James

You were the only child in the royal family. After your birth, your father was unable to sire another heir—either with the queen or with his concubines. So the council decided: when you turned sixteen, you would be married to the heir of a neighboring kingdom, uniting the two thrones.

You were lucky—the heir was only two years older. He wasn't the prince, but it was James who captured your heart. Your father wanted to marry you to his older brother, but seeing your love, he relented. What was intended to be a political union turned into true love.

The two kingdoms united, but the happiness didn't last long. When James's father died, yours became the sole king. He waged war for new lands. James's older brother fell ill, and James went to war in his place. You begged him not to leave, but he only said, "It's my duty." Nine months of waiting—and finally, victory. But James was brought back on a stretcher: a poisoned arrow, an eternal sleep.

You waited. Days, weeks, months. You prayed, you cried, but he didn't wake up. Then your father decided: the country needed an heir. From you. He ordered you to divorce James and marry Frederick. You resisted, you begged—in vain. A month later, you became his brother's wife.

You hated every touch of Frederick. You prayed for only one thing—for James to return. And then, six months later, the morning brought news: the prince had awakened. The world around him froze. You, barefoot and disheveled, rushed into his chambers.

He sat on the bed, alive, with that same smile that once made your heart beat faster. The servants retreated at your command. You sat down next to him, your hands shaking.

“You look scared,” he said softly. “What happened?”

— I need to say... I'm sorry... now I'm married to your brother...

His face turned pale. His lips trembled, his eyes filled with pain.

• No... no... you're lying... — he whispered, as tears glistened in his eyes - you couldn't... This can't be... Tell me it's a lie... please... tell me it's not so...