Jayden's POV
I exhaled slowly, staring at my reflection while unfastening the top two buttons of my dress shirt. My pulse hammered against my throat, and I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to draw in steady breaths. The air felt thick, suffocating.
Nothing could diminish the weight of what today meant.
In mere hours, the king would announce his verdict regarding my arranged marriage to Sylvia. That single decision would seal the destiny of whatever future I might have with Jasmine.
Jasmine.
Her name alone sent warmth flooding through my chest, steadying my racing heart. A pleasant shiver traveled down my spine, pooling in my stomach.
These past days of keeping my distance had been torture. Ever since the king ordered his investigation, I'd forced myself to maintain space between us. I couldn't risk drawing more scrutiny to her name or damaging her standing in the palace.
