Bound by duty torn by desire

PRINCESS LAENA’S POV The bells of Aelindor rang at sunrise, they always did. A big golden bell rang from the highest tower of the royal palace, I had grown up believing this sound meant everything was well. This morning I wasn’t so certain. I stood on my balcony watching the city wake beneath me, merchants opening their stalls, guards changing shifts along the palace walls. Children ran through the sheets their laughter filling the air warming my heart. Aelindor was beautiful, maybe too beautiful. They called us the Light Kingdom, a Kingdom that had never fallen, a kingdom protected by ancient magic, blessed by the gods. Lately there have been more soldiers at the gates, more closed door conversations between papa and his council. Anytime I asked him what was going on he gives me a weary smile and says nothing is wrong, but I can feel it in my gut something’s wrong and I won’t stop till I find out . A knock sounded behind me ,Sir.Adonis stood at the doorway. The knight entrusted with my safety, the only man my heart yearns for, the only man I can’t seem to reach , my father’s trusted sword “you have been awake since dawn” he said. His voice snaps me back to reality. “so have you”. I answer snarkily “ I have duties”. He replies I smiled faintly looking into his evergreen eyes “and I don’t?” His expression softens, his green eyes catch my blue ones staring “you have breakfast waiting for you, afterwards you have sparing and archery lessons” I roll my eyes “oh how tragic”. I reply sarcastically He smiled, he hid it quickly almost like never happened but I caught it. This was the problem with Adonis, he was always careful with his words, his expressions especially with me. His green eyes met my blue ones for a moment before he looked away, I hated that. An unnerving silence surrounded the room The horn sounded from the western wall Once Twice Adonis’s expression darkened, my heart tightened. I knew what it meant, this time the bells weren’t welcoming us but warning us of what is to come PRINCE CAIN’S POV I have always hated the color white, it reminded me of Aelindor,. Their white towers, their white banners and armor. They believed they were somehow better than everyone who lived beyond their borders. From the highest tower of Dreadhold, I watched their pretentious little kingdom through the spyglass in my hand. It looked peaceful. That was almost amusing Behind me the war council argued. Their voices echoed through the stone chamber, a chamber specially designed to withhold the secrets of the council of dreadhold. “we have taken the western border of Aelindor” “Their pass cannot withhold another assault” “We have to strike now but our soldiers are spread thin” “the king must decide now” My father said nothing, staring down at them from his throne He looked tired His fingers rested against the armrest, slowly tapping lightly “Cain” My name cut through their arguments, echoing across the chamber The air suddenly felt colder, heavier “yes father” “ you will leave before nightfall” I frowned slightly “where to father” “Aelindor” Silence followed “For what purposes father” His unwavering gaze fixed on mine “you know exactly why” No blade was thick enough to cut the tension in this chamber and my younger brother Draco noticed I did, I have always known but refused to accept it The treaty, the marriage The exchange of a life for peace that might not even last My father’s voice rose higher “You will meet princess Laena” That name made my breath hitch, made my knuckles tighten The Light Kingdom’s Jewel Silver haired paired with striking blue eyes, the beloved princess of Aelindor I’ve heard stories about her, a girl wrapped in sunlight and myth, spoken of like she was something untouchable. “And if she refuses?” I asked my father My father’s expression hardened “Then thousands die” I nodded and left the stone chamber my brother Draco followed closely behind me, only one name echoed in my head Princess Laena .