THUD!
A loud yelp followed the crash.
"WHAT IN THE NAME OF THE SEVEN HELLS?!" a familiar voice screeched.
Kael blinked down to find Elysia, Seraphine's daughter and his childhood best friend, sprawled on the floor, rubbing her forehead like she had just headbutted a wall.
For a second, he just stared, caught off guard. Elysia was as chaotic as ever. The sight of her lying dramatically in the middle of the corridor, arms flailing as she groaned in pain, was almost comforting almost.
"Kael?" she groaned, squinting up at him. "Are you built from stone? What are you eating these days, bricks?"
Kael sighed, running a tired hand through his hair. His body ached, his mind even more. "Elysia."
"Oh no," she narrowed her eyes, sitting upright. Her tone shifted from dramatic to deeply suspicious in less than a heartbeat.
"That's your 'I'm deeply troubled but pretending I'm fine' face." She gasped, hand flying to her mouth.
"Was the wedding cake dry? Did your new wife kick you out already? Blink twice if I need to stage a rescue."
"It's nothing," Kael muttered.
"LIES."
Elysia jumped to her feet, pointing an accusing finger at him. "That's what people say right before they drop dead from stress. Tell me now or I'll make up my own tragic version."
She tapped her chin, dramatically thoughtful.
"Let's see... You discovered a long-lost twin? You married the wrong bride? Wait, your father's actually a lizard in disguise?"
Kael's jaw tensed. His voice came low and strained.
"My father drugged me."
Elysia froze. Silence fell between them.
"THAT EVIL, OVERGROWN GOAT HE DID WHAT?!"
The volume of her outrage echoed down the hallway. A passing guard blinked and wisely kept walking.
Kael let out a shaky breath, but Elysia grabbed his shoulders before he could even say another word.
"Okay. That's it. I'm committing a crime. Just give me five minutes and an alibi."
Despite everything, Kael let out a breathy laugh. It faded quickly, as if even joy wasn't allowed to stay long in his chest.
Elysia's expression softened as she let him go. Her voice dropped to something softer, steadier. "Hey..."
She looked into his eyes. The kind of look only a friend who's known you since your earliest memories can give.
"What really happened?"
Kael swallowed, his control slipping. The dam cracked. His vision blurred. His breathing hitched.
Elysia recognized the look instantly. Without hesitation, she grabbed his hand. And POOF.
The grand hallway vanished.
Kael blinked and found himself in Elysia's room: a chaotic mess of books, weapons, and trinkets she'd probably stolen just for fun. A sword leaned against a stack of cookbooks. A half-eaten pastry sat dangerously close to an open ink bottle.
"Crisis room activated," she said, dragging him to the bed with zero grace. "Now talk. Or I swear I'll throw something at you."
Kael sat stiffly. His body trembled, but he kept his posture rigid. For a moment, he stayed silent.
Then he let go.
The walls he had been holding up for so long crumbled.
Elysia didn't joke this time. She sat beside him and pulled him into a hug. No teasing, no sarcasm just warmth.
"It's okay, you big idiot," she whispered. "You don't always have to be the strong one."
She didn't rush him, just patted his back gently, like she had all the time in the world.
Eventually, Kael pulled back and spoke, voice shaking. "I woke up... and she was next to me."
Elysia blinked. "Who? A ghost?"
Kael gave her a look. "Lucianna."
Elysia slapped both hands over her mouth. "Scandalous!"
"Elysia."
"Okay, okay, continue."
He rubbed his face. "I don't remember anything. Nothing. I know I didn't, I wouldn't but she was just there. Like my worst nightmare come to life."
Elysia tilted her head, genuinely trying to piece it together. "You mean waking up married, or waking up married to her?"
"Both."
She nodded seriously. "Understandable. If I ever woke up married to someone I didn't love, I would simply perish. Poof! Gone."
Kael's expression darkened again. "My father did this. He drugged me. He forced my hand. And now... Ivy..." His voice cracked. "I betrayed her."
Elysia's humor faded. She reached for his hand. "It's not your fault."
Kael shook his head, pulling away. "She must be feeling so alone. And I can't even face her."
His fingers curled into fists.
"The worst part? There's nothing I can do. I married someone else. I betrayed her. I..."
Elysia clapped her hands sharply. "Alright, enough. Time for Elysia's Grand Wisdom."
She leaned back like a sage, fingers steepled, eyes half-lidded.
