Chapter 6: I Am Already Married

Scritch. Scritch.

The golden-plated pen in her hand scraped roughly against the pile of magic papers spread across her desk. Strands of her white hair fell over her delicate face, yet Elysia let them be. Her gaze was wholly immersed in the arcane research she had developed on her own.

Knock. Knock.

A woman’s voice called from outside the door, warm yet familiar. “Ely, are you in there?”

Elysia halted her pen. She exhaled, then rose and opened the door with a blank expression.

“What is it?”

Standing before her was Irine, her twin sister, now nineteen years old, lips pursed in playful protest.

“Oh my, is that how you treat your own sister? So cold. You’ll never get married with an attitude like that.”

Without permission, Irine stepped into Elysia’s room and seated herself on the bed. Her slender fingers picked up one of the magic parchments Elysia had been working on, studying it intently.

She sighed. “Again and again. You’re so obsessed with magic. So, what kind of spell are you working on this time?” She looked at Elysia with eyes full of curiosity.

Elysia narrowed her eyes. “None of your concern.”

“Woah, as icy as ever,” Irine grinned, then playfully threw her arms around her sister. She pressed her sister’s cheeks gently, teasing her. “Oh, come on. Tell your dear sister, Ely. I may not be as smart as you, but I’m really curious about all these brilliant spells crafted by the youngest and greatest graduate in the history of the magic academy,” Irine teased gently.

Elysia grumbled. “Can’t you read the mood, Irine?”

“Te-hee.”

After graduating from the magic academy, Elysia had returned to the royal palace. She spent most of her time locked in her room or the underground chamber, developing spells that might one day lead her to the one she loved.

No one dared to disturb her. Her piercing, cold eyes instilled fear in nearly everyone, even her own parents. She had truly become a melancholic princess feared by all.

Except for one—Irine, her twin sister.

If Elysia was a white rabbit cold as ice, then Irine was a golden rabbit bright as the sun. She brought warmth wherever she went, always kind to everyone, including her distant sister.

“So... what brings you here?”

“Is it so wrong for an older sister to visit her little sister just to have fun?”

Irine sat at the edge of the bed, her slender fingers playing with her golden hair, which matched her laced gown and delicate jewelry.

Elysia sighed. “First, we were born only hours apart. Second, stop treating me like a child. Third, hurry up and state your purpose so I can send you away.”

Irine laughed, a soft and airy sound. But then her expression softened, her eyes filled with gentleness.

“You really can’t take a joke, can you, Ely? You must be so lonely.”

Elysia looked away, refusing to respond.

Yes. She was unbearably lonely. Deep in her heart, she longed to scream, “I miss him.” But her voice always got caught in her throat and never found its way out.

“I came to get you. Did you forget? Today’s our nineteenth birthday. Just like all rabbitman nobles, a priest will come to bless us and foretell our fate.”

“I’m not interested.”

“This isn’t about whether you’re interested or not, Ely. It’s tradition, a covenant made by our ancestors with the first priests and heroes. You’re much smarter than I am. You should understand that better than anyone.”

Elysia and Irine locked eyes. Cold stares and flat expressions clashed with warm smiles and eyes full of understanding.

“Come on, Ely. It won’t take long.” Irine’s rabbit ears twitched slightly.

“Haa... fine. It’s not political, after all. I’ll come.”

“Good. I’ll make you look even prettier. The people will gather to see us, just like they did with our sibling’s.”

In the end, Elysia chose to yield. Though she didn’t care for such matters, she was, after all, a member of the royal family. She had a duty—at the very least—to participate in its traditions.

Strangely enough, her family had always been kind in that regard. They never used her for political gain, knowing full well she abhorred it. She would always reject, even walk away, whenever talk of marriage or politics arose.

“This will be fun, won’t it, Ely?” Irine beamed with joy.

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Elysia remained silent. She simply let herself be dressed and adorned like a doll, submitting to her sister’s whims.

*******

The royal hall was packed with people. Some were dressed in dazzling gowns, shimmering with the pride of nobility. Crystal chandeliers adorned with embedded gemstones hung from the ceiling, casting a soft glow through the magic crystals nestled within them.

Tables were lined neatly along the edges of the hall, bearing luxurious food and drink. Plates of gold gleamed beside silver spoons and forks, adding to the opulence of the setting.

The scent of wine from the nobles’ glasses filled the air, mingling with their animated chatter in the midst of this sacred ceremony.

Srak... Srak...

The sound of high heels striking marble echoed with a calm yet heavy rhythm.

Creak...

The main doors of the hall opened slowly, revealing two young girls standing side by side. They were the stars of the night.

Irine and Elysia, the twin princesses of the kingdom, walked in with their arms gently linked. A striking contrast.

Irine smiled sweetly, clad in an ivory-yellow gown that matched her golden hair. Her dress glittered with opal gemstones, glowing under the chandelier’s light. Her rabbit ears stood tall with radiant confidence.

Elysia, on the other hand, moved with slow, measured steps in a gown of icy silver-white. Her expression was void of emotion, eyes sharp as blades. Her silvery-white hair flowed freely, making her look like a snow rabbit born of midwinter frost.

Dum... dum... dum...

Palace music began to play, soft and solemn, echoing through the grand hall as the twins walked along the crimson carpet.

