Bound To The Crown

EPISODE 2

AURIELLA'S POV

Breakfast was unusually quiet. I could feel Father's eyes on me from across the table. When I looked up, he cleared his throat and quickly looked away. I ignored it and returned my attention to the food before me. I hadn't had much of an appetite since the ball.

Father cleared his throat once more.

"Auriella."

"Yes, Father?"

I mentally prepared myself for whatever decision he was about to make.

"Do you like your new personal bodyguard?"

I stole a glance at Kael, who stood silently behind Father. He didn't look at me immediately, and for a moment, I thought he hadn't heard the question. Then, that infuriatingly cocky smile appeared on his face. I quickly looked back at Father and nodded.

"He is good."

"Hmm. Just good?" Father asked, raising a brow. I nodded once more and glanced at Kael. His smile had disappeared, replaced by a slight frown. I laughed inwardly and lowered my gaze.

"The Princess seemed to have quite a time at the ball yesterday, Your Majesty."

I nearly choked on my food and quickly reached for my cup of water.

"Were you asked to speak?" Father asked coldly.

I wiped my mouth with my napkin and shot Kael a wide-eyed glare.

"My apologies, Your Majesty. It won't happen again," Kael said with a slight bow. Despite his apology, his eyes remained fixed on me, and that smug smile slowly returned.

"Please pardon him, Father. I will teach him proper etiquette."

I shook my head before turning my attention back to Father.

"Did Prince Lucien attend the ball?"

"I didn't see him," I replied, trying to sound indifferent.

Father hummed thoughtfully, disappointment evident in his expression.

"Please excuse me."

I offered him a small smile before rising from my seat. He nodded absentmindedly, and I left the dining hall. The sound of Kael's precise footsteps followed closely behind me. Once we were outside, I stopped abruptly and turned to face him.

"Do you not like working here?" I asked, placing my hands on my hips.

He blinked in confusion.

"You don't speak unless you're spoken to," I continued.

Realisation crossed his face as he nodded slowly.

"I'm sorry." The smile lingering on his lips made it clear he wasn't sorry in the slightest. I stared at him for a moment.

"Unbelievable." Rolling my eyes, I turned and continued walking. "I will spend the morning at the library," I said without turning to look at him. I waited for his footsteps to recede, but they didn't. Instead, they grew more precise behind me. I stopped and turned to face him.

"Must you follow me into the library as well?"

"Unfortunately, assassins are not known for respecting royal reading hours, Princess."

I sighed and continued walking. I didn't know personal bodyguards could invade one's privacy this much.

The familiar scent of old books and dust welcomed me the moment I stepped inside the library. Taking a deep breath, I smiled softly. This place had always been my sanctuary—a quiet escape from royal duties and endless expectations. Kael stopped beside me, silently observing my reaction. I ignored him and walked between the shelves, running my fingers along the spines of the books.

As a matter of fact, I had asked the maids not to clean the library unless I requested it. The dust that settled on the old books only made them feel more magical to me.

I pulled a book from the shelf and sat at my favourite table. Just as I lifted it to blow away the dust on its cover, Kael swiftly pulled out a handkerchief and began wiping the book and the table. Closing my eyes, I took a slow breath.

"Kael?"

"Yes, Princess?"

"Did I ask for it to be cleaned?"

He paused and straightened immediately.

"They were dusty."

"I understand that," I replied patiently. "I would have taken care of it myself."

He pressed his lips into a thin line.

"My apologies."

This time, that smug smile was nowhere to be found.

I nodded slowly.

"Please don't do things I haven't asked you to do."

He nodded and stood silently beside me, his eyes fixed ahead. Soon, the library returned to its usual peaceful silence. Just as I was beginning to lose myself in my book, I heard a chair scrape softly against the floor.

Looking up, I watched Kael take a seat opposite me and pick up a book from the table.

Soul of Dragons.

An excellent choice.

I lifted my own book slightly, peeking at him over its cover. There was an amused expression on his face as he flipped through the pages with ease.

"I thought we were here to read, Princess," he said without looking up. Then he glanced at me, amusement dancing in his eyes.

I immediately lowered my gaze and dropped my book onto the table.

"Yes... we are."

"Or is there something you'd like to ask me?"

He closed his book and sat up straighter. Clearing my throat, I absentmindedly played with one of the rings on my finger.

"I didn't know you read books."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Were you expecting me to spend my days sharpening swords and glaring at people?"

I considered his question for a moment.

"Well..."

He placed a hand over his chest dramatically.

"I'm wounded, Princess."

I laughed softly.

"No, that's not what I meant. I simply didn't expect it."

He held up the book in his hand.

"I do. Soul of Dragons happens to be my favourite."

His eyes drifted to the book I was holding.

"You've been smiling ever since we entered the library. When did you develop this interest in books, if you don't mind me asking?"

I smiled fondly and rested my chin on my hand.

"I was eight when I received my very first book. It was then I realised how peaceful it was to simply sit and read alone." I paused before continuing. "When you don't have siblings, you learn to treasure moments like these. Books became my closest companions." A proud smile found its way onto my face. "I even write stories of my own."

"May I read them?" he asked almost immediately.

I blinked in surprise before nodding enthusiastically. Standing from my seat, I walked over to the nearest shelf and pulled out a neatly stacked pile of papers. Returning to the table, I placed them gently into his hands before sitting down once more.

Resting my chin on my palms, I eagerly watched his expression as he skimmed through the pages.

"You're a good writer, Princess."

I dropped my hands onto the table dramatically. "Just good?"

His lips curled into a smile. "Does that offend you?"

It took me only a moment to realise he was referring to what I had said at breakfast earlier that morning.

"I am only joking," he said with a chuckle. "You're a wonderful writer. That is my honest review."

Pride swelled warmly in my chest at his words. He continued staring at me for a few seconds longer than necessary, and suddenly, I found myself tucking a strand of hair behind my ear and looking away.

The library had always been my sanctuary—a place I had never shared with anyone.

Yet, for the first time in my life, I found that I didn't mind the extra chair across from me being occupied.