The Prince They Called Broken Claimed Me

My fiancé Seraphian was the commander of the Light Knights. He was sacred, restrained, and untouchable. I was the royal high priestess. I tried to tempt him many times, but he never lost control. I used to think he had sealed away all desire until the night before our wedding when I saw Seraphian kneeling beside Laurel's bed. Her limp hand closed around him, and his whole body went rigid, hot. and feverish. Laurel! The only reason I agreed to marry your sister was so I could come see you every single day. After that night, I tore up our betrothal scroll. I'm not marrying Seraphine anymore; I'm marrying Arthur. Yeville, have you lost your mind? Arthur was mutilated by a cursed blade three years ago. Everyone says he can't even sleep with a woman now. He beats people half to death over nothing. You're marching straight to your grave if you marry him. I gently pulled my hand free. Mother. At this point, it does not matter who I marry. Besides, do you really think we can refuse the Imperial Family? In the receiving hall, Father was smiling from ear to ear. He poured tea for the envoys himself. It is an honor that His Majesty would consider my daughter, but my eldest daughter still sleeps under a holy curse, and my second daughter is bound to the Lanke family by engagement. An engagement is still only a contract. Father's hands began to shake. The August Imperial Family ruled the Empire, and even the Sunday Temple stood under its protection. My family had served the Temple for generations. And no name in the Imperial family was more feared than Prince Arthur's. As Father hesitated, the envoy looked straight at. me. If Lady Yithra Velian agrees to marry His Highness, the Imperial family will offer a vassal of sacred sunblood as the bride gift. I hear it has awakened sleepers sealed by curses before. I watched my father's eyes light up instantly. I'll do it just like that. My marriage was decided after the envoys left. Father frowned at me. Yvette, haven't you always loved Seraphine? Why so suddenly? I did not answer because every time I thought of what I had seen that night, my heart ached unbearably. My 10 years of devotion suddenly felt like a joke.

Aurora approached, a bright smile on her face. You must have enjoyed yourself while I was in a coma, didn't you? You even took my betrothal to Seraphia. I looked at her in silence. Father told me it was Arthur's sacred son blood that woke me. but do not expect me to thank you. Remember this clearly, Evetteyou will always live in my shadow, just like when we were children. You only ever got what I had already grown tired of. Before I could answer, Aurora suddenly raised the chalice. She poured the golden wine over herself. Her scream cut through the feast hall. Seraphian rushed straight to Aurora. Before I could explain, what have you done? Seraphian drew his holy sword and pointed it at me. A sharp wave of force struck me. Blood instantly stained my dress. Aurora hides against Seraphine's chest, flashing me a triumphant smile. But what hurt more was the way he looked at me, full of disgust. My eyes burned; I forced myself to turn away before anyone could see me break. But the moment I stepped outside, I saw a runaway warhorse charging toward a child. A child stood in its path. He was frozen in fear in that split second. I rushed forward and shoved him out of the way. Its ironshod hoof scraped across my leg and crushed me against the stone steps, searing pain through my body. Through the blur, I saw Seraphine take. one hesitant step toward me. "I'm so scared! I feel dizzy! " Seraphine held Aurora at arms' length, then he turned away without hesitation. When I woke up again, Emma was sitting beside my bed in the temple healing chamber. She was cursing through her. tears"Seraphine, that bastard! "Stop crying, Emma, remember I'm marrying. Arthur Then Emma cried even harder.

The vial of sacred sunblood worked. Within three days, Aurora woke up. Father was overjoyed to prepare a celebration feast for her. Temple guests gathered beneath the high ceiling. That was when I saw Aurora. She was wearing the gown mother had spent months making for me. "Yvette, may I borrow this gown for tonight? "I just woke up, I had no time to prepare a new gown. Mother tugged at my sleeve. Your sister just recovered. Let her have it. I forced a smile. Of course. Aurora lowered her eyes. May the light bless you. But as I turned away, I heard her whisper to a noble lady beside her. This gown fits me better, doesn't it? Yedet is too thin. She cannot fill it out. My Aurora has awakened. From tonight on, she will return as the high priestess of the Sun Temple. I tightened my grip on the wine cup. For three years, I had served as high priestess in Aurora's place, but now that she was awake, everything belonged to her again, and I was nothing. Suddenly, the hall doors opened. The moment Seraphine stepped into the hall, every voice fell silent. He walked straight to Aurora. Then, in front of everyone, he dropped to one knee. Welcome back, my high priestess. You were always the one I was sworn to serve. My breath stopped. He was always so aloof, so proud. I had never seen him kneel before anyone. But as long as it was about Aurora, even the holiest knight would lose his heart. See. the one Seraphine truly loves is Aurora. The marriage only fell to Yvette because Aurora was cursed and fell into sleep. I bet Yvette must be dying of embarrassment right. now. I walked alone onto the terrace. But even the cold wind could not ease the pain in my chest, then I heard footsteps behind me. Does it hurt?

