Chapter 5 - The Weight Of The Crown
Elara wakes up. Her eyes glistening in the morning light. She hadn't moved from where she slept — or rather how she slept.
She turned to her side, Kaelos was still asleep. She thinks of why he didn't bring Athena home, or even lie with her like she thought he would.
Elara could not deny that he looked peaceful as he slept. His lips a light shade of pink, his nose was pointed, and his hair, his golden hair fell across his face.
A strand looked like it got stuck between his lips. Elara reached forward, hoping to brush it away, but he stirred suddenly, catching her wrist midair.
His fingers wrapped around her wrist, firm but not harsh. His eyes blinked open, confused at first—then guarded.
"I was only—" she began, but he released her hand before she could finish.
"I know," he said, voice low and rough with sleep.
They looked at each other for a long moment. The space between them felt warmer this morning, somehow less like a battlefield.
Elara sat up, drawing the sheets with her. "You really did not stay with her."
"No," he said simply.
"Why?"
Kaelos sat up too, scrubbing a hand over his face. "Because I didn't want to," he muttered. "Because you asked me not to."
"You always do the opposite of what I ask. You never even do what I ask." She said bowing her head.
"Maybe I'm trying something different."
Elara blinked. That wasn't an apology, not really. But it also wasn't nothing.
"Thank you." She said.
"May I ask for?" He turned to look at her.
"For staying in here."
Before he could respond, a knock sounded at the door. Firm and urgent.
"Who is it?" Kaelos yelled.
"Excuse me, your grace." Hallel's voice came through the door.
"The queen requests your presence, both of you. She said. "She's waiting in the Solar Room."
Hallel's words hung in the air like a bell still ringing.
Kaelos and Elara exchanged a look—equal parts confusion, hesitation, and something else they couldn't name. Neither moved at first.
Then, slowly, Elara sat up, brushing her hair back from her face. "I suppose we shouldn't keep her waiting."
Kaelos swung his legs over the bed, groaning softly. "May the gods help us."
They stood in silence, awkwardness settling over the room like morning fog.
"I need the bath first," Elara said quietly, already stepping toward the adjoining chamber.
"Go on," Kaelos muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'll wait."
Steam drifted faintly from the stone-walled bathing room by the time she entered. Elara bathed quickly but thoroughly, scrubbing the remnants of sleep—and memory—from her skin. By the time she stepped out wrapped in a drying cloth, Kaelos was already at the washbasin, splashing cold water over his face.
He glanced at her, briefly, before she disappeared into her dressing room.
In the privacy of the room, Elara paused, fingertips grazing a dark blue gown. She didn't know why she chose it. Perhaps because it made her look strong. Perhaps because it made her feel hidden.
A quiet knock sounded at the edge of the partition.
"I'm decent," she called.
Kaelos stepped in, already halfway dressed, adjusting the fastenings of his tunic. He didn't look directly at her as he grabbed his belt from a nearby chair. Elara turned away to step out of her cloth. She was halfway into her gown when she realized he was still in the room.
"Do you mind?" she asked, not looking back.
He gave a short grunt. "Right. Of course."
He turned on his heel just as she struggled with the back ties. Her fingers fumbled once, twice, and then—
"Here," came his voice again, softer this time.
She froze as his fingers replaced hers, cool and sure as he pulled the ties tight.
"Thank you," she said, voice barely above a whisper.
"Let's get this over with," he replied.
They didn't speak again as they left the chambers, but the space between them was undeniably changed—no longer cold, but crackling.
_______
Queen Alaina sat poised at a sunlit table in the Solar Room, her expression blank as Elara and Kaelos are escorted in by a guard.
She set her cup down slowly, deliberately, and lifted her eyes to them.
"Mother." Kaelos said as soon as he stepped in fully. "You summoned us."
"If I didn't know what I heard, I'd say you two are adjusting rather well." Queen Alaina said.
Kaelos remained guarded but composed.
"Yet, we are."
"Are you?" the Queen said, one brow rising. "Because word travels fast in these halls, and it seems yesterday's hallway dispute traveled faster still."
Elara stiffened but remained silent.
"One of the stewards heard the raised voices and caught wind of a certain name. Athena, wasn't it? Along with accusations, tension, and an obvious lack of restraint."
She looked directly at Kaelos. "Your discretion, or lack thereof, puts both your reputations in question."
Kaelos frowns, then muttered.
"It was a private matter."
"You had it in the East Wing corridor." The Queen's voice was sharp but measured.
"Nothing in this court is private, especially not for a royal newly wed. You are being watched—not only by courtiers, but by the people. They want stability. If you two cannot provide it, they will lose faith in this alliance."
She leaned forward slightly.
"This kingdom has survived war, betrayal, and famine. But what it cannot afford now is scandal."
The Queen sets her teacup down again, this time harder than before.
She turned to Kaelos.
"And as for Athena—do not think me blind. I have known about her far longer than you assumed. I tolerated the girl because I thought, foolishly, that when you were wed, you would have the sense to leave her behind. Or at the very least, keep her out of sight while your wife is still being introduced to the court."
Her voice sharpens, low and pointed:
"But no, Kaelos. You went to her. You were seen. And now her name is passed like coin among servants and lords alike."
Kaelos's jaw tightens, but he said nothing. The Queen shifts her gaze to Elara now, cool and assessing.
"And you, Princess—do not look so innocent. You may be wronged, yes, but that does not exempt you from your role. You've made a spectacle of yourself already. The corridor fight may have been provoked, but you did not choose silence. You chose fire."
Elara lifted qher chin, lips pressed tight.
"I will not be humiliated in my own marriage."
Queen Alaina's eyes narrowed.
"And while I understand that Elara. You are here for unity. For peace. That is your duty—not pride. Do not confuse the two."
