The morning after the wedding arrived far sooner than Catherine had hoped.
The Palace, which had only yesterday witnessed a royal wedding, now moved with quiet urgency. Servants hurried through the corridors, ministers whispered in tense discussions, and the Aurora Vale delegation had already begun preparing for departure.
The disappearance of the Crown Prince had turned the entire event into a fragile political situation. A swift return was necessary.
Catherine stood at the grand gates of the palace as the final preparations were made. The pale emerald towers of her home shimmered softly under the early morning light, and for a moment she simply looked at them in silence.
This place had been her world for eighteen years.
Now she was leaving it behind.
Catherine's farewell to her siblings was quieter than she had expected. Edward clung to her dress stubbornly, refusing to let go until Aaron gently pulled him back, while Eleanor stood a few steps away trying very hard to appear composed.
Isabella, who had always been the loudest among them, was strangely silent for a moment before finally sighing and hugging her tightly.
"You're really leaving us just like that?" she murmured.
Catherine smiled softly and placed a hand over hers. "It is not goodbye forever."
Her gaze drifted across the courtyard.
At the head of the procession, the Duke of Brighton sat calmly atop a tall black horse. Even surrounded by soldiers and nobles, his posture remained steady, composed.
The memory of the cathedral returned to her.
If His Highness cannot fulfill his duty… then I shall marry her.
Catherine lowered her gaze again.
Catherine stepped into the carriage and looked back at her siblings standing together at the palace gates, she knew that something in their world had quietly changed.
The carriage doors closed.
And slowly, the gates of Eurin disappeared behind her.
-----
The journey to Aurora Vale lasted seven days.
At first Catherine spent most of her time quietly watching the world through the carriage window.
The familiar forests of Eurin gradually faded behind them, replaced by long winding roads and open countryside. Small villages appeared occasionally along the route, their warm lights glowing in the evenings as the delegation passed through.
The Duke rode beside the carriage most of the time. Sometimes she saw him through the window—speaking with the knights, reviewing travel maps, or simply riding in thoughtful silence. He never intruded upon her privacy and yet she always felt aware of him nearby.
On the third day rain fell steadily across the plains, forcing the convoy to slow its pace.
When Catherine stepped briefly outside the carriage during a stop, a cloak was suddenly placed over her shoulders.
"You should not remain in the rain, Your Highness."
She turned.
The Duke stood beside her, already adjusting the clasp of the cloak so it would not slip.
"You do not need to concern yourself so much," she said politely tightly gripping the cloak.
"It is my responsibility." His tone remained calm yet soft.
For a moment they stood quietly beneath the grey sky while the rain softened into mist.
"You have remained very calm through all of this,Your Highness. I'm sorry for everything that happened." he said after a moment.
Catherine looked toward the distant road.
"I do not believe in worrying about things that cannot be changed."
She smiled faintly.
"Life is rarely kind enough to follow the stories people like to tell. And it'snot your fault, Your Grace. You simply saved my honour and the alliance. I will always be very grateful for that. "
He studied her expression thoughtfully but did not argue.
By the fifth day the scenery began to change. The air grew warmer. Golden fields stretched across the valleys, and rivers glittered beneath the sunlight like threads of silver.
Catherine leaned slightly toward the carriage window.
"It's beautiful," she murmured.
Noah guided his horse closer.
Her voice carried a small spark of curiosity she could not hide.
"I had only heard stories. But Aurora Vale is truly beautiful."
"You will see much more soon." He replied softly.
On the seventh day, the convoy finally reached Brighton territory. Tall iron gates opened slowly as the carriage approached.
Beyond them stood the Brighton estate.
Catherine stepped down and looked up.
The mansion rose proudly among vast green gardens and stone fountains, its ivory walls glowing warmly beneath the afternoon sun.
For a moment she simply stared. It was grand.
"This is the Brighton Duchy," Noah said calmly.
An elderly gentleman approached and bowed deeply.
"Welcome, Your Grace. I am Henry, the head butler."
