The First Encounter
Chapter One
A wave of scorching heat rushed toward her, and Eleanor collapsed onto the burning ground. Each shallow breath seared her throat and nose as if fire itself had invaded her lungs.
The world around her twisted in the blaze until everything blurred into a horrifying sea of orange.
Princess Eleanor, hanging onto her final breath, was about to be swallowed whole by the inferno.
Her body lay limp and powerless. Even the cry for help caught in her throat.
Terror clawed at her chest, spreading and swelling until it devoured her completely—leaving nothing but despair.
Her vision dimmed. All she could hear was the relentless crackle of burning wood and the roar of flames screaming in her ears.
Suddenly, a figure jolted upright from the carved sandalwood bed. Eleanor tore herself free from the nightmare once again.
Inside the silent chamber, her rapid breathing was audible even through the thick, moon-white curtains draped around her bed.
Morning light already glowed faintly beyond the window. In the princess’s residence, the only flicker of light came from a candle at the far end of the room—its flame trembling, nearly burned out.
The soft glow filtered through the veil, filling the room with a silence so heavy it became unnerving—almost frightening.
She pressed her hand against her chest, heart pounding, and turned her head slightly toward the curtains. Between the strands of her disheveled hair, her star-like eyes still shimmered with exhaustion and lingering fear.
The chill of winter seeped into the room, bringing a faint breath of comfort. After a night of haunting dreams, her head throbbed dully, and her chest felt tight and heavy.
“Someone,” Eleanor called out softly, her voice hoarse and edged with weariness.
Two maids in teal gowns immediately swept aside the curtains and tied them back. Sunlight poured into the room, washing away the shadows left by her nightmare.
Not far from the bed, a brazier crackled as fresh coals were added. Suddenly, one of them popped with a sharp sound.
The faint noise made Eleanor flinch. The flicker of heat behind the iron wall seemed to burn straight into her skin.
In an instant, the fear returned. Her brows furrowed, and she said irritably, “Move the brazier farther away.”
“As you command, Your Highness.” The maid bowed her head quickly, sensing her mistress’s foul mood, and dragged the brazier to the far end of the hall.
From behind a folding screen came a woman dressed in a long blue gown. Her face was round and gentle, her manner calm and orderly—clearly a woman of authority in the household. She approached quietly and said in a low voice, “Your Highness, the captain of the royal guard has arrived. By the king’s command, he brings several new knights.”
It was Ava, the stewardess of the princess’s residence.
She neatly picked up a gold-embroidered outer robe and motioned for another maid to bring in a basin of warm water.
Eleanor, still recovering from her nightmare, let a hint of irritation flicker across her face before she composed herself. “When did they arrive?”
“Almost an hour ago,” Ava replied as she set a bronze mirror on the dressing table. “They’ve been waiting outside since then.”
Eleanor rose from the bed, her naturally red lips curving faintly with sarcasm. “So early. My royal brother must be terribly concerned about me.”
The current king was her half-brother—the third prince born of another queen. In their father’s reign, she’d still had to call him “Third Brother.”
Ava dismissed the other maids and lowered her voice. “We only just dealt with the last two spies His Majesty sent. Surely he wouldn’t dare plant more so soon.”
“With my brother still alive, the king will never stop watching us—no matter the risk,” Eleanor replied quietly, sitting before the mirror. She had long since learned to read the king’s mind.
Her full brother, the second prince, had been bedridden for years, frail and withdrawn from court. But even in his weakness, he remained the king’s greatest unease.
Since taking the throne, the king had lived in constant suspicion, fearing that Eleanor and her brother might one day conspire against him.
In the mirror, Eleanor’s reflection was the image of royal grace—poised and composed. Yet her luminous eyes, like spring peach blossoms in full bloom, carried a warmth that could captivate an entire kingdom.
Once she was dressed in her heavy winter cloak, Ava fastened it at her shoulders. The visitors had no doubt been waiting long enough.
The Radiant Sun Hall was the grand reception chamber of the princess’s residence. As Eleanor turned the corner of the veranda, she saw six men in knight’s armor standing guard at the entrance.
They bowed when she passed. She gave them a brief, indifferent glance and went straight inside.
Captain Lawson stood in the center of the hall—a tall man in indigo brocade, his features sharp and noble, his expression polite but detached.
“I’ve kept you waiting, Captain,” Eleanor greeted with a graceful smile.
“Not at all, Your Highness,” Lawson said, bowing with practiced precision. “By His Majesty’s order, I’ve brought new knights to serve in your household.”
Eleanor nodded and took her seat at the main chair. “Show them in.”
The knights entered—sturdy men, silent and expressionless, more strength than subtlety.
She glanced over them. “I only lost two knights, yet you bring me so many replacements?”
Lawson’s lips twitched in discomfort. “Your Highness, if you ever plan to seek rare treasures again, please don’t send these men.”
He referred to her recent expedition. Two weeks earlier, Eleanor had sent knights west to search for rumored gemstones. They never returned, lost to a sudden snowstorm.
Outsiders had called her vain and reckless—a princess who valued jewels more than lives.
Eleanor’s gaze dimmed with quiet regret. “I only trusted the royal guard. That’s why I sent them.”
Lawson sighed, his tone almost paternal. “It takes years to train loyal knights, Your Highness. They are blades meant to protect you in danger, not to be lost to the wilderness.”
The knights before her stood stiffly, eyes downcast. They knew too well that serving the princess brought no glory—only danger.
“I understand,” Eleanor said softly. She looked over the six men again. “Since I lost two, I’ll take two.”
She pointed casually at two on her right. “These two will stay. The rest may return with you.”
Lawson hesitated but bowed. “As you wish.”
The unchosen knights exhaled in relief. Eleanor was already looking away when a voice suddenly broke the silence.
“Your Highness.”
She looked up. One of the knights had dropped to his knees. The others froze mid-step, staring in surprise.
“Please allow me to remain in Your Highness’s service,” the knight said firmly. His back was straight, his tone steady and respectful.
Eleanor tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her eyes. “Raise your head. What’s your name?”
The knight lifted his gaze slightly, his eyes never meeting hers. “Your servant, Nolan.”
Clad in a black warrior’s robe, Nolan’s cool, refined features shone like winter moonlight—beautiful and unyielding.
Eleanor studied him. “Why?”
He didn’t answer. The silence stretched. A few of the other knights snickered quietly.
Eleanor caught the scornful glances and shot them a warning look. The room fell silent again.
Lawson stepped forward quickly. “Forgive me, Your Highness! I must have chosen poorly. I’ll take him back immediately—”
“I’ll keep him,” Eleanor interrupted, leaning back with a faintly amused smile. “The other three, Captain, you may take with you.”
Better to keep the one who risked speaking up than let him go and wonder who sent him.
Nolan, however, showed no joy or fear—his calm gaze betrayed nothing.
Lawson bowed again and left with the remaining knights.
Eleanor’s eyes swept over the three men who stayed. “Serve me well, and you’ll be rewarded.”
Without waiting for their reply, she called toward the doorway. “Chris!”
A tall knight in black armor strode in. With sharp brows and a serious face, he bowed respectfully. “Your Highness, your orders?”
“Find quarters for these three,” Eleanor said. Then, with a thoughtful pause, she added, “Let their rooms be nearby. After all, they already know each other.”
“Thank you, Your Highness,” two of the knights said quickly.
Nolan remained silent, head slightly bowed.
Just as they turned to leave, Eleanor’s voice came again. “Nolan stays.”
He froze, turned back quietly, his expression unreadable.
The other two glanced at him, faint amusement curling at their lips as they left.
