The sun was already beginning to set when they returned home.
The familiar sight of their small house in the market felt… different and temporary..
Elara noticed it the moment she stepped inside.
Serenya was there, sorting herbs as usual. She looked up the moment the door opened.
"You're back—" she started, but stopped when she saw their expressions.
Something had changed. "What is it?" she asked, her voice cautious.
Alaric stepped forward. "We've been given a new home."
Serenya blinked. "What?"
Darin leaned casually against the wall. "Not just a house, but an estate close to the palace."
Serenya froze completely. For a moment, she said nothing.
Then slowly—
"Close… to the palace?" she repeated.
Her eyes shifted to Elara. A flicker of something crossed her face.
Not just surprise but something deeper, something like fear.
"That's not all," Alaric added. "I've been appointed Royal Physician."
Serenya's breath caught slightly. "That's… good," she said after a moment, though her voice wasn't as steady as usual.
Elara noticed the slight shift in her face.
"Mother?" she called softly.
Serenya quickly forced a small smile. "It's just unexpected, that's all."
But her gaze lingered on Elara for a second longer than it should have.
By evening, the palace sent a carriage. They didn't have much to pack, just a few belongings.. Herbs and some tools.
Their life, small enough to fit into a few bundles.
Still, as they stepped into the carriage, Elara felt it.
They were leaving something behind.
The ride wasn't long. But when the carriage stopped
everything changed.
The estate stood quietly under the fading light.
It wasn't massive like the palace.
But it was… beautiful.
Clean stone walls, wide windows a calm presence.
And just in front—A small garden.
Elara stepped out slowly, her eyes taking everything in. "Wow…" she breathed.
Darin didn't wait, he rushed in.
"Last one outside gets the worst room!" he called.
Elara's eyes widened. "That's not fair!"
They both ran, the doors opened and they rushed in.
The inside was even better, it was spacious, bright and organized.
Elara barely had time to take it all in before Darin was already heading for the stairs.
"I'm choosing the best room!" he shouted.
"No you're not!" Elara shot back, running after him.
They raced up the stairs.
Elara's eyes locked onto one door at the end of the hall.
The light coming through it, the view, she knew that was the one.
She pushed herself faster. But before she could get there, Darin got there first.
He opened the door and stepped inside. Elara stopped just outside, breathing hard.
"No… no, no, no—"
She rushed in,the room was perfect. Wide windows
and beyond them a clear view of the city.
Elara turned to him immediately. "Darin, please," she said. "I saw it first!"
"No, you didn't," he replied, already looking around like he owned the place.
"You just ran faster!"
"That sounds like a you problem."
Elara moved closer, her voice softening. "Come on… you don't even care about views."
"I do now."
"Darin!"
"No."
Footsteps approached. Serenya and Alaric entered the room.
"What is going on here?" Alaric asked.
Elara turned immediately. "Father, tell him to let me have this room," she said quickly. "I found it first!"
"That's not true," Darin said calmly.
"It is!"
"It's not."
Serenya sighed slightly, then she spoke.
"Darin is older," she said. "He gets to choose first."
Elara froze, her expression shifted. Slowly, her eyes started to fill.
"Seriously?" she said quietly.
Darin noticed it immediately.
The stubborn look on his face faded just a little.
He sighed. "Fine," he said.
Elara looked up. "Really?"
"Yes," he said. "You can have it."
Her face lit up—
"But with one condition," he added.
She narrowed her eyes slightly. "What condition?"
"You do whatever I ask," he said. "Without complaining."
Elara hesitated. "That's not fair."
"You want the room or not?"
She looked around, the view, the space and then back at him.
"…Fine," she said. "I agree."
Darin smirked. "Good."
Alaric shook his head slightly. "You two haven't changed at all."
Serenya smiled faintly.
But her eye drifted back to Elara.
And for a brief moment, that same unease returned.
Elara moved toward the window, her excitement returning.
She pushed it open slightly, letting the cool evening air in.
The city stretched before her, closer than ever.
The palace visible in the distance and everything felt different, bigger and closer and somehow she knew this was a new beginning.