In the Shadow of the Crown

Chapter 54: The Wedding of Raen and Eliza

The Struggle for the Engagement

Before the grand wedding, before the vows were spoken, before Eliza became his completely - there had been resistance. The noble houses of Luvein, bound by centuries of tradition and political ambition, had not welcomed the idea of their future king wedding a mere countess, no matter how noble her blood.

The council chamber had been filled with murmurs of discontent the day Raen announced his intent to marry Eliza Valienne.

“She is beneath you,” Duke Marcell of House Erelan had scoffed. “A countess, no matter how refined, cannot stand as queen. The royal bloodline demands a stronger match.”

Others nodded in agreement. Lord Vincent of House Arvel had leaned forward, his aged eyes calculating. “If you must marry, take a princess from the northern kingdoms. Strengthen the empire’s position. A political marriage is what the realm needs, not… sentiment.”

Raen had listened. He had let them speak, let them reveal their ambitions, their greed.

And then, when the room had settled, he had spoken.              

“You all mistake me for a man who can be swayed,” Raen had said, his voice smooth but firm. His golden eyes swept across the lords like a blade. “You speak of alliances, yet forget that I am the empire’s greatest weapon. I do not need foreign kings to secure my rule. The people already bow to me.”

Marcell had scowled. “And what of legacy? What of the purity of the royal line?”

Raen had smiled, a slow, dangerous smile.

“Eliza Valienne is the daughter of one of the most respected noble houses. Her lineage is as noble as yours. But more importantly, she is mine.” He had let the weight of those words settle over them. “I have given you my decision. You may either accept it, or you may waste your breath resisting the inevitable. But know this - when I ascend the throne, those who stood with me will prosper.”

There had been silence.

Then, one by one, the nobles had relented.

Not because they agreed. But because they understood.

Raen never threatened them. He never raised his voice. And yet, by the time the council ended, the engagement had been secured.

And so, a month later, the bells rang to announce the wedding that none had been able to stop.

***

The entire empire bore witness to the day Eliza Valienne became Raen’s queen.

The ceremony was held in the grand cathedral of Luvein, its towering spires reaching toward the heavens. Golden banners adorned the stone walls, while thousands gathered in the streets, desperate for a glimpse of their new queen.

Eliza stood at the entrance, her ivory gown flowing behind her like a river of silk. Jewels glittered in her dark hair, and a sheer veil obscured her face, adding to the air of mystique that surrounded her.

But beneath the veil, she did not tremble.

There was no fear in her heart. Only an overwhelming certainty.

She stepped forward.

Raen stood at the altar, dressed in ceremonial black and gold, his golden eyes never leaving her.

The sacred vows were spoken. Blood was drawn to seal the marriage in the ancient way of the empire. And when the priest turned to Eliza and asked the final question....

“Eliza Valienne, do you vow to stand beside Raen, to honor, obey, and belong to him until the end of time?”

She answered without hesitation.

“Yes.”

The moment her veil was lifted, Raen took her lips in a deep, claiming kiss before the entire empire. Cheers erupted, the nobles applauded, but Eliza heard none of it.

Because Raen was all that existed.

And she was his.

***

The grand halls of the palace fell silent as the new king led his bride away from the celebration.

The royal chamber was prepared - lit by candlelight, the silk-draped bed waiting in the center of the room.

Eliza followed without question, her heart beating only for him.

Raen watched her, his golden eyes burning with dark satisfaction. “You are mine now, Eliza.”

She did not resist. She did not even think of resisting.

She wanted to belong to him.

And as the night deepened, she did.

***

Raen sat at the edge of the bed, watching Eliza as she slept.

She was breathtaking - his perfect queen.

But… it was not enough.

Though she obeyed him without question, though her heart belonged to him entirely, he could still see traces of thought in her eyes. She loved him, yes - but love was not the same as complete control.

He wanted more.

He wanted perfection.

The nobles had questioned his choice, had whispered behind his back. But soon, they would envy him. They would look upon Eliza and know that no other woman in the world compared to her.

She would be the first of her kind. And the last.

He rose from the bed and crossed the chamber, taking out parchment and ink.

His letter was detailed, precise—every word calculated.

[To the Grand Magus of the Black Tower,
I have a request. My queen is already exquisite, but I require more. I want her will to dissolve into complete devotion, her thoughts never straying from me. I desire a method that will bind her to me beyond any mortal or magical bond. It must be subtle - no visible changes, nothing the world can detect. But she must be the first and only of her kind - an unparalleled masterpiece. A doll like no other.

No other man must ever be able to recreate this. I want her to be the only one.

She must not feel the magic upon her. She must not resist, must not even realize she has changed. Her only thoughts should be of me, her only purpose to please me.

Tell me what must be done to achieve this perfection. Name your price. Come to the palace immediately.

—Raen, King of Luvein]

Sealing the letter, he summoned a servant.

“Deliver this at once.”

The servant bowed and hurried away.

Raen returned to the bed, brushing a strand of hair from Eliza’s face. She stirred slightly, murmuring his name in her sleep.

He smiled.

But there was still one matter to decide.

Originally, he had considered taking Eliza on a journey - a week-long trip away from the capital. But now, he realized that would be premature.

Not yet.

Not until she was perfect.

He would keep her here, in the royal palace. Their honeymoon would wait.

He needed to hear from the magus first, to know exactly how Eliza would become his ultimate masterpiece. Once the transformation was complete - once he was sure of her absolute devotion - then they would leave the palace.

Then, and only then, he would let her see the world outside these walls.

But until then… she would remain by his side.

Completely his.