Part 3/9:
Upon their arrival, the contrast between their bleak northern home and the prosperity of Aurea is stark. Elodie takes in the majestic castle and the promise of a brighter future, yet she cannot shake a sense of unease. On the night before the wedding, she observes odd behaviors within the castle and a haunting figure—a girl her age, who abruptly vanishes. The following day, Elodie and Prince Henry meet, and amidst the tension, she learns of an odd ceremony honoring their ancestors, one that is tied to their impending union.
However, darkness lurks beneath the castle’s splendor. Lord Bayford’s distress is palpable, indicating that the wedding may fulfill a far more sinister purpose.