ZAVIER
I watched Aria's expression change the moment I mentioned our wedding. She pulled away from my embrace and sat up in bed, leaning against the headboard. Her sudden withdrawal caught me off guard.
"Babe, what's wrong?" I asked, my voice tinged with concern.
She avoided my gaze, fidgeting with the edge of the blanket. "I'm not sure about getting married to you, Zavier.”
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. "What do you mean?" I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.
She took a deep breath, finally looking up at me. "I don't want to be queen. I want freedom, Zavier. I don't want to be trapped in the palace all the time, and I definitely don't want to be treated like a fertility machine.”
I stared at her, trying to process what she was saying. "Aria, being queen is an honour. I
