The golden sun poured through the tall stained-glass windows as Elira walked beside Prince Elric through the palace corridor. Her silk slippers scuffed against the smooth marble, trying to keep pace with his long, deliberate strides.
"I still don't understand why you just announced our marriage in front of half the kingdom without asking me first," she huffed.
"I did tell you," he replied coolly, hands clasped behind his back. "Last night."
"Yes, in your cursed-beast-den of secrets, while I was still processing whether or not I was going to die! That doesn't count as proper communication!"
He glanced at her sideways, lips twitching. "So dramatic."
She narrowed her eyes. "Oh, I'm dramatic? You're the one who casually decides to marry a complete stranger from another world."
"You're not a stranger," he replied simply. "You're mine."
She stopped mid-step, blinking. "I'm sorry—what?"
Elric turned back and tilted his head slightly, amused by her stunned expression. "I meant you're my responsibility."
"Sure," she muttered. "Sounded very possessive-vampire-in-a-dark-romance for a second there."
He smirked, clearly enjoying this. "Would you prefer I were more poetic? I could declare my undying love and eternal torment."
"Ugh," she groaned. "You're impossible."
"Flattering."
They resumed walking, though Elira was clearly still annoyed.
"Okay, serious question," she said, stepping in front of him to block his path. "Why me? Really. You have two perfectly terrifying, glitter-covered noblewomen who would kill to marry you. Why pick me—the confused outsider who asks too many questions and has no royal blood?"
He paused, gaze steady.
"Because you don't worship the crown," he said simply. "You challenge it."
Her breath caught.
"But that's not all," he added, stepping close, almost brushing past her shoulder. "You saw me. In the mirror. You didn't scream. You didn't run until you had to. And when I tell you no one else has ever done that… I mean it."
"I didn't exactly stay and offer you tea either," she mumbled, trying to ignore how warm his presence was so close.
Elric chuckled, deep and quiet. "You ask questions. You talk back. You stomp when you're irritated."
She stopped. "I do not stomp."
"You stomp," he teased, grinning now. "It's cute."
"I'm not trying to be cute!" she snapped.
"Exactly why you are."
She threw her hands up, exasperated. "How are you like this? A cursed prince one minute and a charming menace the next?"
He leaned down just slightly, eyes locked on hers. "Multitalented."
She stared at him for a long second, her cheeks warming before she quickly turned and marched ahead, muttering under her breath, "Arrogant royal prince.."
He followed at a leisurely pace, clearly enjoying himself.
"Elira?"
"What?"
"You're still stomping."
"Ughhh!"
And somewhere behind her, his quiet laugh echoed down the corridor.