29.

Aeryn stood before the mirror in her lavish chambers, gazing at her reflection. She hardly recognized the person staring back at her. Gone were the simple clothes of her former life on Earth. Instead, she was adorned in the finest royal fabrics of Alex’s kingdom—a gown made from shimmering silver threads that clung to her figure in delicate waves, cascading down to the floor. The bodice was encrusted with jewels that sparkled like stars, matching the crown atop her head. Her hair had been styled in intricate braids woven with silver strands, the alien attendants working diligently to create a masterpiece fitting for a queen.

But despite her outward beauty, Aeryn felt hollow inside. Her hands trembled slightly as she touched the fabric of her gown, the sensation unfamiliar and uncomfortable. She had been thrust into this world, forced into a marriage with a man from another planet, and now expected to fulfill the role of queen to a kingdom she neither understood nor wanted. Her heart ached with the weight of it all, a prisoner in a life she had never chosen.

The door to her chambers opened, and one of her attendants peeked in, her expression cautious. "Your Majesty," she said softly, "the court is waiting for you."

Aeryn inhaled deeply, steadying herself. She had no choice but to walk this path, to step into the role that had been forced upon her. She could not show weakness, not in front of the aliens who now viewed her as their queen. With one final glance in the mirror, she straightened her shoulders, forcing her expression into one of stoic calm.

As she stepped out of her room, the attendants lining the hall gasped in unison. They had seen her before, but now, in her full queenly regalia, Aeryn was a vision of ethereal beauty, more radiant than anyone they had ever seen in their kingdom. They whispered among themselves, awed by her transformation, their wide eyes following her every move.

Aeryn walked with a regal grace she didn't know she possessed, each step measured and purposeful. The weight of her gown, the crown, and the expectations placed upon her bore down, but she kept her head high. She could feel the gazes of those around her, the awe, the curiosity, the reverence, and for a moment, she allowed herself to believe that perhaps she could play this part convincingly.

As she approached the grand hall where the throne court awaited, Aeryn felt her heart begin to race. The massive doors loomed before her, a barrier between her and the people of this alien world. The attendants opened them with a soft creak, and the light from the hall spilled out, bathing her in its glow.

Inside, the court was filled with dignitaries, nobles, and soldiers, all standing in respectful silence as she entered. The grandeur of the throne room was overwhelming—the ceilings vaulted high above, adorned with tapestries of battles and ancient myths. Pillars of shimmering obsidian lined the hall, and at the far end, raised on a dais, was the throne. Alex sat there, his imposing figure radiating authority, dressed in royal garb that accentuated his sharp features and regal bearing.

As Aeryn walked down the long aisle toward the throne, she could feel every eye in the room fixed on her. But there was one gaze she felt more keenly than any other—Alex’s. He watched her with an intensity that made her pulse quicken, his eyes tracing every detail of her appearance, from the crown that glittered atop her head to the flowing gown that swirled around her feet. There was something different in the way he looked at her now. It wasn’t just duty or responsibility; it was admiration, pride, and something deeper, something more intimate.

As she reached the foot of the dais, Aeryn raised her eyes to meet Alex’s. For a moment, the noise of the court faded away, and it was just the two of them, locked in a silent exchange. His chest swelled with pride as he gazed at her, the sight of her in her queenly attire igniting something in him he hadn't expected. She was breathtaking, a vision of strength and beauty, and the realization that she was his queen stirred something deep within him. A strange sensation rippled through his body—an unfamiliar but not unwelcome warmth, a sense of connection that went beyond their forced union.

Alex rose from his throne and descended the steps to meet her. As he approached, Aeryn’s heart pounded in her chest, unsure of what to expect. He stopped in front of her, close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from his body, his presence overpowering. His hand reached out, fingers brushing against her cheek, and Aeryn stiffened at the unexpected touch.

“You look... magnificent,” Alex murmured, his voice low and filled with awe.

Aeryn forced a smile, but inside, her emotions were in turmoil. She hated the way her body reacted to his touch, the way her heart betrayed her by skipping a beat at his compliment. She wanted to scream, to cry, to run far away from this alien planet and the role she had been given. But she couldn’t. Not now. Not ever.

“Thank you,” she said softly, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her.

Alex’s hand dropped, and he turned to address the court. “Today, we stand united as a kingdom,” he declared, his voice booming through the hall. “We celebrate the union of two worlds, and the beginning of a new era for our people. Aeryn, my queen, stands beside me as a symbol of our strength and resilience. Together, we will lead this kingdom into a future of peace and prosperity.”

The court erupted in cheers, the sound deafening as it echoed off the walls. Aeryn stood there, numb, her eyes fixed on the far wall as the noise swirled around her. This was her life now, a life she had never asked for. She was a queen, but she felt more like a prisoner.

As the celebration continued, Alex took her hand and led her to the throne, where they sat side by side. He glanced at her every so often, his pride evident in the way he held himself, in the way he looked at her. Aeryn, however, felt a deep sadness gnawing at her soul. She was surrounded by riches and power, but inside, she felt empty.

Hours passed as the court paid their respects, nobles bowing before them, offering gifts and pledging their loyalty. Aeryn responded as expected, nodding politely, offering the occasional forced smile, but her mind was elsewhere. She thought of Earth, of her life before all of this, of the freedom she had once taken for granted. Now, she was trapped in a world she didn’t understand, bound to a man she didn’t love, and expected to rule a kingdom that wasn’t hers.

When the court finally began to disperse, Alex leaned toward her, his voice soft. “You did well today,” he said, his tone genuine. “The people adore you.”

Aeryn didn’t respond, her eyes distant as she stared ahead. She wanted to scream, to tell him that she didn’t care about the people, that she didn’t care about being queen. But she bit her tongue, knowing that her outburst would solve nothing. Instead, she simply nodded, her silence speaking volumes.

Alex watched her, his brow furrowing in concern. He could sense her unease, the turmoil she tried so hard to hide. He wanted to reach out to her, to reassure her, but he knew that words alone wouldn’t be enough. This was a delicate dance, and he had to tread carefully if he was ever going to win her trust.

For now, they sat in silence, two figures bound together by fate, yet separated by worlds.