Lyla

Lyla POV:

As I sat in the opulent chamber, getting ready for Noah's coronation, a whirlwind of emotions engulfed me. The room buzzed with maids flitting around, their hands skillfully working on my hair and makeup. Each stroke of the brush, each pinning of a curl felt like a step closer to a destiny I wasn't sure I wanted.

I glanced at my reflection in the mirror. The woman looking back at me was draped in a gown that cascaded down in waves of shimmering fabric, its icy blue hue reminiscent of a winter sky. It was stunning, yet it felt like a costume, a disguise masking my true self.

My thoughts drifted to Noah. Our last argument about not seeing my family lingered bitterly in my mind. He had been relentless every night, trying to establish a physical connection, but I had firmly held my ground. Each time I gave in to the smallest of his advances, a sense of betrayal gnawed at me, leaving me feeling dirty and ashamed. Why did it feel like I was betraying someone when Noah was my desti