"Now tell me, why are you here?" Elara asked, crossing her arms as she turned to face him after they reached a quiet place.
Sebastian raised an eyebrow at her casual tone. It was the first time someone had spoken to him without the formal "Your Majesty." Amused, he smirked.
"And why should I tell you?" he replied.
Elara rolled her eyes, and Sebastian glanced around, taking in their surroundings. She had led him to a secluded cliff behind her house, where small rocky formations stood against the glow of the evening sun. The view was breathtaking, the golden light making the rocks shimmer against the stillness of the atmosphere.
He hadn't questioned why she had brought him here, nor had he complained about her choice. In fact, he found the location perfect—away from prying eyes, offering him the chance to speak with her freely, without hesitation.
When she rolled her eyes again, he chuckled, shaking his head. He found it more cute than annoying. Teasing her was quickly becoming his favorite pastime—especially when he could see how it unsettled her.
He knew Elara didn't want to interact with him. She might pretend to be indifferent, but she wouldn't dare say it outright. In just a few weeks, he had learned more about her than she probably realized.
Slowly, he took a step forward, closing the distance between them. Then, with a featherlight touch, he lifted her chin with his fingers, forcing her to meet his gaze.
When she did, he smiled—not just with his lips, but with his eyes.
"Don't roll your eyes at me, sweetheart."
He reached for her hand, guiding it to his chest, pressing her palm against the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. His gaze remained locked with hers, his voice dropping to a soft murmur.
"I came because I was missing you."
Elara blinked twice, processing his words. Her heart stammered against her will, but she clenched her jaw, forcing herself to remain composed. She met his gaze with unwavering confidence, hiding the swirl of emotions beneath a well-practiced mask.
Sebastian smirked. She thinks she can hide from me.
Leaning in, he whispered near her ear, his voice laced with amusement.
"You're doing a great job hiding your feelings from me, sweetheart…" He lingered for a moment before adding in a hushed tone, "But I can see right through you. And it's so satisfying."
Then, just as slowly, he leaned back, tucking his hands behind his back.
"Did you like my gifts?"
Elara sighed, already knowing that Sebastian wouldn't let this conversation end on her terms. Instead of answering, she turned and walked a few steps away, perching herself on a large stone.
She knew who he was. A prince. A man who had everything he desired. And if she let herself get pulled into his world, there would be no peace for her.
Her voice was calm but firm when she finally answered.
"I threw them in the trash."
Sebastian's brow arched, his smirk widening as disbelief flickered in his eyes.
"In the trash?" His voice was slow, almost amused, as he walked toward her. He sat beside her on the stone, the distance between them narrowing with every step. He picked up a small stone from the ground, rolling it between his fingers with deliberate slowness. "You really think you can hide it all from me, Elara?" he said, his gaze flicking to her profile. "But I know. I know you still have the gifts."
Her chest tightened as she forced herself to stay composed, but she couldn't suppress the flare of frustration.
"When you know everything, why bother asking?" she replied, her tone steady, though her eyes betrayed the bitterness brewing within her. She knew who he was—a prince with power and resources that stretched far beyond her reach, even into the privacy of her life.
Sebastian's expression darkened, his amusement fading into something sharper, more demanding.
"I want to know why you're not using them," he said, his voice turning firm, almost commanding.
Her breath caught in her throat. She hesitated, but only for a moment, before she answered in a voice barely above a whisper.
"I... I don't want to wear them."
A low growl of frustration escaped him. His hand shot out, grabbing her chin with firm fingers, turning her face to meet his. His eyes were stormy with anger now.
All the attention he'd lavished on her, all the gifts, the charm, the promises—none of it had worked. She wasn't like the others. She refused to be won over by his wealth or status, and that made him… uncertain.
"I'm your prince," he said, his voice ice-cold. "And you will do as I say." His grip tightened on her shoulder, forcing her to stay still under his piercing gaze. "I've given you everything—a woman should be grateful for this, should feel honored. I'm showing you devotion, affection, everything you could want."
"But you…" His frustration boiled over, and he stood abruptly, pacing a few steps. "These gifts weren't meant to be hidden away, Elara. You'll wear them, every last piece. The jewelry, the clothes, everything. You will wear it all, and you will wear it proudly."
