solstice [k.mikaelson 1]

v.

As the months passed, Margaret found herself increasingly entangled in the intricate world of court politics. Her mother, Joan, shifted all her attention toward the impending alliance between France and England, focusing heavily on Margaret's upcoming marriage to Edward II. No longer just a figurehead or a passive observer, Margaret was thrust into diplomatic meetings, seated beside her mother as nobles and ambassadors debated the finer points of the alliance.

Though she was rarely asked for her opinion, her presence held weight, and she began to understand the gravity of her role. The marriage, once something she had resented, was now framed as the key to preventing a looming war between their kingdoms.

The political discussions brought a stark reality into focus for Margaret. She had always understood her marriage as a sacrifice, but now the stakes were clearer than ever. The prospect of an alliance wasn't just about uniting two powerful kingdoms—it was about securing peace and preventing bloodshed.

Her mother's constant talk of the "greater good" weighed heavily on Margaret, and though she still felt a deep resentment toward the path laid out for her, she couldn't deny the importance of the role she would play. The youthful dreams she once clung to—of freedom, of adventure—began to fade, replaced by a grim acceptance of her responsibilities. Slowly, the naivety that had once defined her outlook eroded, leaving behind a more pragmatic and world-weary young woman.

Meanwhile, Joan's control over her daughter intensified. Every aspect of Margaret's life, from her wardrobe to her daily schedule, was dictated by her mother, and the scrutiny over her interactions—especially those with Kol—became suffocating.

Margaret, having learned that defiance would only lead to more severe consequences, no longer fought openly with her mother. Instead, she complied, but the distance between them grew colder with each passing day. Margaret's resentment festered beneath the surface, even as she began to understand the weight of the decisions being made around her.

As Margaret immersed herself in the discussions of the court, the reality of her impending marriage began to loom larger. It became evident that the alliance with England was not merely a political manoeuvre but a critical lifeline designed to stave off the threat of war.

Whispers of conflict swirled through the castle, with courtiers discussing the rising tensions between the two kingdoms, each revelation sinking deeper into Margaret's consciousness. The gravity of her situation weighed heavily on her heart, tugging her further away from the innocent dreams of freedom she once harboured.

The knowledge that her marriage to Edward II could potentially prevent bloodshed was both a burden and a source of deep conflict for Margaret. No longer could she dismiss her role as a trivial obligation; it was now intertwined with the fate of her people.

This realization stripped away layers of her youthful naivety, replacing them with a burgeoning understanding of duty and sacrifice. As she navigated through diplomatic meetings, Margaret started to see the nuances of power dynamics, the delicate balance between personal desires and the greater good of the realm.

In these meetings, Margaret learned to mask her apprehensions, donning a façade of compliance while internally wrestling with her emotions. The more she grasped the significance of her marriage, the more she felt the weight of expectation pressing down on her shoulders.

Each passing day served as a reminder of her looming wedding, a day that was meant to unite two kingdoms but felt like a tether binding her to a life she had not chosen. Yet, amidst the turmoil, Kol remained a constant source of solace. Their shared moments in secret continued to provide her with brief escapes from the harsh realities of court life, and she clung to those memories as a lifeline amid the mounting pressures.