Chapter 7
1313 Words
Serena
It had been a few months since I was unexpectedly promoted - no longer scrubbing dishes , now I was setting tables for the nobility . A grand improvement , they said . But I knew the truth : it was thanks to him
Toren Ravenskar .
Commander , hero , executioner . The man everyone whispered had started the war . The man I was supposed to hate .. but somehow couldn’t .
He started appearing more often . Watching me . Not like a commander would . As if he were trying to to peer through me , searching for something beneath the surface . He checked my work even when it’s wasn’t his duty . Always nearby , like a shadow that refused to fade .
And then one evening , he approached me again .
“Ella ,” he said in his usual calm voice . “Come . You’ve earned a break . “
“And if I don’t want to ?” I shot back , as I often did .
“Then don’t . But I’ll be waiting by the gates .”
He knew I’d follow .
And I did .
We walked through the city of Varkadia under a quiet evening sky . The war felt far away for once . Families were returning home , lanterns glowed in windows , and the streets murmured with peace . He didn’t speak , and neither did I , but the silence between us pulsed with something unspoken .
Eventually , we left the city walls and climbed a low hill covered in soft grass . I sat , gazing up at the dark sky scattered with stars . Toren lay down beside me . Then , slowly , he rested his head on my lap .
“I know you don’t trust me , “ he said softly . “ But I want to tell you something .”
“Oh? Another attempt to win sympathy ?” I asked dryly .
“No . Just .. something I’ve carried for a long time .”
He paused . His breath was steady , but there was tension in his voice . And in my chest , something tightened - my own heartbeat , perhaps .
“When I was a boy , I grew up in the palace . My father was a commander , like me . And there was a girl there . The king’s niece .
Her name was Serena .”
The name hit me like ice water .
I turned to look at him , but he didn’t meet my gaze . His eyes were lost in a distant memory .
“We were friends . Inseparable , really . She was incredible . Kind . Brave . Stubborn in the worst and best ways .” He gave a faint smile .
“Her mother vanished , left her with the king . Eight years later , she came back and took Serena away . Just like that . And I never saw her again .”
I stared at him , unsure what to say .
“You loved her ?” I asked before I could stop myself .
“Yes .” He didn’t hesitate . “I still do , I suppose . Though she’s probably changed . Or dead . Of forgotten me . “
I looked away . His words burned more than I cared to admit .
“Funny .” I said with forced indifference . “That she and I share a name .”
“ I thought you said your name was Ella .”
“I say a lot of things ,” I replied with a smirk . “What would you do if Serena suddenly came back ?”
He stilled for a moment , then nodded slowly .
“I’d know her . By her eyes , her voice , her gaze . Serena .. you don’t forget someone like that . “
Would you ?
He lay back down , staring at the sky . I stayed upright , back straight , heart pounding . Staring into the darkness , wondering what would happen if he ever saw trough me .
We stepped into the inner garden . The moon cast a pale light on the paths , while the lanterns bathed the marble in a golden glow . We walked in silence until we reached a small bench beneath a vine - covered arch .
He sat first . I followed , not too close .
“I’ve been thinking ,” he began , his gaze fixed on the darkness . “If you only knew how much hides beneath a commander’s armor .. you’d probably be surprised .”
I said nothing . Let him talk .
“Do you know who my hero was when I was a boy ? “
I expected him to name some Varkadian warrior . Perhaps his father . But he surprised me .
“Marshal Frostvale . Of Elvenya .”
My fingers clenched around the fabric of my skirt .
“He was everything I wanted to be . Noble , honest .. incorruptible . He inspired me . Even though he was from the other side , I respected him . I tried to become like him . But things went wrong ,”he paused , closing his eyes for a moment . “Then came the rumors . That I’d killed him . That the war started because of me .”
I didn’t know what to say . He was speaking of my father . The man I had loved with all my heart . The man for whom I had come .. to take revenge .
“You don’t seem like a murderer ,” I said cautiously , avoiding his gaze .
He gave a faint , bitter smile .
“And you ..” - he turned to me , looking directly into my eyes - “you don’t seem to like a servant .”
I looked away .
“Why are you hiding your real name ?”
His words were soft , but so directly they knocked the air from my lungs .
“That name .. it doesn’t matter anymore , “ I whispered . “ I just want to be myself . Without a past . Without belonging to anyone .”
He didn’t look away .
“Serena .. if that’s your real name - why did you hide it ? “
I stood up . My voice trembled from the tension .
“Because in this palace , a name can cost you your life . Because that name .. isn’t for you .”
He rose too . His expression wasn’t threatening - rather , it was wounded . Almost pleading .
“You don’t trust me ?”
“Would you ?” I snapped . “You admired the marshal - and yet you let the world believe you killed him .”
He froze .
“I didn’t kill him ,”he said quietly . “But no one believes me . Not even you .”
I pressed my lips together , refusing to answer .
He took a step toward me . My heart pounded loudly in my chest .
“Whatever your name is .. you changed my life . I just wanted to know who you truly are .”
I turned away .
“It’s better if you don’t .”
And I left him there , alone in the garden - surrounded by the shadows of the vines , the moonlight , and memories .
- Writer