His breath came heavy, his chest rising and falling with barely contained anger. He stopped pacing and turned back to face her, standing tall, looming over her.
Her gaze dropped to the floor, her heart pounding with a mix of guilt and defiance. Was she disrespecting him? She wasn't sure, but in that moment, she knew better than to provoke him further.
"You won't hide them, Elara," he continued, his voice hard as steel. "Not now. Not ever again. Anything I give you, whether it's gifts or attention, you will accept it—and you will show it to the world. You'll let everyone see what I've given you. Because now you are my priority. And you will do as I say. That's not a request, it's an order."
Sebastian turned on his heel and walked away, his words lingering in the air like a storm that had only just passed. Elara was left standing alone, the weight of his command pressing heavily against her chest as her mind raced in silence.
_____
After Sebastian left Elara in the little corner she called her peace, he didn't know—or maybe didn't care—that he had just shattered that peaceful space. And her thoughts.
She sighed, lowering herself back onto the stone.
For a few quiet moments, Elara sat there, lost in the storm inside her mind. The future looked far from easy now, all because of him.
Royalty, responsibility, professionalism... Did any of those words even fit with the way he acted toward her?
He always spoke like he owned the ground she walked on.
Like she owed him something.
Like her voice didn't matter.
He talks, but never listens, she thought bitterly.
"What a stupid brain," she muttered under her breath and threw a small stone at the ground, her face twisted in frustration.
She reminded herself she had to stay composed—for now. Maturity was the only armor she had left. She couldn't let his childish arrogance drag her down.
"I can't act foolish just because he does... We're from different worlds. Different lives. Different families."
That last word—family—struck something. Her eyes widened as she suddenly remembered.
"Oh shit....father!" she gasped, straightening up in alarm.
She snatched up her basket and took off at once.
The fish! I still have to get the fish before the shops close!
Even if she somehow made it in time, she knew her father would still be at home, worrying. She was already much later than she should've been.
She ran until her lungs burned. At last, she reached the familiar alley where she'd met Sebastian. Slipping into the thinner side street, she spotted the patterned curtain hanging ahead—the fish shop was still open.
Relief flooded her chest.
Inside, the old fish seller was already wrapping up for the day, his back turned as he packed away the remains of his goods. His hands, marked by wrinkles and years of hard work, moved with practiced rhythm.
He wore his usual stained apron—splattered with evidence of his trade. The sight would've startled any child wandering past, but to Elara, it was just a normal part of life.
She smiled gently as she stepped forward.
"Um... excuse me, sir. Do you have—"
Before she could finish, the man turned around, his face lighting up.
"Oh, Elara!"
He recognized her immediately. He knew her family, knew her well. And that smile—it warmed her heart like a cup of hot tea on a winter evening.
These were the kind of people she cherished. Their kindness didn't come with conditions. Their eyes didn't judge—they offered peace, like a mother's touch in a world full of noise.
Elara's smile softened, returning his warmth.
"Ah yes, I—"
"Your father was here. He said you'd be coming," the old man interrupted kindly. "But what took you so long, dear? Oh—and he already bought the fish. Anything else I can help you with?"
She rubbed the back of her head awkwardly, searching for an excuse.
"Ah... no. I just ran into someone I know and... sort of lost track of time."
"Someone? Oh? Who was it? Someone I know?" he asked, raising an eyebrow—though the smile never left his face. It wasn't a teasing question, just part of his usual friendly chatter.
"Ahhh... no, you don't know him," she replied quickly, glancing up.
She looked away for a second.
Yeah, if I told you who, you might drop that knife you're holding, she thought with a twitch of a smile.
"Thank you for letting me know. I'll go see my father," she said, preparing to leave the shop.
"You better do! He was searching for you!" the shopkeeper called after her.
---
Elara reached her house door and took a deep breath before opening it. To her surprise, no one was in the hall waiting for her as she had expected.
She had thought she would be surrounded by her family, full of questions and confusion. But as she walked inside, she found Jacob sitting at the dining table, eating fried fish, while her father moved around the table, putting rice on Jacob's plate.
