chapter 5: The King's Interest
1091 Words
Elara barely slept that night.
Every time she closed her eyes, she remembered the royal celebration.
The music.
The ballroom.
And most of all, the way King Adrian had looked at her.
She turned in her bed and pulled the blanket closer.
"This is ridiculous," she whispered to herself.
She had only spoken to him twice.
Once at the market, when she hadn't even known who he was.
And once at the celebration.
Yet somehow, he had already found a way into her thoughts.
A soft knock came at the door.
"Elara?"
She recognized Sophia's voice.
"Come in."
Sophia entered carrying two cups of tea.
"I knew you wouldn't be asleep."
Elara sat up.
"Why?"
"Because you have been staring at the ceiling for almost an hour."
Elara frowned.
"How would you know that?"
"Because I know you."
Sophia handed her the tea and sat beside her.
For a few seconds, neither spoke.
Then Sophia smiled mischievously.
"So..."
Elara sighed.
"Don't."
"You like him."
"I barely know him."
"That didn't answer my question."
Elara looked away.
"I don't know what I feel."
Sophia's smile softened.
"That's okay."
Elara took a sip of her tea.
"What do you think of him?"
"The king?"
"Yes."
Sophia thought for a moment.
"He's handsome."
Elara laughed.
"That's all?"
"And powerful. And apparently very interested in you."
Elara shook her head.
"He is the king. He probably speaks like that to every woman."
Sophia stared at her.
"Did you see the way he looked at you?"
Elara said nothing.
She had.
She couldn't deny it.
There had been something intense in his eyes, something that made her feel as though the crowded ballroom had disappeared.
Sophia leaned closer.
"Just be careful."
Elara looked at her.
"Why?"
"Because kings don't live ordinary lives."
Elara smiled.
"Neither do future queens."
Sophia laughed.
Neither girl knew how important those words would become.
---
The following morning, Elara was having breakfast with her parents when a royal carriage arrived at the estate.
Her father immediately stood.
"Who could that be?"
A servant entered.
"Sir, a royal messenger has arrived."
Elara's heart skipped.
Her mother looked at her.
"Do you know anything about this?"
Elara shook her head.
The messenger entered and bowed.
"I bring a message from His Majesty, King Adrian."
Her father accepted the sealed letter.
He opened it carefully.
As he read, his expression changed.
"What does it say?" Elara asked.
Her father looked at her.
"The king wishes to invite our family to the royal gardens this afternoon."
Elara froze.
Sophia, who had been invited to breakfast, nearly choked on her drink.
Her mother smiled.
"That's a great honor."
Elara tried to hide her excitement.
"Why would the king invite all of us?"
Her father gave her a knowing look.
"Perhaps you should ask him yourself."
Her cheeks turned red.
"Father!"
Everyone laughed.
---
That afternoon, Elara arrived at the royal gardens with her family.
The gardens were enormous.
Flowers of every color lined the stone pathways, fountains sparkled beneath the sunlight, and tall trees provided shade along the walking paths.
But Elara barely noticed any of it.
She was searching for one person.
Then she saw him.
King Adrian stood near the fountain, dressed simply in a dark royal coat.
The moment his eyes found Elara, his expression softened.
He walked toward her.
"Welcome."
Elara curtsied.
"Your Majesty."
Adrian looked at her parents.
"Lord and Lady Arwen, thank you for accepting my invitation."
Her father bowed.
"It is our honor."
The king turned back to Elara.
"Would you walk with me?"
Her father looked at her.
Elara nodded.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
They began walking through the gardens.
For several moments, neither spoke.
Finally, Adrian broke the silence.
"Do you always obey your parents?"
Elara smiled.
"Usually."
"Usually?"
"There are exceptions."
He raised an eyebrow.
"The market?"
She laughed.
"Perhaps."
"I thought so."
Elara looked at him.
"Why did you invite us here?"
Adrian stopped walking.
"Do I need a reason?"
She hesitated.
"I suppose not."
He looked directly into her eyes.
"I wanted to see you again."
Her heart skipped.
"Why?"
"Because you caught my attention."
Elara didn't know how to respond.
She looked away.
"Your Majesty, you don't really know me."
"Then perhaps I should."
His words were quiet, but certain.
Before Elara could answer, a voice interrupted them.
"Your Majesty."
They turned.
A royal advisor approached with an urgent expression.
"There is a matter that requires your attention."
Adrian's expression hardened.
"I'll handle it later."
The advisor hesitated.
"But Your Majesty—"
"I said later."
The advisor bowed and walked away.
Elara looked at him.
"You should go."
Adrian shook his head.
"It can wait."
"Can it?"
He smiled.
"For a little while."
Elara couldn't help smiling back.
---
From across the garden, Sophia watched them.
She had never seen Elara this happy.
Her best friend looked different.
Lighter.
Almost glowing.
Sophia smiled.
She was genuinely happy for her.
But another person wasn't.
Lady Victoria stood beside one of the garden pillars, watching the king and Elara closely.
Her hands tightened around her fan.
For years, she had believed she would become queen.
Her family had been discussing an alliance with the royal family for months.
And now a young woman from a noble family had suddenly captured the king's attention.
Victoria's eyes narrowed.
"Who is she?"
The lady beside her whispered, "Her name is Elara."
Victoria repeated the name quietly.
"Elara."
She watched as the king smiled at something Elara said.
Something inside her twisted.
She had never seen Adrian look at her that way.
And she wasn't willing to simply stand aside.
---
As the sun began to set, Elara prepared to leave.
King Adrian walked her back to her family.
Before she entered the carriage, he stopped her.
"Elara."
She turned.
"Yes?"
"I hope you'll come to the palace again."
She smiled politely.
"If my parents permit it."
"I'll make sure they do."
Elara laughed softly.
"Goodnight, Your Majesty."
"Goodnight."
The carriage began moving.
Elara looked back through the window.
Adrian was still standing there.
Their eyes met one last time.
She smiled.
Then the carriage disappeared down the road.
Elara didn't know it yet, but the king's interest in her was becoming the subject of whispers throughout the kingdom.
And while she believed she had simply found someone who made her heart beat faster, others were already seeing her as a threat.
The happiest chapter of Elara's life had begun.
She had no idea how painfully it would end.
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