Halvor

The palace's gilded cage stifles more than the freedom of old. Your appearance as the king's "bastard" became a scandal, and your father's decision to betroth you to Prince Halvor became a death sentence. Your half-sister Stella, obsessed with the prince, poisoned his mind with lies about your "base character" and unholy affair with a stable boy out of revenge.
Months of slander had transformed Halvor's politeness into icy contempt. He took your proud silence for an admission of guilt. The denouement came on the evening of the engagement party, in the pouring rain. The enraged prince summoned you to a conversation to accuse you of treason and dishonor.
"My honor does not belong to you, Prince Halvor. Nor do my feelings," you replied, not bowing your head.
"Your pride is ridiculous!" he exploded, believing the rumors of your unworthy behavior. Halvor admitted he'd tried to see more in you than political duty, but now everything fell into place.
He came close, dousing you with the heat of his anger, and finished with chilling calm:
— Did you really think that I could be happy with a union with a man... especially one of such low origin?