The queen noticed
444 Words
Queen Celestine had spent twenty-five years learning how to read a room.
She could tell when a minister was lying, when a visiting ambassador was hiding an insult beneath a compliment, and when her husband was angry despite his calm expression.
So it did not take long for her to notice the way her daughter looked at Adrian Vale.
It was not obvious.
Elara never touched him.
She never openly sought him out.
But there was a softness in her expression whenever he entered a room.
And Adrian was no better.
He watched the princess when he thought nobody was looking.
The queen noticed everything.
One evening, she asked Elara to join her in the royal garden.
They walked beneath the roses in silence.
Finally, Celestine said, “How was Prince Lucien today?”
Elara looked at her suspiciously.
“Why are you asking?”
“Because you are supposed to marry him.”
Elara sighed.
“He was kind.”
“Do you care for him?”
“Yes.”
The queen stopped walking.
“That isn’t what I meant.”
Elara looked away.
Her mother took a slow breath.
“Is there someone else?”
Elara’s silence answered the question.
The queen closed her eyes.
“Who?”
Elara hesitated.
“Mother…”
“Who?”
“Adrian.”
The queen looked toward the palace.
For a moment, she said nothing.
Then she whispered, “You cannot.”
“I know.”
“Elara, he is a guard.”
“I know.”
“He has no title.”
“I know.”
“He has no wealth.”
“I know.”
“And you are the future queen of Valeria.”
Elara’s voice broke.
“I know!”
The queen softened.
“I am not angry with you.”
Elara looked at her.
“I am afraid for you.”
“Why?”
“Because the court forgives many things. But it does not forgive a princess who chooses someone beneath her.”
Elara swallowed.
“Then perhaps the court needs to change.”
Her mother smiled sadly.
“You sound like your father did when he was young.”
“Was he rebellious?”
“Very.”
“What happened?”
“He became king.”
They both laughed quietly.
But the queen’s expression soon became serious again.
“Promise me something.”
“What?”
“Do not let your heart make you careless.”
Elara nodded.
“I promise.”
The queen touched her daughter’s cheek.
“Because if Lord Marius discovers this…”
She didn’t finish.
She didn’t need to.
They both knew what could happen.
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