Beside him stood a gentle woman.
"I am Clara, the head maid. Your Grace."
"Nice to meet you both." She replied softly.
Catherine entered the grand mansion.
Henry guided her through the mansion halls.
Sunlight poured through tall windows, warming the polished floors and high ceilings. Catherine was in awe. Her curious personality to learn something new everyday could never let go of the grand architectural structures and designs she had never seen before. Henry explained her everything related to the mansion.
Later, as the tour ended, Noah approached Catherine.
"I must visit the Emperor, Your Highness. I will return soon. You may seek out Clara or Henry if you require any sort of assistance."
"I understand." Catherine nodded.
Their eyes met briefly before he turned and left.
----
Night settled quietly over the estate.
Catherine sat in her chamber as Clara brushed her long silver hair.
"You need not feel nervous," the maid said kindly. "His Grace is known to be very considerate."
Catherine looked down at her hands.
Nervous was not quite the right word.
Simply… uncertain.
A knock sounded at the door.
"His Grace has returned."
"Your Grace. It's time. I will take my leave." Clara bowed and left quickly.
Moments later the door opened and Noah stepped inside.
He removed his coat, his hair slightly disordered from the evening wind.For a moment he simply paused when he saw her.
"You are still awake, Your Highness."
Catherine nodded slightly and lowered her gaze.
"I apologize for returning late. The Emperor wished to discuss the matter of the Crown Prince."
"Is everything resolved?" She said calmly.
"For now. Atleast I hope so."
"The journey must have been exhausting." He continued after a moment of silence.
Catherine turned slightly. "It was manageable. Your Grace."
For a moment he stood beside her, his gaze drifting across the vast gardens below before returning to her.
"A great deal has happened in a very short time," he said calmly. "Anyone would find it… unsettling."
"I prepared my heart for far greater things. Your Grace. This is nothing." Catherine replied.
After a moment of awkward silence,
Noah reached into his waistcoat and took out a folded cloth.
"I believe this belongs to you."
Catherine's eyes widened.
"My handkerchief…"
She accepted it carefully.
"You found it?"
"In the greenhouse. You left it there." He said casually.
Her cheeks warmed slightly.
"I was curious about the person who left it behind." He continued.
Catherine looked down at the embroidered flower.
"That person turned out to be someonewho I never imagined would be my wife."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
Catherine looked at him. Her expressions calm but, her heart beating faster.
He stepped slightly closer.
"We are now husband and wife. Your Highness."
The words were spoken gently, they were firm but without pressure.
She looked at him, slightly surprised by the firmness in his voice.
"You must know something clearly, Your Highness."
His tone remained steady, but there was a quiet sincerity in it now. "I accepted this marriage by my own decision. Not simply for the treaty."
Catherine blinked, unsure what to say. She felt a sudden warmth flowing through her entire body.
"You are my wife now," he continued. "And the Duchess of Brighton."
The words were spoken without hesitation.
"There is no need for you to feel like a guest in this house… or a burden placed here by circumstance."
The evening breeze stirred the loose strands of her hair as she looked at him, her heart pounding wildly.
"You do not have to face everything alone."
He took her hand carefully, lifted her hand and pressed a brief kiss against her knuckles.
The gesture was polite. Almost formal and yet Catherine felt her cheeks burn.
"You seem surprised, Your Highness?" he said quietly.
"I-its nothing." She quickly averted her gaze. Her cheeks red with shyness.
Noah chuckled.
He released her hand and gestured toward the couch beside the window.
"Would you like to sit with me?"
Catherine nodded slightly trying to maintain her calm expressions.
They sat side by side, a small space between them.
Outside, moonlight washed the gardens in silver.
Inside the quiet room, Catherine folded the handkerchief carefully in her hands.
She had never believed in love or fairytales. Life had always been far more practical than that.
And yet…as she sat quietly beside the man who had unexpectedly become her husband, Catherine realized that perhaps understanding someone did not begin with grand emotions. Sometimes it began simply like this, with quiet conversation and patience.