ROYAL BLOOD 👑

Chapter 24: Echoes of the Past

"Please, Lysander," she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper as she reached out to him. "Don't let this come between us. I love you more than anything in this world."

Elara's heart clenched as Lysander flinched at her words, his reaction sending a surge of pain coursing through her veins. She watched helplessly as he moved away, seeking solace in the distance between them.

With each passing second, the tension in the room seemed to thicken, suffocating them both in its oppressive embrace. Elara felt the weight of Lysander's frustration bearing down on her like a heavy burden, threatening to crush her spirit beneath its weight.

And then, in a sudden burst of emotion, Lysander slammed his hand down on the table with a resounding thud, his face contorted with anger and despair. "Dammit, Elara," he cursed, the words more a lament than an accusation, his frustration directed inward rather than at her.

Elara flinched at the sudden outburst, her heart pounding in her chest as she recoiled from the intensity of his emotions. She had never seen Lysander like this before, his usually calm demeanor shattered by the weight of their shared turmoil.

For a moment, they stood locked in a silent battle of wills, the air between them heavy with unspoken words and unshed tears. And as the echoes of Lysander's outburst faded into the silence, Elara felt a profound sense of sadness wash over her, threatening to engulf her in its depths.

"Lysander," she began, her voice barely a whisper as she reached out to him, her heart breaking at the sight of his pain. "I'm so sorry."

But Lysander turned away, his shoulders slumped with defeat as he retreated further into the darkness that seemed to engulf him. And as Elara watched him disappear into the shadows, a sense of helplessness washed over her, leaving her feeling more alone than ever before.

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Elara's heart felt heavy with each passing moment, trapped in Lysander's room with no means of escape. She could hear the faint murmur of voices outside the door, the sound of footsteps echoing in the hallway as Lysander's men stood guard, ensuring she remained confined within the room.

Despite the ache in her heart caused by Lysander's actions, Elara understood the gravity of the situation. She knew that Lysander's actions were driven by fear and uncertainty. And while she longed to explain herself to him, to make him understand the depth of her love and loyalty, she knew that now was not the time.

With a heavy sigh, Elara resigned herself to the reality of her situation, knowing that she would have to wait for another opportunity to speak with Lysander. In the meantime, she could only hope that he would return to her soon, his heart softened by the knowledge of her unwavering devotion.

As the hours passed and the darkness of night enveloped the mansion, Elara's thoughts turned to Lysander, her heart aching with worry for his safety. She drifted in and out of fitful sleep, her dreams haunted by visions of him facing the king's men alone, his courage and determination tested in the face of danger.

Then, in the early hours of the morning, a loud thud jolted Elara awake from her restless slumber. Startled, she sat up in bed, her heart racing as she listened intently for any sign of danger.

With a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, Elara realized that Lysander had still not returned home. She glanced out the window, her eyes widening in alarm as she spotted the flickering glow of flames illuminating the night sky two blocks away.

Panic surged through her veins as she realized the implications of the fire, her mind racing with fear for Lysander's safety. She knew that his men were likely involved in dealing with the commission, their lives at risk in the line of duty.

Determined to find out what was happening, Elara runs towards the door, her fists pounded against the heavy wooden door, each blow fueled by a mix of fear and desperation. "Let me out!" she cried, her voice echoing through the silent corridor.

After what felt like an eternity, the door finally creaked open, revealing Theodore and another man whose face she couldn't quite place. Elara's heart pounded in her chest as she watched the men standing before her, their expressions grave with concern. Panic surged through her veins as she realized the gravity of the situation unfolding outside.

"I need to find Lysander," she pleaded, her voice trembling with fear. "Please, you have to let me out of here."

But Theodore shook his head, his features etched with sorrow. "Prince Cedric instructed us to keep you here," he explained, his voice heavy with regret.

Elara's eyes widened in alarm at Theodore's words, her mind reeling with disbelief. She couldn't fathom why Lysander would want her confined to his room, especially now, when danger loomed on the horizon.

"I don't understand," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why would he want to keep me locked away while he faces danger alone?"

Before Theodore could respond, the sound of shattering glass filled the room, and Elara's scream pierced the air. Panic surged through her veins as she watched the window fracture, shards of glass raining down onto the floor.

"You still want me to stay in here?!" she shouted, her voice laced with frustration and fear.

Theodore's expression was grave as he ushered her away from the broken window, his eyes scanning the room for any signs of danger. "We need to get you out of here," he urged, his voice urgent.

Elara's heart raced as she followed Theodore and the other man out of the room. "Took you long enough," she mumbled under her breath.

As they made their way through the chaos of the mansion, Elara couldn't help but notice the panic that gripped the other maids. It was clear that everyone was in a state of disarray, their movements frantic as they scrambled to find safety.

"We need to go to the backdoor," Theodore instructed, his voice cutting through the chaos. Elara nodded, her heart pounding in her chest as she followed him, her footsteps echoing against the stone walls of the castle.

As they reached the backdoor, Theodore's words rang in her ears once again. "There's a carriage waiting in the backyard," he said, his tone urgent as he motioned for her to follow him. Without hesitation, Elara followed, her mind racing with worry for Lysander as they made their way to safety.