DINNER CONFESSION
704 Words
Elora POV
Dinner is loud in the way only a full house can be.
The table is crowded with plates, laughter, and the soft hum of warmth that never quite fades in their home.
Fleur is animated, hands gesturing as she talks about her floral business-how the winter arrangements sold out faster than she expected, how a human wedding planner wants to collaborate next spring.
"I told you," Jasper says proudly, leaning over to kiss her cheek. "You make beauty grow wherever we land."
He kisses her again-longer this time-and immediately Seren groans.
"Ewww."
Rowan slams his fork down dramatically. "Dad! If you kiss Mommy like that you'll get cooties!
That's what my friend says and I really don't want you guys to get sick."
Jasper laughs, unfazed. "Too late, buddy. Already infected."
Rowan gasps. "I knew it."
The table dissolves into laughter, and Elora smiles despite herself. This-this-is what they were never punished enough to lose.
When the noise settles, Elora clears her throat.
"I have... news."
That gets everyone's attention.
Jasper sets his fork down. Fleur's eyes sharpen gently, the way they always do when something important is coming.
"College?" Fleur asks lightly. "Grades?"
"No," Elora says. "It's about my class. Behavioral sciences."
She explains quickly-meeting Lysander, the debate, the project pairing. What he's like. Calm.
Confident. Not cruel. How he didn't pull away when he learned her name.
"And," she adds quietly, "we're mates."
The room goes still.
Not stunned silence-something deeper. Shock layered with instinct.
Jasper's brows knit together. "You're sure?"
Elora nods. "I am."
Fleur exhales slowly, then smiles-a small, knowing curve of her lips. "I knew change was coming," she says softly. "This is why I stay positive. This is a good thing. He sounds... nice."
Seren scoffs, pushing food around her plate.
"That's great, sis. Really. But we won't be accepted. How are you supposed to be a princess-or a queen-if no one wants us?"
Jasper speaks before Elora can. "Remember what we say."
Seren sighs, already knowing.
Both of them say it together:
"Whether people like you or not doesn't determine your worth."
Fleur smiles warmly. "Exactly, sweetie. I understand your concern-but this happened for a reason. Fate doesn't interrupt lightly."
Jasper nods, more serious now. "Usually I'd let your mother handle the optimism. But royals have power. His family could change the rules-for good. I won't put hope where it doesn't belong... but a prince as your mate?" He exhales.
"That kind of irony doesn't happen without meaning. Years ago, Caspian did everything he could to climb closer to royalty."
The name lands heavier than expected.
Elora hasn't thought about it like that in years.
Flashback - Age Seven
The door slams open.
Fleur stumbles inside, eyes red, breath uneven. Elora looks up from her toys on the floor.
"Mommy? What's wrong?"
Fleur kneels instantly, hands trembling as she cups Elora's face. "Your uncle, your aunt... and Daddy made bad decisions," she says gently. "So we have to move. We're going on an adventure."
Elora frowns. "But what about my friends? And the class party? When will we be back?"
Fleur swallows. "We won't be back," she admits softly. "But wherever we go, you'll make new friends. I'll find you a nice teacher. And no matter what, we have each other. I'll explain more later, okay? Right now we have to pack."
She smiles through tears. "If you get all your toys into these bags, you'll get a special prize."
Elora's face lights up. "Really?"
"Really."
Present Day
It wasn't until days later that Elora understood.
No ceremonies. No coming-of-age rites. No pack gatherings. Just family. Togetherness. Safety.
And it wasn't terrible-but no matter how often you're told you're enough, some part of you remembers an entire culture you were never allowed to grow into.
Rowan suddenly grins. "Yay! Fun Uncle Caspian! When is he coming again? He gave me four chocolates last time-oops. I wasn't supposed to say that."
Jasper sighs. "Rowan."
Rowan shrugs. "Worth it."
Elora laughs softly, but her chest tightens.
Because now-after years of exile, after learning to live small and whole at the same time-fate has placed a royal at her side.
And tomorrow... he's coming to see this home.
- Writer