"Eat more, Jacob. You're a growing kid—fish is healthy for you," Jules said as he placed another piece of fish on his son's plate. His voice was calm, but there was a hint of tension in his brows.
"Mmhmm… no. I'm full," Jacob replied, shaking his head and pushing the plate away.
"You're full?" Elara asked as she stepped inside. "Aren't you the one who used to beg for a piece of fish—who even stole from my plate?" Her voice was calm, assuming the others would be just as composed.
But not exactly. Jacob and Jules both turned, their mouths dropping open in surprise when they saw Elara walking in.
"Sister!" Jacob barely spoke before their father turned to face her.
"Elara… where were you?" Jules asked firmly, crossing his arms.
Elara looked around nervously before replying. "I… uhh… I was on the back hills."
"Hills?" Jules repeated. "And what were you doing there?"
"Umm…"
She knew she couldn't lie to her father. But telling the truth wasn't easy either. Elara gulped, glanced around, then finally said, "I saw the prince."
That was the last thing Jules expected to hear from her. "The prince?" he repeated, stepping toward her, curiosity surfacing in his tone. "What do you mean you saw the prince?"
"Prince Sebastian?" Jacob asked, holding a piece of bread in his hand as he turned to his sister.
Elara nodded. "Uh, yeah." She could feel her father's gaze pressing against her, silently demanding more answers. She avoided eye contact as she spoke again. "I saw the prince on the street, so I… ran away."
"You saw Prince Sebastian and decided to hide and run to the hills instead of coming to me?" Jules asked. His voice was firm, but not cold.
"Father, it's not like that…"
"Answer my question!" Jules' voice rose sharply. "Why did you run away from him? Were you scared?"
He was only making it harder. Was she scared of him? No. But was she scared of the neighbors gossiping about her and the prince? Definitely.
She nodded. "Yes." Her gaze fell to the ground.
For a long moment, Jules said nothing. Jacob had stopped chewing and was watching the tense exchange.
"Go to your room," Jules finally said, his voice low but dangerous.
Elara looked up. "Father, I—"
"I said go!" he shouted, pointing to the stairs.
Elara looked down and quietly went upstairs without another word. Once in her room, she threw herself onto the bed, staring silently up at the ceiling.
"What have I just done?" she murmured under her breath, grabbing her hair in frustration. "Stupid, stupid… idiot."
Some time later, she got ready for bed and changed into her nightgown. A few minutes after washing her face in the bathroom, a soft knock came at her door.
"Come in," she said while drying her face with a towel.
"Sissy?"
Elara turned at the sound of her little brother's soft voice. He peeked inside.
"Jacob? What are you doing here at this hour?" she asked, walking to her closet and tossing her used clothes into the laundry basket.
"I… I wanted to check on you," Jacob said as he stepped into the room.
"Me?" Elara walked back to her bed. "Why? I'm fine, Jacob. You don't need to worry. Go to sleep."
She could see her little brother was still upset from what had happened earlier between her and their father.
"Really?" Jacob asked, climbing onto the bed. "But I thought… you'd be scared after how Father treated you today." His voice carried a hint of worry. "Lily told me everything."
Elara raised an eyebrow. "What? What did she say?" She sat beside him.
"She told me she saw Prince Sebastian today," he said, his big eyes wide.
Elara's brows lifted, her face turning curious. "She saw him?" she asked softly.
"Yes," Jacob said. "She said he came on his horse and asked her about you."
"Is that so?" Elara whispered, thinking back to the market. So that's how he found me in that market, she said under her breath. Then she turned to Jacob. "And what did she say to him? Did he threaten her?"
"Ummm… I don't think so," Jacob said, trying to recall the encounter. "But she seemed nervous. She told me not to tell anyone."
Elara smirked. "And you broke her promise, right?"
Jacob blinked, a little surprised by Elara's shift in tone. He nodded shyly. "I didn't break it. You already told Father you saw the prince, so… maybe I did. But I didn't tell anyone else—I only told you because the prince asked about you. That's why."
