Castle Courtyard – Nightfall
Torches flickered along the stone walls of Velaris Castle, casting long shadows across the courtyard. The air was heavy with unease — not from war, but from whispers. Servants moved hurriedly, their voices hushed, yet carrying the sharpness of rumors.
"Did you hear? Lady Lyra may be promised to another."
"They say Kaelrin refuses to yield to duty."
"Perhaps the Elowens have grown tired of waiting…"
Each word reached Kaelrin's ears like venom. His knuckles whitened as he gripped the hilt of his sword, the need to silence their gossip warring with his composure.
She must have heard this too.
He moved quickly, searching for her, his boots echoing against the marble halls.
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Lyra's Chambers
Lyra sat near her window, the moonlight painting her face in silver. In her hands, she held the faded ribbon — the one Kaelrin had tied around daisies long ago. Her chest ached as she remembered the courtiers' words.
"Another match…" she whispered bitterly. "Of course. Why should his promises mean anything? He is a Duke's son. I am just—"
A knock at her door startled her. Before she could answer, the door opened and Kaelrin stepped inside, his eyes burning with urgency.
"Lyra."
She stiffened, quickly hiding the ribbon. "You shouldn't be here."
"I don't care." He shut the door behind him. "I need to explain—"
"Explain what?" she snapped, her voice sharper than she intended. "That my family is just a pawn in your father's games? That your loyalty to me is so fragile it breaks at the first whisper of politics?"
Kaelrin flinched. "Is that what you believe of me?"
Lyra turned away, her shoulders trembling. "What else am I supposed to believe, Kaelrin? Every time I start to trust you, something… something reminds me that you belong to duty, not to me."
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The Clash
Kaelrin moved closer, his voice low but fierce. "Listen to me, Lyra. I don't care about alliances. I don't care about suitors. Do you think I would spend every stolen moment with you if you were just… a pawn?"
Her eyes filled with tears as she met his gaze. "Then why does it always feel like fate itself is against us?"
For a moment, silence hung between them, charged and fragile.
Then Kaelrin reached into his tunic and pulled something out — a small, weathered wooden carving of a bird. Lyra's breath caught.
"You… still have it?" she whispered.
"I carved it for you the day we made that promise," he said softly. "You said it would fly away if I ever forgot you. It's been with me ever since."
Her walls cracked, her anger mingling with longing. But before either could bridge the distance, a servant burst in without knocking.
"My lord—Lady—pardon me," the boy stammered. "Urgent news! The Duke requests Lady Lyra's presence. Another suitor has arrived at court."
The fragile moment shattered like glass.
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The Observer in Shadows
From the high balcony, hidden in darkness, the cloaked figure watched the scene unfold. His smile widened, satisfaction dripping from every word.
"Yes… let the cracks deepen. Let them bleed with doubt. Only when hearts break do the true games begin."
His laughter was soundless, but the chill it carried seeped into the castle walls.
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Cliffhanger End – Chapter 6
Lyra is summoned before the Duke, where the new suitor's shadow looms. Kaelrin burns with fury but is chained by duty. Lyra's trust wavers again, even as her heart refuses to let go of the boy with the wooden bird.