Kaelen leaned back against the pillows, his strength still not fully returned. His breathing had steadied, but every movement still took effort.
Lyra sat beside him, one hand lightly resting on the edge of the bed. She hadn't left since she came in.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Kaelen broke the silence.
"Lyra…"
She looked at him. "You shouldn't be talking too much."
"I need to," he said quietly.
There was something in his tone that made her pause.
Kaelen held her gaze. "About the engagement… I'm sorry."
Lyra's expression didn't change immediately.
"I should have been clearer from the beginning," he continued. "I never meant to lead you on. It's just that I've always seen you as a friend, not as—"
"Kaelen." She cut him off.
Her voice wasn't loud, but it was firm.
He stopped talking.
Lyra exhaled slowly, her gaze steady on him. "None of that matters right now."
He frowned slightly. "Lyra—"
"You just woke up," she said. "Focus on that."
There was a brief pause before she added, more quietly but with weight behind it.
"What you feel won't stop the wedding."
The words settled between them heavy and unavoidable.
Kaelen's expression tightened slightly. "So that's it?"
Lyra held his gaze. There was something behind her eyes—something controlled, something she wasn't fully showing.
"You don't get to choose everything," she said. "Not when it involves the kingdom."
Her tone wasn't harsh neither was it soft.
"You just have to make peace with it."
Silence followed. Kaelen didn't respond immediately.
Because he knew, she wasn't entirely wrong.
The door opened, making them both to turn.
Alaric stepped in first, followed closely by King Aldric.
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Lyra stood up from the bed, stepping aside. "Your Majesty," she said, bowing slightly.
The king didn't respond to her immediately. His eyes were already on Kaelen.
"You're awake," King Aldric said.
His voice was controlled, but there was clear relief beneath it.
Kaelen nodded slightly. "I am."
Alaric moved forward without wasting time, already reaching for Kaelen's wrist to check his pulse.
"Don't move too much," he said.
Kaelen let out a faint breath. "I'm not exactly in a position to."
Alaric ignored the remark, and continued.
He checked his pulse carefully, then examined the bandaged wound.
The dark veins had faded slightly. "That's a good sign," Alaric said.
King Aldric stepped closer. "Is he out of danger?"
"Not completely," Alaric replied. "But he's past the worst of it."
The king nodded once, taking that in.
Kaelen looked at him. "The mission?"
Rowan, who had followed behind quietly, spoke this time. "The beast is dead."
Kaelen gave a small nod. "Good."
Alaric adjusted the bandage slightly, making sure it was still secure.
"You'll need rest," he said. "No training, no movement and no stress."
Kaelen almost smiled. "That sounds unrealistic."
"It's not a suggestion," Alaric replied calmly.
King Aldric finally spoke again. "You've done enough for now," he said. "Focus on recovering."
There was a pause.
Then, more quietly, "That's an order."
Kaelen didn't argue, not this time.
Alaric stepped back slightly. "He'll need someone to monitor him."
Lyra spoke immediately. "I'll stay."
There was no hesitation in her voice. King Aldric gave a small nod of approval.
Kaelen's gaze shifted briefly toward the door, like he expected someone else to walk in.
But no one did.
Alaric noticed, but he said nothing. "Get some rest," he said finally.
The room settled again.
The corridor outside was calm.
"Alaric," the king said.
Alaric stopped. "Your Majesty?"
"Come with me."
There was no room for refusal. Alaric nodded and followed.
They entered a smaller chamber not far from the prince's quarters. General Lysender was already there.
He stood with his hands behind his back, his expression unreadable.
Alaric bowed slightly. "General."
Lysender gave a short nod.
King Aldric turned to face Alaric fully. "For your actions," the king began, his voice steady, "you have done more than your duty."
Alaric remained silent.
"You saved my son," the king continued.
"And for that, you have my gratitude."
Alaric lowered his head slightly. "I only did what was necessary, Your Majesty."
The king didn't argue, Instead, he continued.
"From this day forward, you are appointed Royal Physician of Eldoria."
Alaric looked up, surprised despite himself.
"In addition," the king said, "you will be granted an estate close to the palace. You will be needed here."
The words settled in heavy and unexpected.
Alaric bowed deeply this time. "Your Majesty… I am honored."
General Lysender shifted slightly. "Your Majesty," he said, his tone controlled, "if I may."
The king's gaze moved to him. "Speak."
Lysender's eyes briefly flicked to Alaric before returning to the king. "This decision may be… premature."
The room stilled slightly. "The healer has proven useful," Lysender continued, "but his daughter—Elara, remains an uncertainty."
Alaric's expression tightened slightly.
Lysender didn't stop. "She has already displayed abilities we do not fully understand. Power like that unchecked can become a threat."
The implication was clear. King Aldric's expression hardened.
"That is enough."
Lysender fell silent immediately. The king stepped forward slightly.
"My son is alive because of her," he said. His voice was calm but firm.
"Because of her, and because of all of them."
His gaze didn't leave Lysender. "I will not punish loyalty or aid with suspicion."
"That will be all."
Lysender bowed his head slightly but the tension remained.
Alaric stepped forward again and bowed. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The king gave a small nod. "You will begin your duties immediately."
Alaric straightened. "Yes, sire."
With that, he turned and left the room.
As Alaric stepped out into the corridor, he paused.
Elara and Darin were already there,waiting for him.
Elara moved toward him immediately, her eyes searching his face.
"Father… what did they say?"
Darin stepped closer too, arms folded but clearly just as curious.
Alaric looked at both of them for a moment, then he spoke.
"We might have a new home."
There was a brief pause. Both of them blinked.
"What?" they said at the same time.
Alaric let out a small breath, almost like he was still processing it himself.
"The king has appointed me as the Royal Physician," he said. "And he has granted us an estate… close to the palace."
Elara's eyes widened slightly. Darin straightened.
"For real?" Darin asked, a hint of disbelief in his voice.
Alaric gave a small nod. "Yes."
Elara's expression shifted—surprise, relief… and something else she couldn't quite name.
"That means…" she started, then stopped.
"That means things are changing," Alaric said.
Darin let out a low whistle. "From a cottage to an estate just like that…"
Alaric's expression softened slightly as he looked at them.
"We earned this," he said. "But it also means responsibility."
His gaze lingered on Elara for a second longer.
"We need to be careful."
Elara nodded slowly. "I understand."
But deep down, she knew this wasn't just about a new home.
Everything was shifting and there was no going back.