Chapter 226: v2- - 45: the emperor’s decision IV

Marian could hardly believe it.

She looked at Adrian as though she were afraid that if she blinked, the moment would disappear.

"You really mean it."

"I do."

A breathless laugh escaped her.

"We’re going to be married."

Adrian’s mouth curved.

"We are."

Marian laughed again.

The happiness in her face was almost impossible to contain.

She had planned a wedding before.

She remembered it clearly.

The cathedral.

The announcement.

The invitations.

The preparations.

She had chosen those things with genuine excitement because she had loved Cassian.

She had believed she was going to marry him.

She had believed that was the life waiting for her.

And then it had all disappeared.

The wedding date had passed.

Cassian had never returned.

For a long time afterward, Marian had been afraid that perhaps she would never feel that kind of happiness again.

But she had eventually understood that loving someone who was gone did not mean she had to stop living.

She had returned to the capital.

She had begun thinking about her future.

At first, Adrian had been the practical choice.

Then somewhere along the way, he had become something more.

She had fallen in love with him again.

And now he was standing before her, telling her they were going to be married.

The realization sent a rush of happiness through her.

She wasn’t frightened.

She wasn’t thinking about the wedding that had failed.

She was simply surprised.

She hadn’t expected this.

Not yet.

She had only been back in the capital for a little over seven weeks.

She had thought she would spend months meeting people, considering her choices, deciding what kind of future she wanted.

Instead, Adrian had looked at her and decided.

Her smile grew.

"What happens now?"

Adrian raised a brow.

"Now?"

"Yes."

She was already thinking ahead.

"The announcement?"

Her eyes brightened.

"The court will need to know. And my father. And Valmont."

She paused.

"And the wedding."

The last word came out softer.

Adrian watched her.

She was already imagining it.

Not replacing what she had once felt for Cassian.

Not pretending that wedding had never mattered.

Simply allowing herself to imagine another future.

One that had not existed when she first returned.

And for one moment, Adrian simply enjoyed seeing her this happy.

Then the old instinct stirred.

Test her.

The thought came quietly.

He could ask her something.

Make her prove it again.

See whether this happiness would survive once the excitement faded.

The impulse was familiar.

But Adrian looked at her again.

At the light in her eyes.

At the smile she could not hide.

No.

Not now.

He pushed the thought away.

She had just agreed to marry him.

He would not ruin this moment.

There would be time enough later.

He had already decided that she would be his wife.

For now, he could simply let her be happy.

"The announcement can be made as soon as I give the order," he said.

Marian’s eyes widened.

"So soon?"

"There is no reason to delay it."

Her smile returned.

"And the wedding?"

"The Imperial Household will arrange it."

Marian blinked.

Of course.

She had almost forgotten how these things worked.

They had been preparing for Adrian’s wedding since he was Crown Prince.

The ceremonies.

The protocols.

The arrangements.

The court had always been prepared for the day their future Emperor would marry.

Only the circumstances had changed.

And, somehow, the bride had not.

Marian smiled.

"I need to tell my father."

"Yes."

"And Clara."

"Naturally."

"And everyone will know."

"They will."

Marian laughed softly.

She looked down at their joined hands.

Then back at him.

"I didn’t think it would happen this quickly."

Adrian’s gaze rested on her.

"Neither did I."

It was almost true.

Marian smiled.

She had no idea how quickly everything had changed.

Only about two months ago, she had returned to the capital wondering whether she could build another life.

Now she was going to marry the Emperor.

And for the first time since Cassian’s disappearance, the future did not feel like something she had merely accepted.

It felt like something she was looking forward to.

She squeezed Adrian’s hand.

And smiled.

For a moment, neither of them said anything.

Then footsteps approached.

Marian glanced toward the corridor.

An aide appeared and bowed.

"Your Majesty."

Adrian turned.

"Yes?"

"The ballroom is awaiting your return."

Adrian nodded.

"We’ll return shortly."

The aide bowed again.

He was about to withdraw when Adrian spoke.

"Before we return, have the announcement prepared."

The aide straightened.

"Of the engagement, Your Majesty?"

Adrian glanced at Marian.

"No."

His voice was calm.

"Inform the court that I have asked Lady Marian Valmont to marry me, and that she has accepted."

Marian’s eyes widened.

The aide bowed deeply.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Have the Imperial Household begin the wedding preparations immediately."

"At once."

"And have the official announcement sent to the papers for tomorrow morning."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The aide withdrew.

Marian stared at Adrian.

"You really are doing this."

"I told you I would."

Her smile slowly returned.

There was something almost dizzying about it.

Only moments ago, she had been wondering what would happen next.

Now the answer was already moving through the palace.

The court would know tonight.

The capital would know tomorrow.

And the preparations for her wedding would begin immediately.

Not a possibility.

Not a distant promise.

It was happening.

Marian laughed softly.

"I don’t know whether I should be nervous or excited."

"Which are you?"

She looked at him.

"Excited."

Adrian’s mouth curved.

"Good."

He offered her his arm.

"Come."

Marian slipped her hand through it.

Together, they turned toward the ballroom.

She could already imagine the whispers that would follow.

The looks.

The congratulations.

The gowns.

The ceremony.

The cathedral.

Everything was suddenly real.

She looked up at Adrian.

And smiled.

For the first time in weeks, she wasn’t wondering whether he would choose her.

He had.

And tonight, the entire court would know it.

--

To be continued