Soulbound: Dual Cultivation

The courtyard of the palace was alive with the sound of clashing hooves and the faint jingle of armor as the Emperor of Rus's entourage came to a halt at the grand entrance. The banners of Rus, dyed deep crimson and gold, flapped against the evening breeze, and the air itself seemed to shift with the arrival of the foreign ruler. The king of Valerion stood tall at the head of his court, his bearing regal and his expression firm as he stepped forward to greet his guest. Though all others bowed in reverence, bending their heads in acknowledgment of the emperor's stature, the king alone remained upright. Their eyes locked, and rather than a bow, they embraced one another with the familiarity of monarchs who understood the language of power and politics.

When they parted, the emperor turned with deliberate poise, moving with the heaviness of a man who knew his presence demanded recognition. His gaze first landed upon the queen, and with a faint, calculating smile, he took her hand into his own and pressed a kiss upon her knuckles. The queen inclined her head gracefully, her expression calm and unreadable, though her eyes betrayed little warmth. The emperor's lips lingered just a moment too long before he released her hand.

His attention shifted next to Prince Darius, who stood just beside his mother, a figure of strength in his own right. The emperor gave a short nod, his expression hard and unreadable, acknowledging the young prince with the briefest of gestures. He neither embraced nor extended a hand, offering only that curt gesture as though testing Darius's reaction. Darius, however, showed no offense. His face was calm, his back straight, and his hands clasped before him.

Then came Henrietta. The emperor's eyes softened, or rather attempted to...when they fell upon her. Stepping closer, he took her hand with surprising gentleness and kissed it. There was a glint in his eye, a fleeting spark of something that lingered in the silence between them. Henrietta inclined her head politely, though she said nothing, her face as unflinching and cold as still water. Her silence carried more weight than words could, and when he released her hand, she stepped back slightly, reclaiming the space between them.

Finally, the introductions carried him to Princess Nyx. She stood just a pace ahead, dressed in gown that gleamed softly, her beauty as radiant as the first break of dawn. She lowered herself into a slight bow, her movements smooth, graceful, practiced in courtly mannerisms that hid her inner turmoil. The emperor reached forward, his thick fingers curling gently around her delicate hand, and lifted it with exaggerated care. He bent low, pressing his lips against the back of her hand, and though the gesture was one of respect, there was an edge to it that made her stomach twist.

Nyx forced herself to remain still, her face composed, her eyes downcast. Yet inside, every fiber of her being recoiled. The emperor's face was harsh, his features coarse in a way that spoke more of aggression than dignity. His expressions were too sharp, his eyes too predatory. To Nyx, he was not charming, nor noble, nor even kind. He was ugly, not only in form but in the aura that clung to him like a shadow. His fierce gaze, his rough countenance, his cold smirk, it was all repulsive to her. She felt her heart sink as she withdrew her hand gently from his grasp, bowing once more to mask her discomfort.

But no matter how deeply she hid it, the truth resounded in her chest like a bell. She did not like him...not in the least. Though the moment was brief, though the ceremony of greeting demanded she play her role, Nyx already knew that the thought of being tied to him filled her with dread.

The Emperor complimented her beauty and Nyx forced a smile at the emperor's words, though deep within she was burning with unease. His praise was meant as a compliment, yet it weighed on her like a chain being fastened tighter around her wrists. Every word he spoke about her beauty felt more like a claim than admiration, and she sat silently, wishing for nothing more than for her father to succeed in persuading him to accept the new alliance terms. Her only hope was that the Rus emperor would not cling to the marriage arrangement, for the thought of binding her life to him filled her with dread.

"Come, my friend," The King said, his voice firm and touched with hospitality, "let us not remain standing here at the gates. A hall has been prepared in your honor. Let us eat, drink, and discuss as kings ought to."

The emperor's lips curled into something between a smile and a smirk, and he gave a hearty laugh that boomed across the courtyard. With a single nod, he accepted, and together they entered the great hall. The queen followed close behind, her face carefully composed though her eyes scanned everything with sharp awareness. Prince Darius walked at her side, calm and firm, while Henrietta moved with a slight distance, her sharp gaze never leaving the emperor and his entourage. Nyx trailed silently, her hands folded tightly before her gown, her mind clouded with thoughts of what the night's discussions would bring.

The hall itself was glowing with golden candlelight, the long tables set with silver dishes and an abundance of food prepared in honor of the emperor's visit. Roasted game, fresh fruits, spiced wine, and warm bread filled the air with rich aroma. The emperor of Rus was impressed at once, his dark eyes wandering over the spectacle as he took his seat opposite the king. "Valerion knows how to honor its guests," he said, raising a goblet of wine in salute. "You do me great favor, Your Majesty."

The king inclined his head slightly, but his sharp eyes never softened. "Valerion has always honored friendship."

The emperor chuckled and drank deeply from his cup, his beard glistening faintly as he lowered it again. His gaze fell once more on Nyx, and his expression shifted into a look of prideful satisfaction. "And I see that my soon-to-be bride is every bit as radiant as I was told. Talk of her beauty reached my ears long before my arrival, and I must confess...I am not disappointed."

Nyx's stomach churned as she forced her lips into a polite smile, her gaze lowered to her untouched cup of wine. The king gave a small, courteous nod.

As the feast continued, laughter rose from the emperor's side of the table, his men drinking heartily while the king maintained his careful poise.