Whispers rose from the gathered nobles. Though Elysia kept her head bowed, their voices rang clearly in her ears.

"Is that truly Princess Elysia?"

"I thought she wouldn’t attend... after the rumors..."

"She’s stunning… but that gaze… so terrifying..."

"She never smiles… always hiding away… how could someone like that survive in politics?"

Their eyes trailed after her, equal parts awe, curiosity, and fear. Many young noblemen dared not meet Elysia’s piercing gaze.

Stories of male students turned to ice for daring to court her during her time at the magic academy had already spread to the public. No one wished to draw her attention.

Instead, they cast their admiration on Irine, who smiled cheerfully and bowed graciously as if none of the attention was a burden.

The two ascended the sacred podium at the far end of the hall.

There stood an elderly woman in white robes embroidered with gold. A crystal staff glowed softly in her hand.

“Princess Irine,” the priestess called, her voice serene and warm. “Step into the center of the sacred circle.”

Irine glanced at Elysia and gave her a playful smile. “I’ll go first, Ely. Wish me luck, okay?” She winked before stepping forward.

Irine stood at the designated spot.

The priestess closed her eyes and began her incantation.

A soft blue light radiated from the sacred circle beneath Irine’s feet.

“I see... a fate filled with light. Love, laughter, and freedom. You shall be a protector of the royal family… and you will find your love among the common folk.”

Irine beamed at the prophecy. “Woah, thank you so much.” She clasped the priestess's hands. “I've always wished for a simple life, away from all this luxury and annoying politics.”

“You're welcome, my dear,” the old woman replied with a smile just as warm.

Applause followed from the guests. Irine gave a polite curtsy before returning to Elysia’s side.

“Your turn, Ely. I hope your fortune is just as beautiful.” She gave her another wink.

The priestess gestured for Elysia to step forward.

Expressionless. No hint of emotion crossed her face. Still, she stepped forward and stood in the center of the magical circle. The necklace on her neck trembled faintly, responding to the spiritual energy in the room.

But the moment the priestess opened her eyes… her body shuddered.

“…!”

Her eyes widened. Her staff fell, clattering against the marble floor. Without regard for decorum, she rushed forward and grasped Elysia’s arm tightly.

“My stars…! This… this cannot be...!”

Elysia frowned. “What did you see?”

The priestess stared at her, trembling with awe and dread. “Your fate… is in utter chaos… yet it holds unimaginable power… You—you shall become part of the Hero’s party. You will face the Demon King... and in the end… in the end...”

Elysia narrowed her eyes. This was why she had dreaded this ceremony. She knew something troublesome would come of it.

“You will marry the Hero.”

Gasps erupted through the hall. No more whispers. Surprise, joy, and disbelief collided in the air.

“What?! Marry the Hero?!”

“Elysia?!”

Irine smiled proudly. “Wow, that’s an incredible prophecy, Ely—” But her smile faded as she turned to look at her sister.

“Ely…?”

No joy shimmered in Elysia’s vacant eyes, only fury carved deep into her violet irises.

“What do you mean by that insane prophecy, old woman?!” Elysia’s grip tightened on the priestess’s arm, drawing blood. Her jaw clenched. Her eyes glared with ice and fire. “You better have a damn good explanation for your nonsense.”

The elderly woman winced in pain under Elysia’s furious grip.

“E-Ely… stop. You’re hurting her.”

Irine tried to intervene, but one look at Elysia’s blazing eyes made her take a frightened step back.

“Elysia, that’s enough!”

A powerful voice thundered from the podium where the King and Queen sat.

“Do not harm her! As a princess, you should know better! We have indulged you long enough!”

“Hah?!” Elysia snapped her head toward them, her gaze dark with seething anger.

Crash!

She shoved the priestess away. The woman staggered and fell to the ground.

“I do not care about the Hero.” Her voice was cold. Her jaw tight. “I do not care about fate… or this world…”

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Elysia stepped down from the podium. Each step rang heavy and deliberate in the stunned silence that blanketed the hall.

“Elysia, listen to your father. Apologize to the priestess now!”

But she ignored them all. Her steps did not falter, not even once.

The King had had enough of his selfish daughter. “Guards. Seize her!”

The soldiers rushed toward her.

Elysia stared at them like they were flies. Her chest ached. The world felt suffocating. Enough. She could think no longer.

Before the guards even reached her, their bodies froze into solid blocks of ice.

“I’ve had enough,” she whispered, her voice clear as frost.

The hall plunged into a numbing chill. Colder than any snowstorm. The walls began to ice over. Even the warming enchantments failed, as if the frost itself had devoured the magic.

People shivered uncontrollably, fleeing through the emergency exits. Only a few could endure the cold.

“Ely...” Her mother whispered her name, a soft murmur more to herself, as if mourning her failure to understand her own daughter.

Elysia ignored them all and kept walking. The velvet carpet beneath her feet froze with every step. She had become a storm of winter itself.

"Let me tell you one thing: I… am already married."

Her words echoed through the silent hall. Her gown billowed softly, her necklace shimmered faintly once more. Elysia walked on, leaving behind those who could only stare, frozen in disbelief.

“Priestess… what does all of this mean?” Irine held the trembling old woman in her arms. “Who… or what… is Ely, truly?”

The priestess shook her head slowly.

“...There is something... cloaking her soul…” she whispered. “Someone… or something… I cannot see…”