Page 221 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

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 wherehe’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.

Once Rain had finished dressing, he turned to Snow, ready to confide in her about his side quest to check on Jay. He recounted his risky venture into the Red kingdom, describing the obscene amount of military presence and the narrow escape at the border. Snow listened intently, her expression growing serious as she considered the risks he had taken. She understood why he had to ensure Jay was safe, but she wished there had been a better way.

Shifting the conversation, Rain described the unsettling visit from an aetherial at Jay’s home. Jay’s father, as chair of the Carminia council, certainly had aetherial contacts but Jay’s mother’s reaction suggested this was not a common occurrence. She had been nervous, fearful, and deeply uncomfortable hosting a royal guest.

Complicating matters further, Jay had once made it clear that Rain was the first aetherial he had ever met in person. The visitor’s presence left a sour taste in Rain’s mouth. Something about it felt off, even if it didn’t pose immediate danger. In the morning, he would ask Jay directly, hoping to unravel the mystery behind the unusual visit and the increased security.

Falling into step beside one another, the twins headed toward the dining hall. Rain consciously scanned the palace; he found himself eagerly searching for signs of his fiancé but sensed no new aetherial signatures;only the usual court inhabitants. It appeared the queen and her daughter had travelled alone, aside from a few mortal companions.

The family dining hall had been meticulously prepared for an intimate dinner, every detail crafted to evoke a romantic atmosphere. Candles in elegant golden candelabras flickered softly, casting warm, dancing shadows across the room. Dyed roses were arranged in shades of blue and pink; each blue bloom rimmed with pink; each pink edged with blue, their stems woven together in elaborate knots to symbolise harmonious union.

The overall effect was enchanting and symbolic, setting the tone for the couple’s first meeting.

Rain felt a twinge of disappointment at his bride’s absence. Although he had not been particularly enthusiastic about the union before, he was eager to have their first meeting behind him. Perhaps Snow was right; perhaps he would find fulfilment in the arrangement after all.

Upon entering the dining hall, Rain noticed that Virginia, their mother, and Navy were already seated. Snow made her way around the table and took her designated seat beside Navy, who waved enthusiastically at Rain, thrilled to see him after such a long time. Rain returned the gesture with a big smile, her joy warming his heart. With a flick of his power, he plucked a blue rose from the centrepiece and sent it floating toward her. Navy snatched it from the air with a gleeful cheer. She had been hounding her mother all evening, begging to touch the pretty flowers, only to be scolded and told no. Rain had made her night with that small gesture.

Candy’s name card had been placed in his usual seat, with Virginia to her left and Rain intended to sit at her right.

His own name card had been intentionally defaced impaled to the table with a steak knife. Rain smirked at the passive-aggressive gesture, removing the knife from the card before settling himself beside Virginia.Since their honoured guest had not appeared, he saw no reason to leave an empty space between them. Virginia offered him an apologetic smile, her exasperation over her daughter’s behaviour swirling visibly through her aura.

“I am terribly sorry. Candy wasn’t best pleased when your father compared her defiant behaviour to yours and angrily took it out on your place marker.” Virginia’s apology was fraught with anxiety, her nervous energy making it clear that Candy’s outburst had shaken her deeply. Rain sensed her distress and, feeling sympathy, wanted to ease her worries. It was obvious that Virginia and Taffy were deeply invested in securing Candy’s marriage; so invested they seemed willing to sacrifice almost anything to make it happen. Yet Candy’s resistance posed a real threat, jeopardising the very agreement they had worked so hard to secure.

“No need to keep apologising on behalf of your daughter, Virginia. I am not so easily offended,” Rain said, smiling as he signalled for the server to pour wine. Virginia accepted gratefully, her nerves easing as Rain clinked his glass against hers, prompting her warm smile to return.

“Forgive me if this is inappropriate,” he added lightly, “but I see Candy’s actions as nothing more than foreplay.”

His mother tutted sharply, shooting him a scolding glare from the head of the table. Clearing his throat, he quickly clarified, “What I mean is that I intend to do whatever I must to win your daughter’s hand and honour our agreements. Nothing that has occurred today alters my commitment to our arrangement.”