Chapter 212 Lira

• Nyxara
• The grand hall was filled with laughter and chatter, a warm contrast to the icy silence that had defined the carriage ride. The wedding guests were all impeccably dressed, exuding wealth and influence—exactly the kind of people Varek seemed at ease with. I, on the other hand, felt like a stranger in a foreign land. The ornate decorations, the sweeping gowns, and the polished nobility were all part of a world I wasn’t used to, a world I wasn’t sure I wanted to belong to.
• Still, I kept my head high, following Varek as he led me around to greet the guests. His grip on my hand was firm but impersonal, more for show than affection. I swallowed my irritation, knowing that tonight I had to play the role of the dutiful wife.