---
Elara chuckled. "Okay, okay, I get it. Come here." She pulled Jacob onto the bed and held him close. "Now tell me—did Father search for me when I was gone?"
Jacob nodded instantly. "Of course! He went to the fish market looking for you. Came back home and asked if you'd arrived. We both searched the whole market again. Asked Lily's mother about you—everywhere."
Elara realized how badly her actions had affected her family. "And what about Mother?"
"We didn't tell her until we came back. She was worried too, but after taking her medicine, she fell asleep," Jacob explained. Then he looked up at her. "Sissy… why did you run from the prince?"
Elara sighed. "I didn't run away… I just…" She leaned her head against the wall, struggling to find the words. After a long pause, she finally whispered, "I just felt like I had to escape him."
"Escape him?" Jacob asked. Elara nodded.
"But why? I think the prince likes you," Jacob said.
Elara rolled her eyes. "Why would he like me? I'm just a civilian, not a princess."
"But you're pretty," Jacob said innocently.
Elara chuckled. "Pretty isn't enough, Jacob," she said, placing her hand gently on his cheek. "He's a prince. A prince can't marry a common girl. I don't match his standards."
She rubbed her thumb across Jacob's cheek gently. "This isn't a fairy tale, Jacob. This is real life. And in real life, royals don't marry for beauty or kindness. They marry for power, for strength, for gain and control. They don't marry for love—they marry for their parents' wishes."
"Really?" Jacob asked, eyes wide.
Elara smiled. "Really," she said, pulling her hand away and leaning back onto her pillow. "They pretend to be happy. But do you know what they really look like?"
"What?"
"Like that princess who slapped me," she said with a smirk.
Jacob gasped. "Oh yes! You're right. She was so rude. How could she slap you like that? I'll get your revenge, Sissy!" He jumped on the bed and raised his hand. "I won't let them near you again—I'll knock them down if I ever see them!"
Elara laughed, tossing her head back at Jacob's dramatic outburst. "What? Hahaha! Calm down. Come here." She grabbed his hand and pulled him back down. "You don't have to do all that. Just pray they don't visit again—otherwise we both might end up in prison for your recklessness."
"But I won't let them come near you," Jacob said seriously.
"I know, Jacob. You're such a good brother. I'm proud of you," Elara smiled, pinching his nose. "Now go. Get some sleep—it's getting late."
At the mention of sleep, Jacob let out a yawn, and Elara smiled. "See? You're already tired."
Jacob's eyes began to droop as he rubbed his hair. "Yeah… we were all waiting for you."
Elara realized again how much her family had worried. I must've really caused them trouble, she thought.
Jacob slid off the bed and slipped on his slippers. "Goodnight, Sissy," he said, yawning again as he walked to the door.
"Goodnight," Elara replied softly, turning off her lamp.
"Oh—and one more thing," Jacob said, turning around. "Father said the carpenter returned his money while you were gone."
Elara raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"Yeah. Remember when you both went to get the window glass? That new guy who repaired it returned the money when Father was leaving."
Elara blinked as she recalled the day. "Ah!" She turned toward Jacob. "What do you mean? When? Who made him return it?"
Jacob stepped closer again. "When Father came home, right after placing the window, there was a knock. That guy was at the door with the money. He looked terrified and said, 'Take it back.'"
Elara processed the information. She had no idea why that man would return the money—he was the one asking for more than necessary. "Did you see anyone with him? Maybe Father's old friend found out about the fraud."
Jacob paused, thinking. "Uhh… no. He was alone. But you could be right. Maybe his boss punished him," Jacob giggled. "Found out about his greediness."
Elara smirked. "Yeah."
"But why was he alone, then?" Jacob wondered aloud, putting a finger to his chin.
Elara rolled her eyes. "Not your problem. Go to sleep." She turned to the bed and pulled up the blanket. "Go, Jacob. It's already late. Father will be angry if he finds out you're still awake."
Jacob sighed. "Yeah, yeah… going." He turned around. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight," Elara said, resting her head on the pillow.
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
Today had been a long day—not just for her, but for the whole family. Though she tried to sleep, her mind remained awake, still spinning from everything that had happened.
_______________________________________