chapter 8: The first crack
1296 Words
Three weeks had passed since King Adrian had formally asked Elara's family for permission to court her.
Since then, everything had changed.
The estate was constantly filled with servants, seamstresses, messengers, and visitors from the royal court. Preparations for the future marriage had already begun, even though the wedding date had not yet been announced.
Elara sometimes found it difficult to believe that all of it was happening to her.
She stood before the mirror while a seamstress adjusted the sleeves of a beautiful ivory gown.
"Hold still, my lady."
Elara sighed.
"I've been holding still for an hour."
Sophia, sitting nearby, laughed.
"You'll have to get used to it. Queens don't get to complain about dresses."
Elara turned toward her.
"Then perhaps I don't want to be queen."
Sophia raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
Elara smiled.
"No."
"I knew it."
They both laughed.
The seamstress returned to her work, but Elara's attention drifted toward the window.
She had received another letter from Adrian that morning.
It was short, as usual.
Meet me at the old garden this evening. There is something I want to show you.
She had read it so many times that she knew every word by heart.
"What are you thinking about?" Sophia asked.
"Nothing."
"You're thinking about him."
Elara smiled.
"Maybe."
Sophia shook her head.
"You have completely changed."
"How?"
"You used to complain whenever someone mentioned the king."
"That was before I knew him."
"And now?"
Elara's smile softened.
"Now I can't imagine my life without him."
Sophia's expression became quiet.
For a brief moment, something unreadable crossed her face.
But it disappeared almost immediately.
"I'm happy for you," she said.
Elara reached for her hand.
"And I'm lucky to have you."
Sophia smiled.
"Always remember that."
---
That evening, Elara secretly left the estate with Sophia.
The old garden wasn't far from the city, but it was rarely visited by members of the royal family.
Adrian was already waiting.
When he saw Elara, his face brightened.
"You came."
"You asked me to."
He walked toward her.
"I was beginning to think you'd forgotten."
"Never."
Sophia remained several steps behind them, giving them privacy.
Adrian took Elara's hand.
"I have something for you."
He pulled a small velvet box from his coat.
Elara's eyes widened.
"What is it?"
"Open it."
She slowly lifted the lid.
Inside was a delicate silver necklace with a small red stone hanging from the center.
"It's beautiful."
"It belonged to my mother."
Elara immediately looked up.
"I can't accept this."
"I want you to have it."
"Adrian..."
He gently took the necklace from the box.
"My mother gave it to me before she died. She told me that one day, I should give it to the woman I intended to spend my life with."
Elara's eyes filled with emotion.
"And you are giving it to me?"
He nodded.
"Because I have made my choice."
He placed the necklace around her neck.
His fingers briefly touched her skin.
Elara looked down at the pendant.
"I'll treasure it."
Adrian smiled.
"I know."
They stood silently beneath the trees.
For a moment, the world felt perfect.
But perfection never lasted.
---
The following morning, a royal messenger arrived at the estate.
Elara's father immediately went to meet him.
The messenger carried a sealed letter bearing the royal crest.
Her father opened it.
His expression changed.
"What's wrong?" Elara asked.
He looked at her.
"Nothing."
But she knew her father well enough to know he was hiding something.
"What did the letter say?"
He hesitated.
"The king has called for a council meeting."
"Is that unusual?"
"No."
Her father folded the letter.
"But this one is different."
Before Elara could ask another question, another servant rushed into the room.
"Sir!"
"What is it?"
"There are rumors spreading in the capital."
Her father's face hardened.
"What rumors?"
The servant lowered his voice.
"People are saying the king's choice of bride is causing disagreements among the noble families."
Elara's heart sank.
"Because of me?"
"No one has accused you of anything," her father said quickly.
But the servant's expression suggested otherwise.
---
By afternoon, the rumors had spread beyond the capital.
Some claimed Elara had deliberately seduced the king.
Others said her family was trying to gain control over the throne.
There were even whispers that her father wanted to use his daughter's marriage to influence the king.
Elara couldn't understand it.
She had done nothing wrong.
She sat in her room, staring at the necklace Adrian had given her.
A knock came at the door.
Sophia entered.
"You heard?"
Elara nodded.
"Everyone is talking."
Sophia sat beside her.
"Don't listen to them."
"But why are they saying these things?"
"Because people are jealous."
Elara looked at her.
"Do you think so?"
"I know so."
Sophia took her hand.
"Your family has served the crown for years. The king trusts you. That's what matters."
Elara leaned against her.
"I wish things could stay simple."
Sophia's fingers tightened around hers.
"They won't."
Elara looked at her.
"What?"
Sophia quickly smiled.
"I mean, you're marrying a king. Nothing about your life will ever be simple again."
Elara laughed softly.
"You're right."
Neither of them noticed the figure standing outside the room.
A maid had been sent to deliver a message.
But she had overheard their conversation.
And she wasn't the only one listening.
---
That evening, Adrian called an emergency meeting with his council.
Several nobles stood around the long table.
One of them spoke first.
"Your Majesty, these rumors are becoming dangerous."
Adrian's expression was cold.
"Rumors are not facts."
"Perhaps not, but the people are beginning to believe them."
Another nobleman spoke.
"Some members of the council believe Lady Elara's family has become too powerful."
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
"My future wife is not responsible for your political fears."
The room fell silent.
Future wife.
The words made it clear.
Adrian had already made his decision.
But one council member wasn't satisfied.
"Your Majesty, you should reconsider."
Adrian stood.
"I have heard enough."
The council member lowered his head.
Adrian walked toward the door.
Then he stopped.
"Anyone who spreads lies about Lady Elara or her family will answer directly to me."
He left the room.
But outside the council chamber, a woman was waiting.
Lady Victoria.
She watched the king walk away.
Her expression was calm.
Too calm.
A royal lady approached her.
"Did you hear?"
Victoria nodded.
"He won't change his mind."
"What will you do?"
Victoria looked toward the closed doors.
"I'm not going to fight the king."
The woman looked confused.
"Then what?"
Victoria smiled faintly.
"I don't need to fight him."
She turned away.
"I only need to make him question the woman he loves."
---
That night, Elara stood by her bedroom window.
The city lights flickered in the distance.
She touched the necklace around her neck.
Despite the rumors, she still believed everything would be fine.
Adrian loved her.
Her family supported her.
And Sophia was by her side.
What could possibly go wrong?
She smiled to herself.
Then she noticed something on the ground beneath her window.
A folded piece of paper.
Elara frowned.
She opened the window and picked it up.
There was no name on it.
Only six words.
You don't know who you can trust.
Her smile disappeared.
She looked around the dark garden.
No one was there.
Elara slowly folded the message.
For the first time since meeting Adrian, fear settled inside her heart.
She didn't know who had sent the warning.
She didn't know whether it was a threat or a cruel joke.
But one thing was certain.
The perfect life she had dreamed of was beginning to crack.
And somewhere in the shadows, someone was preparing to destroy it.
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