Chapter 57
Lightning split the sky as dark clouds surged overhead, moving with an unnatural swiftness that transformed the once tranquil summer evening.
The air, previously warm and inviting, grew heavy with pressure and humidity, signalling a sudden and unsettling change in the weather.
Rain was immediately reminded of Queen Virginia’s earlier comment about Princess Candy’s power—she was known to be a weather wielder, clearly more than a simple wind bender.
It was clear to him that his delayed arrival had not gone unnoticed.
The tempest gathering above was no accident; perhaps it was Princess Candy’s way of voicing her displeasure, her anger manifesting in the brewing storm that now loomed over the palace.
When Rain ascended the palace steps, he found the doors already wide open — a sight that heightened his unease.
As he approached the foyer, he sensed a commotion unfolding inside.
His mother’s energy signature flared sharply, accompanied by Snow and Queen Virginia; the tension between them was unmistakable.
He was met at the entrance by a set of glares that softened only when they recognised him; as though they had been expecting someone else entirely.
Snow stepped forward, struggling to maintain decorum in front of their esteemed guest. “Brother, how nice of you to join us,” she said through gritted teeth, her disappointment evident as she took in his appearance. “Topless and late, no less.”
Rain stepped further into the foyer, directing his attention to Queen Virginia. “Please accept my sincerest apologies, Queen Virginia. I had urgent business to attend to this afternoon, and it took much longer than expected.”
Despite his unconventional arrival, Queen Virginia’s expression remained warm and unbothered. “No need to apologise, dear,” she assured him gently. “Snow mentioned you might be running a little late.”
Rain glanced down at his bare chest, acknowledging the inappropriateness of his attire. “Very well. However, my attire—or lack thereof—is extremely inappropriate. Please allow me to get dressed for dinner.”
Before anyone could respond, thunder crashed overhead, shaking the chandelier and reverberating through the foyer.
Rain instinctively looked up, as though he could see the storm raging above.
The intensity of the hammering rain and violent flashes of lightning was impossible to ignore. His brows lifted in admiration.
“If you could kindly extend my apologies to Princess Candy,” he added, recognising the tempest as a likely response to his tardiness.
Another thunderous bang followed, accompanied by a deluge of rain and lightning that filtered into the house, charging the air with tension and awe
Looking back to Queen Virginia, Rain offered a solution. “That is impressive. Could we please start over and meet in the dining hall in thirty minutes?”
His mother let out an agitated sound, directed toward the Pink queen.
“Darling, your fiancé deserted us moments before your arrival, apparently, she feels we are not worthy of her time. I cannot believe the filth that came out of her mouth, she was entirely disrespectful to both you and our kingdom,” Olivis directed a scowl toward Virginia, as though the queen herself were responsible for her daughter’s behaviour.
Rain glanced at Snow who appeared to be enjoying the entire situation. She gave him a look that suggested she was eager to fill him in on what he had missed.
“Olivis is correct,” Virginia said, her tone tight with exhaustion.
“I shall not make excuses for her. I am as appalled by her words as everyone else. But my daughter is…” She paused, clearly sifting through a catalogue of descriptors.
“For lack of a better word, exceptionally stubborn. We had many disagreements on the journey here that have certainly contributed to this latest outburst. Olivis, my daughter spoke from a place of anger—anger aimed toward me and what we are asking of her. I am sorry that it came out so boldly and disrespectfully toward you and your family.”
Rain’s brow furrowed, feeling ten steps behind everyone.
“Hold on—are you saying that Candy doesn’t wish for us to marry?
” he asked, genuinely confused. It hadn’t occurred to him that she might be coerced into the arrangement.
Most princesses longed to marry an heir; drawn by the allure of power and influence.
Since the annulment of his betrothal, Rain was without question the most eligible bachelor among the heirs: his strength and status making him a desirable match.
Given his position, and her parents’ push for the union, it seemed natural to assume Princess Candy would want the marriage.