"Kidnap Ivy. Run away. Start a farm. Simple."
Kael groaned. "Elysia."
She sighed. "Fine. No kidnapping. You're no fun." Then, more gently: "But listen to me, Kael. None of this is your fault."
He looked doubtful. "But…"
"No buts. Your father's a manipulative, power-hungry old demon. You didn't choose this. You didn't betray Ivy. You're just caught in the middle of a royal mess."
Kael exhaled shakily. "But it doesn't change what's been done."
Elysia tilted her head. "So? Does that mean you're just gonna sit there and let him win?"
Kael froze.
Elysia smirked. "Oh, I know that look. That's your 'I'm about to do something reckless' face."
She patted his shoulder. "Good. Hold onto it. If anyone can fix this, it's you."
Kael swallowed hard. And for the first time since the wedding, the crushing weight on his chest eased just a little.
Elysia clapped. "Now, emotional crisis over! Let's eat. I've stolen uh, acquired pastries from the royal kitchen. You look like you need ten."
Kael let out a small, tired smile. "You're absolutely ridiculous."
She grinned. "And yet, here you are, in my room, eating my stolen pastries. Who's the real problem here?"
.
.
.
Ivy woke feeling drained. She couldn't sleep well and her chest felt heavy.
The strange unease from last night hadn't left. It clung to her skin like damp mist, whispering worry into her bones.
She needed a distraction, so she decided to go to the market.
The market was alive with movement, voices, colors, the scent of bread and spices. Horses clopped by lazily, and children weaved through stalls giggling with sticky fingers.
Ivy walked slowly through the stalls, trying to focus on something,anything.
At the fruit stand, the old vendor smiled warmly. "Morning, Ivy. You look tired, dear. Everything alright?"
She forced a smile. "Didn't sleep well."
"A warm drink helps. Here, take an extra apple."
"Thank you," she said softly, slipping it into her basket.
Next came herbs and spices. She made small talk, kept her voice light, her movements steady.
But when she returned home and laid the ingredients on the table, she realized she had no appetite.
With a sigh, she stepped outside. The sun had set, the air cooler now. Shadows stretched long across the ground.
Drawn to the lake, she followed the quiet path through the trees. Her footsteps barely made a sound.
The moonlight shimmered on the water. She sat at the edge, hugging her knees.
"I shouldn't feel this way," she whispered. "I don't even know what's wrong."
But she did.
Kael.
She tried not to think of him but something was off. Like something inside her was… missing.
She picked up a pebble and threw it, watching the ripples spread.
"I wish you were here," she breathed.
The night offered no reply.
But then… a shiver ran down her spine.
Ivy tensed. The hairs on her arms stood on end, and her heart skipped a beat. A feeling, familiar yet distant, wrapped around her like a shadow. It wasn't fear, but something else, something deeper.
She wasn't alone.
She turned her head slowly, scanning the trees behind her. The night was quiet, the only sound coming from the gentle lapping of the lake. But she felt it. A presence.
Her breath quickened. "Kael?" she whispered, barely realizing she had said his name aloud.
She stood up, looking around, trying to find him. Her heart pounded. It felt like him, it had to be him. The way the air felt heavier, the way her body reacted… she knew.
But there was no one there.
She took a step forward. "I know you're here," she said softly, searching the darkness. "I can feel you."
Kael watched her, hidden in the shadows. He had made himself invisible. A powerful ability, one that required immense control. He had come here without thinking, drawn to her, unable to stay away.
She looked beautiful under the moonlight, her golden hair slightly tousled by the wind. Her eyes, full of longing, searched for him. And it hurt… it hurt to be so close yet unable to touch her, to tell her the truth.
Ivy's hands clenched into fists. "Why do I feel like this?" she murmured, voice breaking. "Why does it feel like you're near but I can't see you?"
Kael closed his eyes. He wanted to reach out, to hold her, to tell her everything. But he couldn't. He shouldn't have come at all.
Ivy swallowed hard, her heart aching. "If you're here," she whispered, "please… don't leave me alone."
Kael took a step back, forcing himself to retreat. If he stayed any longer, he wouldn't be able to control himself.
Ivy felt the shift. The air suddenly felt lighter, and the strange presence faded. She exhaled shakily, a tear slipping down her cheek.
"Maybe I'm going crazy," she muttered, wiping her face. But deep down, she knew.
He had been here.
And now, he was gone.