Chapter 14 Ana, Please

Darius
I strode down the hall, my heart heavy with a burden I could not shake nor understand, the sound of my footsteps echoing in the vast emptiness of the palace. Why would my parents insist on this marriage? Anger boiled within me at the thought of being bound to Lady Cassandra Montrose—that icy blue-eyed princess who moved through the court like a serpent, poised and ready to strike. A wave of bitterness washed over me; how could they not see the cunning ambition lurking beneath her charming exterior?
As I approached my room, an alluring piano melody wafted through the air, drawing me in despite my inner turmoil. The notes danced gracefully, weaving together a tapestry of sound that seemed to celebrate life itself. Whoever was responsible for this enchanting music surely possessed extraordinary talent, but right now, I couldn't care less about their artistic prowess. In fact, the sheer beauty of the music only fueled my anger further. Why the fuck should I be celebrating when my life was a mess, tangled in a web of politics and false smiles?