Silence stretched as her gaze flicked between them both. The Queen's final words were cool as frost.
"This kingdom will not survive your tempers. Either learn to play the part or risk undoing everything your crowns are meant to protect."
"Mother," Kaelos finally said. "While I understand your concerns. Elara and I are fully capable of handling ourselves," Kaelos finished, his voice composed but tight.
Queen Alaina arched a brow. "Is that so? Because from where I stand, it looks as though the two of you are still playing at marriage like children in a costume parade."
Elara stiffened beside him, but didn't speak.
Alaina's gaze shifted to her, sharp as a blade. "And you, Elara. You may wear the crown now, but don't mistake that for loyalty. The court watches. The people whisper. Do not give them more to feast on."
There was a long, tense silence. After a moment, The Queen turned back to Elara. "You may go."
Elara hesitated, her eyes flicking to Kaelos, but Alaina didn't repeat herself. With a stiff nod, Elara turned and left the chamber in silence, her heels clicking on the floor, her dress moving with the wind and then, the door clicked shut behind her.
Kaelos remained standing, tension thrumming in his shoulders. "Why did you send her out?"
Alaina's hand came without warning—a sharp slap across his cheek.
Kaelos staggered back half a step, eyes wide.
"That is for humiliating me," she hissed, her voice low and trembling with fury. "For humiliating your father. For humiliating your wife. For humiliating this court. People saw you yesterday—storming down the corridor like a spoiled child chasing after some common—"
"Don't," Kaelos snapped. "Don't you dare finish that sentence."
Alaina's eyes flared. "What do you want me to call her, then? That girl you've paraded around like a badge of rebellion for years? That distraction you couldn't let go of even after your wedding night?"
"You know I love her, Mother!" Kaelos shot back. "You've always known. And instead, you caged me in this gilded prison and expected me to smile through it. I didn't choose this marriage."
"No," Alaina said coldly. "But you chose to shame your wife. You chose to make a spectacle of yourself. You think that because you feel something, you are entitled to everything? That love excuses weakness? It does not."
"You call it weakness," Kaelos said, bitterly, "I call it honesty. I never lied about who I loved. You all just pretended not to hear it."
"And what good has that love done?" the Queen shot back. "Has it built a kingdom? Has it given you strength? Has it united a divided nation? No—it's left you torn between two women and incapable of honoring either."
He glared at her, chest heaving, but had no answer.
"Get out of my sight, Kaelos," Alaina said, voice low and trembling. "Before I forget you are my son and speak to you as I would any other man who disgraces his crown."
Kaelos took a step back, his eyes not leaving his mother's. "Very well." He said. Walking away without looking back.
Alaina jumped as soon as the door slammed behind him.
"That child." She muttered to herself. She held her chest as though she couldn't breathe. She thought of Elara's face as she spoke.
She had told Elara to see her like a mother and now, she had spoken words she couldn't take back.
She had to make it right — she thought to herself. It was the noble thing to do.
______
The palace gardens were still, touched by the golden hush of the evening. A breeze stirred the lavender bushes, carrying the scent of rosemary and sun-warmed stone.
Elara stood near the low marble wall at the edge of the terrace, her hands folded before her, her gaze fixed on the horizon.
She had been there a while—long enough for the hem of her gown to soak up dew from the grass, long enough for the weight of the court to ease from her shoulders just slightly.
Footsteps approached, soft and familiar.
"I thought I'd find you here," Alaina said gently.
Elara turned her head but didn't smile. "I needed air."
Alaina didn't press. She stepped beside her and leaned slightly against the stone rail, letting the silence settle between them.
After a beat, she spoke again—quieter now.
"Elara… I owe you an apology. I know I can be sharp when I speak. Today especially. I didn't mean to be cruel."
Elara shook her head slowly. "It's fine, Your Majesty. I understand. You're doing your duty. You're protecting the crown. And your son."
Alaina looked at her with something unreadable—regret, maybe. Or recognition.
"Yes," she said, almost to herself. "But sometimes, in protecting those things, we forget the weight they place on others."
Elara didn't answer. She only looked out again, to where the trees kissed the far-off hills.
"I keep thinking," she said, voice softer now, "that if I stand here long enough, I might see Alderidge." She paused. "But I never can. It's too far."
Alaina glanced at her. "What would you see, if you could?"
Elara let out a breath. "The lake, mostly. And the fireflies. In summer, they'd fill the air like falling stars. My mother used to say they followed me because I was brighter."
A small smile touched her lips, and faded just as quickly.
"I didn't think the crown would feel like this," she confessed. "So heavy. So… lonely."
Alaina's hand came to rest on hers—light, grounding.
"I've watched you since you were a girl, Elara. I knew even then you'd wear that crown. But I also knew it would try to swallow you whole." She paused. "Let it sit heavy for a while. But don't let it shape your heart."
Elara looked at her, something tentative and uncertain behind her eyes.
"And if it already has?"
"Then shape it back. Or let someone help you."
Elara gave her a look then—not quite doubt, not quite hope. Just rawness.
Alaina understood it at once. Her voice softened even more.
"I know things with Kaelos are… difficult. And I'm not blind to what you're walking into. But you must fight, Elara. Not for the court. Not even for me. For yourself."
She touched Elara's hand again. "You need to show him that you are worth everything he thinks you are not. You are his wife. One day, you will be queen. And you are not someone to be cast aside. Work with him. Be with him. Stand by him, through thick and thin. You need to be by Kaelos' side. Always."
Elara took in a deep breath. A breeze moved between them again. Somewhere, a lark trilled from the hedgerow.
Elara didn't speak again. But she leaned just slightly toward Alaina, and the older woman stayed beside her, silent and still—two shadows beneath the summering sky.
Lost in the mystery of one man - Kaelos Pendrell.