The Echoes of Forgotten

Chapter 11.(I)

Even with the presence of the fireplace full of burning logs, the atmosphere was growing colder in the tent. The two persons of authority sat on either end, while one was glaring intensely, the other simply sat there with an annoying smile on his face.

Lady Calytrix who was standing beside Elara’s makeshift bed had been straining her neck to see the both parties in turn. Her old bones shivered slightly, not from the cold but from the tension around her.

Her attention mostly was on this rogue prince. To her knowledge, Lady Elara had never met him, nor had they any reason to meet. Then why was he here? To check on her? Thats absurd!!

Lady Calytrix couldn’t understand his reasons, but the way he carried himself- so casually, so arrogantly- made her uneasy. He could be a prince but at the moment he was in a Commander’s tent, he could show some manners at the very least.

The prince, however, oblivious or simply indifferent to the growing tension in the tent, exhaled a quiet sigh before speaking.

“You could at least show me some courtesy,” he said, his tone light, yet undeniably expectant. “I did come all this way just to check on you.”

Elara who had been watching him in silence, finally spoke. “And your Highness could have done the same by not disturbing my rest,” she countered, her voice calm but edged with steel. “Yet your highness still thought it better to march in here, even after being informed of my condition being unfit to receive guests- as for your highness coming all this way, I was told your highness was in the area when you coincidently heard about my situation.”

“Ah, but My Lady- Ops! Commander! Fate works in strange ways,” he mused, a trace of a smile lingered on the corner of his lips. “and who am I to ignore its calls?”

Elara let out a soft scoff. She had not expected the man to be soo annoying. “Fate?” she replied dryly. “You mean a passing band of mercenaries?”

Adrian chuckled, his voice ringing like music in the air, ”Perhaps mercenaries are but fate’s messengers,” he countered, crimson eyes gleaming with mischief. “Delivering me exactly where I was meant to be.”

Lady Calytrix blinked, momentarily thrown by the absurdity of his response.

Elara, however, was not amused. Rather, she felt tired of this conversation that was going nowhere. She needed answers and all she had gotten so far were... excuses and nonsense.

“I don’t indulge in fantasies, Your Highness. I prefer reality- things that are tangible and practical.” Her gaze sharpened, her patience wavering thin. “So, if you have something to say, get to the point. Otherwise, you’ve already checked on me, and may leave now.”

The smile didn’t leave Adrian’s face, but something in his expression shifted ever so slightly. Amusement gave way to something more calculating, more serious. The man who was so nonchalant and light-hearted a while ago finally sobered.

“... I do have something to say,” he admitted, before turning his gaze toward Lady Calytrix. “But not with an audience. Leave us.”

Calytrix hesitated, glancing at Elara for confirmation, but before she could move, Elara’s voice cut through the space between them. Her eyes fixed on Adrian, trying to figure him out.

“That won’t be necessary.” She leaned back slightly, suppressing the groan from the pain her shift inflicted on her wounds, but her voice was firm as she continued. “Given my condition, a physician is required to stay with me at all times. Whatever your highness needs to say, you can say in front of her- and, I would rather that you don’t order my people again.”

Truthfully, no matter how much Elara acted, she was still an outsider. If she stayed alone with this prince and he asked her something she didn’t know and considering she didn’t know almost anything, it was best to keep the Lady beside her.

Adrian studied her for a long moment before exhaling a mild exasperation. “How convenient,” he remarked. “Being Commander must be quite useful- you get to assign anyone you want to accompany you on missions. And yet, on such an important mission, you assigned your nanny as your physician. I get she is from house Lavender and all but still...”

Calytrix stiffened beside Elara, who showed no signs of panic or the chaos that was created by his words. Her nanny? So this lady was her nanny? That explains her motherly instincts toward her.

“Would Your Highness care to test my physician’s skill himself?” she asked, her tone deceptively polite. “Perhaps you’ll find her far more capable than you assume.”

“Adrian chuckled, shaking his head slightly. “No need,” he said, his smirk returning. “I’d rather not give you an excuse to poison me.”

“Poison Your Highness?” she repeated, startled. “Why would I-“

“Since you are not in any condition to be conversing alone,” he cut her off smoothly, his tone light, but lacking the teasing arrogance from earlier, “You should rest.”

He stood up but instead of turning to leave- he walked straight toward her.

Elara’s breath hitched, her already pounding heat thudding louder in her chest. There was something different in the way he moved now, something deliberate. The playful arrogance that had colored his words moments ago was gone. Something else took its place, something quieter- something unsettling real as if the playful and arrogant behavior was nothing but a facade. Or was it this seriousness?

Gone was the detached, smirking prince who had spent most of their exchange toying with words. Now, as he stopped beside her bed, Elara could see it clearly in his face.

Genuine concern.

Lady Calytrix reacted instantly, stepping between them, her stance stiff and protective. Yet Adrian made no further move, neither did he protest, his crimson eye still locked onto Elara’s.

For the first time since he entered her tent, the weight of his presence felt different. He was no longer just an intruder in her space, carelessly testing boundaries. There was something different now- something composed, unwavering.

Something regal.