Elara bursts into her room, slamming the door shut behind her. She leans against the door, her chest heaving with exertion and emotion. Tears prick at the corners of her eyes as she tries to process the humiliating scene that just unfolded.
Just as she's starting to feel like she's alone with her thoughts, the door creaks open, and Caden slips inside. His expression is soft and concerned as he approaches her. "Elara, it's okay," he says gently, his voice a soothing balm to her frazzled nerves.
Elara turns to him, her eyes welling up with tears. Caden wraps his arms around her, holding her close as she buries her face in his chest. "It's not okay," she whispers, her voice muffled.
Caden's hold on her tightens. "I'm here for you," he says. "We'll figure this out together." But despite his reassuring words, his tone is laced with a hint of concern. As a member of the royal guard, he's well aware of the implications of a royal bloodline yielding no magical powers. It's a serious issue, one that could have far-reaching consequences for Elara's future and the kingdom's stability.
As Caden holds Elara, he gently pulls her closer, his arms wrapping more tightly around her. He rests his chin on the top of her head, his warmth and presence a comforting balm to her frazzled emotions. The soft fabric of his shirt provides a gentle caress against her cheek as she buries her face deeper into his chest. Caden's hold is secure and reassuring, offering a sense of safety and protection as Elara struggles to come to terms with the revelation.
Elara's tears begin to subside, then takes a deep breath and steps back from Caden, her eyes red-rimmed but determined. "I think I need some fresh air," she says, her voice still shaking slightly.
Caden nods understandingly, his expression softening. "Let's get you outside," he says. "But first, why don't you change out of that formal attire? Something more comfortable would be better for a walk."
Elara nods, grateful for the suggestion. She moves to change into something more suitable, while Caden waits patiently outside her room.
Meanwhile, back in the grand hall, the atmosphere has grown increasingly tense. The kingdom's nobles and dignitaries are voicing their concerns, bombarding the king with a multitude of questions.
"What does this mean for the future of our kingdom?" one noble asks.
"How could this have happened?" another demands. "The royal bloodline has always been strong in magic."
"Is this a sign of weakness?" a third voice chimes in. "What implications does this have for our alliances and trade agreements?"
The king stands tall, his face stern as he attempts to field the questions and reassure his people. But it's clear that he's struggling to maintain his composure, his brow furrowed in worry. The high priest steps forward, his voice calm and authoritative. "We must not jump to conclusions," he says. "There may be more to this situation than meets the eye."
The crowd murmurs, some nodding in agreement while others continue to voice their concerns. The king's expression remains resolute, but it's clear that the unexpected revelation has thrown the kingdom into turmoil.
As Elara and Caden step out of the palace through the secret door, they make their way into the woods, the cool night air enveloping them. They walk in silence, the only sound being the crunching of leaves and twigs beneath their feet. The trees tower above them, casting long shadows in the moonlight.
As they reach the usual training spot, they sit down on a rock, Elara still looking a bit shaken from the earlier events. Caden sits beside her, his eyes fixed on the surrounding trees.
Just as they're starting to relax, they hear the sound of approaching footsteps. The two people they met last time, Lydon and his companion, emerge from the darkness. Lydon's eyes light up with amusement as he takes in Elara's casual attire.
"Well, I never expected a princess to be outside at this hour," Lydon says, his tone playful. Elara's face remains neutral, but a faint smile plays on her lips. "Same goes for you, Prince," she replies, her voice even.
Caden notices the hint of a smile and feels a pang of jealousy. He remains silent, his expression unreadable.
Lydon's knight, Seraphina, notices Caden's gaze lingering on Elara, she steps forward and whispers to Caden, "Let's leave them to talk, Caden. Lydon and Elara seem to be getting along well." Her voice is low and gentle, but firm.
Caden hesitates for a moment, his eyes flicking to Elara and Lydon, who are engaged in conversation. He looks back at Seraphina, his expression unreadable. For a moment, he seems uncertain, but then nods slowly in agreement.
"I'll just...step aside for a bit," Caden says, his voice low, as he takes a step back, allowing Lydon and Elara to continue their conversation without interruption. Seraphina nods, a small smile on her face, and turns to follow Caden.
As they move away, Lydon and Elara continue talking, their voices growing softer as the distance between them increases. Caden glances back over his shoulder, his eyes locked on Elara's figure, before turning his attention back to Seraphina.
"Let's give them some space," Seraphina repeats, her voice barely above a whisper. Caden nods, his eyes scanning the surroundings, ever vigilant and ready to protect Elara from any potential danger.
The two of them walk in silence, their footsteps quiet on the forest floor, as they keep a watchful eye on Lydon and Elara from a distance.
Seraphina finally breaks the silence, her voice gentle as she asks Caden, "Do you ever think about quitting your duties, Caden? Settling down, having a family of your own?" Caden's eyes widen slightly, caught off guard by the question. He pauses, collecting his thoughts before responding.
"I vowed to protect and serve Elara until she's no longer in need of my services," he says, his voice firm and resolute. Seraphina's gaze is piercing as she looks at him, her expression thoughtful.
"I know how that feels," Seraphina says, her voice soft. "I vowed to protect Lydon too, to serve him with my life. But sometimes, I wonder what it would be like to leave it all behind, to settle down and have a family of my own." She pauses, her eyes locking onto Caden's, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.
"I think it's natural to want a family, to want someone to share your life with," she continues, her voice filled with a quiet longing. Caden's expression remains neutral, but his eyes betray a flicker of interest.
"That might be sooner than you think," Seraphina says, her voice soft, referring to Caden's duties. "Elara's a grown woman now. She's learning to defend herself, and soon she won't need your protection as much." Caden's expression remains stoic, but his eyes betray a hint of unease. He remains silent for a moment, collecting his thoughts before responding.
"I'll still be by her side, protecting her," he says, his voice low and husky. As he speaks, his gaze drifts back to Elara, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that speaks volumes. Seraphina follows his gaze and smiles kindly, assuming that Caden sees Elara as a daughter figure, someone he cares for deeply but platonically.
"You're a good man, Caden," Seraphina says, her voice filled with warmth. "You care deeply for Elara, and it's clear that you're committed to her well-being." Caden's expression remains neutral, but his eyes never leave Elara's figure, his gaze burning with a quiet intensity that suggests there's more to his feelings than mere duty or paternal affection.
Seraphina's eyes linger on Caden's profile, a small smile still playing on her lips. She seems to be lost in thought, her gaze filled with a quiet contemplation. For a moment, it seems like she's about to say something more, something that might reveal her own feelings or thoughts about Caden. But she remains silent, her expression serene, leaving Caden's true feelings about Elara, and her own feelings about him, unclear.