To keep Mother from worrying, I told her I was leaving for a quiet prayer retreat. In truth, I stayed alone in the Temple Healing Chamber for three days. The day I was allowed to leave, one of Seraphian's attendants came. to me"Lady Aedet, Commander Seraphian wishes to see you at the Garden Pavilion. " Seraphian pushed a delicate white box across the table; inside was a pair of pale blue lace gloves. "I will still honor the betrothal as long as you stop targeting Aurora. ". No need. It was always my sister's betrothal anyway. For the first time, he actually tried to explain before he could finish. Aurora appeared beside him. She was dressed in a pale blue gown; her lace sleeves matched the gloves in the box exactly. It was not a gift chosen for me. It was something Aurora did not want. The event... Aurora linked her arm through Seraphian's. I asked Seraphian to bring you this. Do you like it? I forced a smile. My nails dug deep into my palm. When I returned to the Vailan estate, I saw Mother limping down the stairs. Mother, I rushed over to help her. My fingers brushed the bruises on her wrist. Did Aurora push you again? For years, Aurora had called my mother a lowborn slut who stole her dead mother's place. She even laid hands on her suddenly. The front door burst open, Aurora walked in as if nothing had happened, I could not hold back. Aurora. why did you push my mother? Aurora raised her hand and slapped Mother across the face. Who told her to steal someone else's place? At that moment, she looked nothing like a priestess—only cruel. My mind went blank when I came back to myself. My palm had already struck Aurora's cheek. My mother did not steal anyone's place; she married Father three years after your mother died. Mother grabbed my arm in panic. Please stop! We are still family... Family? Who is family with you filthy people? She backhanded mother again. I completely lost control. My hand was already raised when a sharp voice cut through the room. Yvette Vailan, what are you doing?

Serafian was still holding Aurora's forgotten cloak. Aurora's expression changed instantly. "Serafian, my sister tried to hit me. " I watched him pull her closer. I watched the revulsion in his eyes. Suddenly, it all felt absurdly funny. A few days later, the day came for Aurora to return as high priestess. "You embarrassed yourself at the feast. Today, you will play for Aurora at her return ceremony. "Consider it your apology to Aurora. Do not disgrace the Vilegan name again. I sat at the grand piano set beside the ceremonial platform. My fingers moved mechanically across the keys. From the corner of my eye, I saw Aurora glance at me again and again. The moment the final note faded, a deafening bang rang out. The heavy piano lid slams down without warning. The lid crashed over my hands. Excruciating pain shot through all ten fingers. I screamed, my vision was going black.

Instinctively, I looked toward Seraphine in the distance. Don't worry about her; she has always made a scene over the smallest things. Even a bug could make her scream. Seraphine, the dawn procession is about to begin. Please walk with me. Before I passed out from the pain, all I saw was their backs as they left. When I woke up, Mother was sitting by my bed. Mother sits beside me with red, swollen eyes. She gently touched my bandaged hands. Arthur sent his best royal physician. I think. perhaps His Highness is not as terrible as the rumors say. Where are Father and Aurora? Your father went to join Aurora's Dawn Procession. The whole capital was celebrating her return. I said nothing, but tears streamed down my face. Besides Mother, it seemed no one in this world truly cared about me. Maybe leaving was the best choice. That night, I returned to my room at the Valan Estate. Everything related to Seraphine was still there, the letters I had written but never sent, the sketches I had drawn of him, and the broken betrothal scroll. I placed them all into the fireplace. One by one, those ten years burned away. Seraphine, from now on we are done. The day I arrived at Arthur's estate, I was stunned by what I saw. The royal guards and palace servants bowed to welcome me when Arthur appeared at the top of the castle steps. My breath caught; tall and broadshouldered, he looked born to rule, but behind those clear blue eyes was a quiet, dangerous control. "This is your home now. " he possessively gripped my fingertips. his palm warm and dry. "Don't be nervous. "