The king mistress

Elara pressed her forehead against the window and sighed. Outside, the streets of the city were alive with people. Merchants called out to customers, children ran between the stalls, and the smell of freshly baked bread drifted through the open window. She wanted to be out there. Instead, she was trapped inside her family's estate. "You're doing it again." Elara turned and saw Sophia standing behind her. "Doing what?" "Staring at the market like you're planning to run away." Elara smiled. "Maybe I am." Sophia laughed. "You know your parents would never allow you to go there alone." "I know." "Then stop dreaming about it." Elara turned back to the window. "I just want to feel normal for one day." Sophia watched her for a moment before shaking her head. "Fine." Elara looked at her. "Fine what?" "We're going." Her eyes widened. "You're serious?" "Very. But we have to sneak out." Elara's smile grew. Within minutes, they changed into simple dresses and covered their hair with scarves. They slipped through the back entrance of the estate while the servants were busy. When they finally reached the market, Elara couldn't stop smiling. "This was a terrible idea," Sophia said. "You said that after we left." "And I still mean it." Elara laughed. They walked between the stalls, looking at jewelry and colorful fabrics. Neither of them noticed the royal carriage that had stopped nearby. King Adrian had come to the market to see how his people were living. But the moment he stepped out of the carriage, his attention was caught by a young woman laughing beside a fruit stall. Elara. He had never seen her before. Yet he couldn't take his eyes away. "Who is she?" he asked quietly. His guard looked in the direction of his gaze. "We'll find out, Your Majesty." At that moment, Elara turned. Her eyes met the king's. For a few seconds, the noise of the market seemed to disappear. Neither of them knew it yet, but that single glance was the beginning of a story that would eventually end in betrayal, revenge, and a forbidden place beside the king. She had gone to the market looking for freedom. She had no idea she would catch the king's eye.