chapter three: A reason to return
633 Words
Sleep refused to come.
Elara lay on her bed, staring at the embroidered canopy above her, replaying the evening in her mind.
The music.
The endless introductions.
The forced smiles.
And somehow...
Out of everything that had happened that night, one person occupied her thoughts.
Cassian.
She smiled to herself.
His calm voice.
His quiet smile.
The way he spoke to her without trying to flatter her.
It was... refreshing.
She turned onto her side and sighed.
"This is ridiculous," she whispered to herself.
She had spoken to him for barely a few minutes.
Why couldn't she stop thinking about him?
The next morning, sunlight poured into her chambers as Lysette drew open the curtains.
"Good morning, Your Highness."
Elara buried herself deeper beneath the blankets.
"It can't possibly be morning already."
Lysette laughed.
"I'm afraid it is."
A maid entered carrying breakfast while another began preparing Elara's wardrobe for the day.
As they worked, Elara remained unusually quiet.
Lysette noticed immediately.
"You're thinking about him again."
Elara sat upright.
"I beg your pardon?"
"The butler."
"I am doing no such thing."
Lysette folded her arms.
"You've denied it twice now."
"...Have I?"
"Yes."
Elara sighed dramatically.
"Fine."
Lysette smiled triumphantly.
"I knew it."
Elara hesitated before asking as casually as she could,
"What do you know about him?"
"Who?"
"Cassian."
Lysette tried very hard not to smile.
"So you remember his name."
Elara grabbed a pillow and threw it at her.
"Answer the question."
Laughing, Lysette caught it.
"I don't know much. Only that he serves House Ravenshire."
"House Ravenshire..."
The name sounded familiar.
Then she remembered.
Princess Nerina.
She had met the princess several times during royal gatherings over the years.
They weren't particularly close.
More acquaintances than friends.
Still...
It was enough.
A thought slowly formed in her mind.
Later that afternoon, Elara wandered through the palace library.
Rows upon rows of books lined the walls, but she found herself unable to focus on a single page.
Instead, she kept recalling Cassian's smile.
Small.
Almost unnoticeable.
Yet somehow...
It had felt more genuine than every smile she'd received from the nobles at the ball.
"You look troubled."
Elara looked up.
Queen Evelyn stood nearby with a knowing expression.
"I was simply thinking."
"About yesterday's celebration?"
"In a way."
Her mother smiled gently.
"You've never enjoyed royal gatherings."
"They're exhausting."
"They're necessary."
Elara lowered her gaze.
"I know."
The Queen reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind her daughter's ear.
"One day, you'll understand why your father insists on them."
Elara forced a smile.
She wasn't so sure.
---
That evening, while enjoying tea with Lysette, inspiration struck.
"Lysette."
"Yes?"
"When was the last time House Ravenshire invited us for tea?"
Lysette looked suspicious.
"I... don't remember."
"Neither do I."
A slow smile spread across Elara's face.
"I think it's time we paid them a visit."
Lysette nearly dropped her teacup.
"A visit?"
"Princess Nerina and I have been meaning to spend more time together."
"Have you?"
"...We will."
Lysette stared at her.
"This has absolutely nothing to do with a certain butler, does it?"
Elara looked away innocently.
"Of course not."
"You are a terrible liar."
"I prefer the term optimistic."
Lysette laughed despite herself.
"You realize I know exactly what you're planning."
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Oh, I'm sure."
---
Far away, at Blackthorn Manor, Cassian finished arranging fresh flowers in the drawing room before preparing afternoon tea for Princess Nerina.
His work was as orderly as ever.
The royal ball had come and gone.
Life had returned to normal.
Or so he believed.
He had no way of knowing...
That somewhere inside Valencrest Palace, a princess was already searching for an excuse to see him again.
And fate, as always...
Was quietly listening.
- Writer