“She will, once she has had a chance to meet you,” Virginia replied diplomatically. “It is all very sudden, that is all. She is fearful of losing her freedom—he same fears we all feel before we take our vows.”
Snow exhaled restlessly, her aura buzzing with excitement that did not match the mood. Before Rain could respond, she seized the opportunity to intervene and to steal him away.
“Let us discuss this over dinner. I can’t bear another second of this back-and-forth without food in my tummy.
” Snow’s eyes shone brightly as she sent a meaningful look toward Virginia.
The queen seemed to understand the silent exchange and returned it with a conspiratorial smile.
“Let’s reconvene in the dining hall in thirty minutes, shall we? ”
Snow linked her arm through Rain’s and tugged him toward the staircase leading to their rooms. Rain let her guide him, still stuck on the revelation that his fiancé opposed their marriage. How the tides had turned. Perhaps this was karma; his turn to experience what he had put Ivy through.
Once they were out of earshot, Snow sprang into action, grabbing his wrist as she launched into animated chatter.
“OMG! You are going to love her!” The twinkle in her eye emphasised her certainty. “Candy is you—in every conceivable way. Just as you are brooding, moody, outspoken, stubborn, opinionated…”
Rain scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Oh, please go on.”
“I’m serious, Rain. And to top it off, she is breathtakingly beautiful.
I really don’t think you’re going to mind this arrangement at all.
Oh! And if this doesn’t prove how alike you are, I don’t know what will—she showed up to dinner wearing all-black training gear.
Just like what you prefer to wear. You should have seen Virginia’s face when her daughter walked into the hall dressed so inappropriately.
I didn’t know she had it in her to look so violently pissed. ”
Rain mulled over Snow’s words. It did sound like something he himself might have done; deliberately provoking his parents if he felt pressured into a decision he didn’t want.
The idea made him smirk, even as a shiver of apprehension ran through him.
The thought was equal parts amusing and daunting.
Could he truly imagine himself bound in marriage to someone just as stubborn and fiery as he was?
“That isn’t even the best part,” Snow continued, practically vibrating.
“She did not hold back with Father. It was frightening. I was certain he was going to call the whole thing off when she threatened him; informing him she was, in fact, more powerful than he is, and he would do well to sit down and keep his mouth shut.”
Rain froze mid-step, certain he had misheard or somehow stepped into an alternate timeline.
“I’m sorry, what? There is no way a princess named Candy from Pink said that to the formidable Blue king. I refuse to believe it.”
“You better believe it. Father was outraged—rightly so—but he remained disciplined. That probably surprised me the most, if I’m honest. It felt oddly like our usual family dinners. I almost forgot to miss your presence.”
She jabbed him playfully with her elbow, snapping him out of his thoughts. Snow’s grin was wide and mischievous, her excitement at odds with the tension of the events she was describing. Rain glanced at her, bemused by her enthusiasm, as she leaned closer, eager to continue.
“That was what sent Virginia over the edge…Candy’s blatant disregard for their safety and the political implications of threatening our father.
It was a sight to see. That calm, lovely-hearted woman exploded with anger and chased Candy out of the room.
That’s how we ended up in the foyer. She stormed out of the palace after yelling at us about you and your reputation. ”
“Which explains the glares I received. You all thought I was Candy.”
“Yep. I thought she’d stalk back in with her tail between her legs and apologise. But it seems she has more balls than you, because I know you would have.”
Rain rolled his eyes at yet another lovely insult and stalked into his room.
It was exactly as he had left it; even the book of prophecies from his aunt’s bookstore lay atop his bed, waiting for him to pick up where he’d left off.
He stepped into his closet and pulled out a shirt and trousers, opting for a deep blue silk shirt.
If the princess returned, he should at least play his part and make an effort.
He almost regretted the decision when he saw the look of approval in Snow’s eyes.
She might not read energy like he could, but she could read him like a book.
Candy had gained his interest; perhaps it was some form of reverse psychology, but her lack of interest presented like a challenge and her bold actions, especially toward his father, had earned his respect. She intrigued him.