses—a duke’s daughter, the Crown Prince’s fiancée, and his destined partner. Yet, there was a reason she could not bring herself closer.

“The ruler of the Empire greets you,” said Duke Milium, bowing deeply.

“Ah, Duke Milium,” the Emperor acknowledged him.

“Your Majesty,” Ephelia said, curtseying gracefully, her skirt sweeping over the floor like rippling silk.

“Where have you been, Ephelia? Why weren’t you by Regios’ side? What were you doing, Regios?” the Emperor asked with a chuckle.

The Crown Prince, Regios, smiled faintly. Beneath that smile, Ephelia sensed displeasure. Was it because she was his destined partner?

“Ephelia, have you been well?” he asked.

“Yes, thanks to Your Majesty’s concern,” she replied softly.

“You’ve grown so much, Ephelia. You’re ready to marry Regios now.”

“Oh, but she’s still so young,” the Duchess interjected, feigning the reluctance of a mother unwilling to let go of her child. She had practiced the act so well that no one doubted her sincerity.

“Is that so? Ha ha. I’m grateful you think of her as your own. After such tragedy, it’s good she wasn’t left alone,” the Emperor said kindly.

Ephelia’s father, the late Duke, had been one of the Emperor’s closest aides. But her uncle, the current Duke, held far less influence. Even so, the opportunity to converse with the Emperor—even briefly, and only through Ephelia—was enough to earn the envy of many nobles.

“I still think of the late Duchess often,” said the Duke.

“Yes, she was a dear friend of the Empress,” the Emperor replied.

“And Meristo and Keyran… what a pity. They were such clever, bright boys.”

Indeed, the tragedy had taken not only her parents, but also her two brothers—the steadfast, kind eldest and the mischievous, lively second—as well as her grandfather. In a single day, Ephelia had lost everyone who loved her.

“At least Ephelia survived,” said the Emperor.

“Yes, it’s fortunate we could take her in,” replied the Duke with a pleasant smile. “Ephelia is my daughter now.”

He smiled warmly, the picture of benevolence. But Selune’s expression soured slightly. Unlike her parents, she lacked the self-control to mask her irritation at being ignored. Still, she held her composure—for the Crown Prince was watching.

Her gaze lingered subtly on Regios.

“I’m grateful for that,” said the Emperor. “She’ll be family to us soon, after all.”

Though the Duke and Duchess now held their titles, they had no true connection to the imperial line. Their closeness to the royal family existed solely because they were responsible for Ephelia’s well-being.

That was the only reason they showed her even a facade of kindness.

Because Ephelia was Regios’ destined partner—because she would one day join the imperial family.

Otherwise, they would have married her off to some convenient noble house long ago and been done with her.