War
345 Words
The northern conflict lasted three months.
For three months, Valeria lived with uncertainty.
Messages arrived irregularly.
Some brought good news.
Others brought fear.
Adrian’s unit defended several villages and helped evacuate civilians from the border.
He rarely thought about himself.
Whenever the fighting became difficult, he remembered the palace garden.
He remembered Elara’s voice.
He remembered the small wooden horse.
And he remembered that someone was waiting for him.
Back in Valeria, Elara refused to remain helpless.
She began helping Queen Celestine organize supplies for wounded soldiers.
She visited families whose sons had gone to war.
She listened to their stories.
For the first time, she understood what being queen might truly mean.
It wasn’t about wearing a crown.
It was about carrying the worries of thousands of people.
One rainy evening, a messenger arrived.
The palace fell silent as he entered the throne room.
“Your Majesty.”
King Aldric stood.
“What news?”
“The northern army has retreated.”
The queen covered her mouth.
“Retreated?”
“The Valerian forces have won.”
A cheer erupted through the palace.
Elara barely heard it.
“Adrian?”
The messenger hesitated.
“Commander Adrian Vale returned with the surviving soldiers.”
Elara didn’t wait for permission.
She ran.
She crossed the courtyard and reached the gates just as the soldiers entered.
There were fewer of them than when they had left.
Then she saw him.
Adrian sat on horseback.
His uniform was worn and his shoulder was bandaged.
But he was alive.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, neither moved.
Then Adrian dismounted.
“Your Highness.”
Elara ignored the formal greeting.
“I’m glad you’re alive.”
His expression softened.
“So am I.”
She wanted to say more.
She wanted to tell him how frightened she had been.
Instead, she simply smiled.
And for that moment, surrounded by soldiers and citizens, they both understood something neither could deny anymore.
Whatever this was between them, it had survived distance.
It had survived fear.
And it was becoming impossible to hide.
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