"Ciri, you'll marrying Morvran Voorhis," Emhyr said.
"What?" Ciri said. "Without even consulting me, when I'm the one getting married? And why do I have to co-rule, can't I be the sole ruler?"
"He'll be Emperor after me and rule with you as his Empress. You can't expect that you'll rule alone?" Emhyr said.
"But Cerys-" Ciri said.
"-is not Nilfgaardian. I've spared the Skellige Isles and let them remain independent... unless you wish me to make it not so," Emhyr said, the corners of his mouth turned up in a smug smile of victory, knowing Ciri will not continue her protest.
Ciri clenched her fists in frustration. This was not her what she had planned. She had thought that perhaps, she would be given a freer reign in her affairs. After all, she could have faked her death and lived freely as a Witcher... she had given up all that with the hope that she would be able to use her powers as Empress to do as she saw fit.
As of now, she was nothing but a puppet. She had been forced to adjust to her new life, stuck studying edicts and laws when she could have been outside, swinging a sword, adrenaline rushing through her body...
"Love is optional. The most important matter here is that you make a good and beneficial match with Morvran," Emhyr said, his voice startling Ciri out of her reverie. "With strong alliances, you assure the loyalty of your subjects. Remember, your actions are not your own. Everything is for the good of the empire." Emhyr turned to leave.
...
Morvran Voorhis kissed her hand. He was gentle and respectful towards her. Ciri had earlier prepared to hate him but found him likeable to a fault. A pity she did not love him.
He was certainly eager in his courtship of her. Seeing the way he conducted himself and the people's respect for him, Ciri had no doubt the role of Emperor fit him perfectly.
"Ciri? I would like to propose to you," Morvran said, getting down and bending his knee. He presented a dazzling ring. "Will you marry me?"
Ciri was stunned. "So soon?" Morvran raised an expectant eyebrow. "Uh... y-yes. I will," she said uncertainly.
Morvran smiled brilliantly anyway, ignoring her discomfort. He slipped the ring onto her finger, kissing her chastely on her expressionless face. Ciri did not know what to feel.
...
News of the engagement spread throughout the empire and beyond. A certain Aen Elle elf took particular interest in the news.
Avallac'h felt a turmoil of emotions. Anger at himself, regret, self-loathing. The contents of his stomach threatened to rise to his mouth. His head and his chest hurt.
"What's the matter with you, Avallac'h?" Ge'els asked curiously.
Avallac'h had been acting strangely ever since he returned to Tir ná Lia. He had returned with Lillian, the she-elf who had faithfully followed him to the world of the Aen Seidhe.
Gossip spread that Avallac'h had banished a tearful Lillian even though he had not taken another she elf. But today of all days, the cracks in the demeanor of his royal advisor was showing, his usual calm was replaced with agitation and restlessness.
"I received news from the world of the Aen Seidhe," Avallac'h said.
"I wonder what news it could be to so greatly affect our Aen Saevherne," Ge'els said. "Unless..."
"The Empress of Nilfgaard is engaged," Avallac'h said in a measured, neutral tone. "The Empress... is Cirilla." His voice betrayed a slight tremble when he said her name.
"Ah, I see," Ge'els said. "Is it because your dream of Zireael coupling with an Aen Elle elf is ruined? Or is it a more... personal matter?" Avallac'h visibly flinched on the word 'personal'. It was too late for him to hide his reaction, Ge'els had already seen.
Understanding dawned on Ge'els. He smiled and patted Avallac'h on the shoulder. "So the rumours were true. You prefer the touch of a Dh'oine rather than that of a she-elf," Ge'els said. "Or is it just one Dh'oine in particular?"
Avallac'h kept silent, his eyes trained on the floor. He struggled to control himself from the urge to punch his king in the face. "Ge'els, I have my limits," Avallac'h warned.
"Alright," Ge'els said, taking pity on him. "I haven't seen you this way since Lara. You never loved Lillian even though you tried to keep up appearances. After all, Auberon was reclusive and never took a mate.
"Your heart and soul belonged to Lara. And now, it belongs to Zireael. You love her, Avallac'h. You have to stop her from marrying someone else," Ge'els said.
"Ge'els, your Highness. If I were to bring Zireael here and make her my wife, how would the Aen Elle react?" Avallac'h asked frankly.
"I have no objections. But how would the humans react to their ruler's disappearance? I fear retribution towards the Aen Seidhe," Ge'els said. "Perhaps you should consult that human who was with you when you came to meet me before?"
"Geralt? No. I cannot involve him in this, it's too dangerous. Ciri's father will turn to Geralt at the first sign of her disappearance. Geralt must not know of this plan until Ciri is safely with me," Avallac'h said.
"You are worried for him, Avallac'h?" Ge'els asked.
"Yes, I do not think Zireael will appreciate me putting her adoptive father in danger," Avallac'h said.
...
The day of the wedding was coming ever closer. She had been measured and fitted for her wedding dress. The dress was white and corseted with diamonds embroidered on it so that they caught and reflected the sunlight with every step she took.
"Now Ciri, don't look so sad," Philippa said.
"Where's Yennefer?" Ciri asked.
"Oh, don't bother about her. She's not important. I'm the court mage and advisor to the king now, not Yennefer," Philippa answered.
"Not important? She's my mother. Shouldn't she be attending her daughter's wedding?" Ciri asked. Philippa did not reply and realisation dawned on her. "Don't tell me... Geralt and Yennefer were not informed?" Ciri exclaimed in horror.
"I will need to talk to father about this," Ciri said, storming off and ignoring Philippa's calls. She took big, purposeful strides, not caring about ripping the dress.