⊱⋅ ───── 🍂 ───── ⋅⊰
As dawn broke over the tranquil town of Ashcroft, Elara stirred from her slumber, the sound of bustling activity outside her window signaling the start of another day. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she rose from her bed and made her way downstairs, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon greeted her.
To her surprise, she found the women of the town gathered in the kitchen, their laughter mingling with the clatter of pots and pans as they worked together to prepare breakfast for the men who had patrolled throughout the night. Despite living in their own respective houses, it seemed that the women had formed a close-knit community, coming together each morning to share in the tasks of daily life.
Amara, who had become fast friends with Elara since their encounter in the alley, greeted her with a warm smile as she entered the kitchen. "Good morning, Elara," she said cheerfully, her hands busy at work as she sliced bread for toast. "How did you sleep?"
Elara returned Amara's smile, feeling a sense of comfort in her presence. "I slept well, thank you," she replied, her voice still heavy with sleep. "And yourself?"
Amara nodded, her expression brightening at Elara's question. "Oh, I slept like a log," she admitted, her laughter tinkling like wind chimes in the early morning air. "Though I must confess, I'm not much of a morning person."
Elara chuckled softly, relieved to find someone who shared her own reluctance to face the day. "Neither am I," she confessed, grateful for Amara's easygoing nature. "But it seems we'll have to make do, won't we?"
As Elara diligently worked on preparing breakfast, her attention was inadvertently pulled towards the meeting room, where Lysander and the other men engaged in an intense discussion. Their hushed tones and furrowed brows hinted at the seriousness of the matter at hand, leaving Elara curious about the nature of their conversation.
Amidst the commotion, Amara's gaze wandered to William, one of the men present, her eyes sparkling with admiration. Elara couldn't help but notice the way Amara's cheeks flushed pink whenever William spoke, a telltale sign of her friend's budding crush.
"Looks like someone's got a soft spot for William," Elara teased with a mischievous grin, nudging Amara playfully.
Amara's cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red as she shot Elara a playful glare. "Nonsense," she scoffed, though her attempt at denial was betrayed by the sheepish smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
"Come on, Amara, it's written all over your face," Elara persisted, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "You practically light up every time he walks into the room."
Amara's protests grew more feeble with each passing moment, her cheeks burning bright with embarrassment. "Fine, maybe I do find him... intriguing," she admitted with a bashful smile.
With a chuckle, Elara squeezed her friend's hand reassuringly. "Nothing wrong with that. Just enjoy the fluttery feeling while it lasts," she advised, her own heart aching slightly at the thought of never experiencing such affection herself.
⊱⋅ ───── 🍂 ───── ⋅⊰
As Lysander and his companions entered the kitchen, the lively chatter and clinking of utensils filled the air, lending an air of warmth and camaraderie to the room. Elara, focused on her task of preparing breakfast, glanced up as Lysander motioned for her to join the group.
With a hint of uncertainty, Elara approached, her eyes flickering between the faces of the men and women gathered around the table. Lysander, seated in the center, rose to his feet and cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the others.
"Everyone, this is Elara," Lysander announced, his voice carrying across the room. "She showed remarkable bravery in rescuing me, for which I am deeply grateful."
A ripple of murmurs and nods of approval echoed through the room as Lysander's words sank in, eliciting a few smiles and nods of acknowledgment from the assembled group. Elara, unaccustomed to such attention, offered a modest smile in return, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.
As Lysander resumed his seat, the group made room for Elara at the table, gesturing for her to join them. Taking her place among them, Elara felt a mix of nerves and gratitude at being welcomed into their midst.
Her gaze drifted across the faces of her newfound companions, lingering on each in turn. But it was the striking gaze of a young woman, whom Elara assumed to be around her own age, that captured her attention. Locked in a silent exchange, their eyes met, and for a fleeting moment, Elara felt a curious connection to the mysterious stranger.
Despite the warmth and hospitality of her companions, Elara couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled over her as she returned the woman's gaze. There was something about the intensity of her stare that left Elara with a sense of foreboding, as though she had stumbled upon a secret she was not meant to know.
As Elara's curiosity got the better of her, she leaned in towards Amara, her voice barely above a whisper. "Who is that lady?" she inquired, her eyes darting back towards Emilia.
Amara's gaze followed Elara's, a knowing look crossing her features as she responded, "That's Emilia." Sensing Elara's lingering doubt, she added, "She's supposed to be the next queen."
"The next queen?" Elara echoed, her brow furrowing in confusion. "What do you mean by that?"
Amara sighed, her expression growing somber. "Everyone expects her to rule alongside Prince Cedric after he becomes king someday," she explained. "It's just... how things are supposed to be."
A wave of unease washed over Elara as she processed Amara's words, her heart clenching at the implications. The thought of Lysander ruling alongside another, of Emilia taking on such a significant role in his life, filled her with a sense of unease she couldn't quite shake.
As the weight of the news settled over her, Elara couldn't help but wonder about the future that lay ahead, and the role she might play in the unfolding events that seemed to be hurtling towards them. She glanced once more at Emilia, her gaze lingering on the young woman who held such sway over the future of the kingdom.
"Does Lysander know about this?" Elara asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Amara nodded solemnly. "Yes, he does," she replied. "It's... a complicated situation."
Elara bit her lip, the implications of Emilia's presence weighing heavily on her mind. Despite her best efforts to push aside her worries, she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at her insides.
As breakfast continued, Elara found herself stealing glances at Lysander, her mind racing with questions she didn't yet have the courage to ask.
YOU ARE READING
ROYAL BLOOD 👑
Historical Fiction"What in the world are you doing here?" His voice was stern, tinged with annoyance. "You should not have come. It's too dangerous." Elara stepped closer, her determination unwavering despite Lysander's disapproval. "I couldn't leave you here alone,"...
