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Across the hall, seated beside the other royal husbands, Lord Asen—Elara's father—watched the celebration unfold with a quiet, bittersweet smile.
He was still striking, even with strands of silver in his dark hair. His icy-blue eyes*remained sharp, and his flawless features had not aged much. Many still whispered he was the most beautiful man in Caelora—even more beautiful than the queen's favorite concubines, which fueled endless jealousy.
Unlike others who had been demoted or replaced, Queen Liora had never dared move Silas from his position. Not because he'd given her a powerful daughter—Elara was considered weak for most of her life—but because she loved him desperately even after all these years.
Asen had tried once to escape with Elara when she was just a baby. But the Queen found them. He never tried again.
Now, watching Elara be assigned to the cold East, he felt the old regret crawl back into his chest.
"If only I had gotten us away… she would've had a normal life and a peaceful one."
He let out a soft sigh, masking it with a sip of spiced wine.Then he saw her coming toward him—his daughter. Still in her plain brown dress, but standing tall.
"Father," Elara said gently, sitting beside him.
He smiled at her, brushing a strand of her blue hair back. "You did well. You didn't faint. That's a win in this family."
Elara chuckled softly. "Did you see their faces? They looked like I brought a stray dog in and named it Prince."
Asen laughed, but his eyes held a hint of sadness. "I'm proud of you, Elara… but I wish you didn't have to go."
"Me too," she admitted. "But maybe this is what the story wants." "The STORY want?" ,Lord Asen said look surprised. Elara shocked when the word story left her mouth stammered :"eh,I meant the queen, what the queen want".
He took her hand in his. "The Queen… she won't allow me to go with you. She's already made the order. You'll be leaving soon. Likely tomorrow."
Elara's face fell.
Asen squeezed her hand. "You're stronger than you think. You carry a power no one fully understands yet. Even your mother…"
He paused.
"…Never mind. Just remember—trust yourself. And don't let dragons eat you."
Elara or Mina smiled, trying not to cry as she is going to miss his company. "I'll try."
They sat together for a quiet moment while the music played, the lights danced, and fate quietly rearranged their lives.The music swirled gently in the background, but Load Asen wasn't listening.
He watched Prince Kael from across the room—standing calmly beside Elara, laughing at something she said, as if he'd known her for years. But Asen had known enough royals in his lifetime to smell a hidden agenda under polished manners and perfect smiles.
As Kael stepped away for a drink, Asen intercepted him with graceful ease.
"Prince Kael," he said coolly, "son of King Charles of Embers. I know you and your father well. You two don't do anything unless there's something to gain."
Kael, unfazed, bowed respectfully. "You caught me well, Your Highness. You are indeed sharp as they said. And you're right—my father and I rarely act without reason."
Asen raised a brow. "So what is it this time?"
Kael straightened, meeting his eyes with calm honesty.
"Well During the pass Winter,Our kingdom is… strained. Power is thinning, our supplies are dwindling. The Queen's favor could shift the balance in our survival and marrying one of the queen will make it possible. But the others already had their men and Elara a graceful and lonely woman—your daughter—puts us in the Queen's good graces so I choose her."
Asen nodded slowly. "Indeed. I was never mistaken, your father have not changed a bit
"
He stepped closer, voice quieter but sharper. "I don't care about your tactics, Kael. You can marry her for politics, power, or snowflakes for all I care. But know this—if you use her, if you harm her, or let her come to harm… I will find you. And whatever's left of your kingdom won't be enough to shield you from me."
Kael's expression didn't shift. In fact, it softened.
"I understand. I would expect nothing less from her father."
Then, with surprising sincerity, he added:
"But I didn't expect her. I saw a girl who wasn't drowning in power or vanity. Just strength, hidden in quiet. I want to protect that… even if I lose everything else and also gain something from it too."
Asen studied him for a moment, then gave a single nod.
"Then protect her. Even if it costs your life."
Kael placed a hand over his heart. "Gladly."
From across the room, Elara watched the two men—her father and her maybe-future-husband—talking seriously. She squinted.
"Okay, either they're plotting a war… or a dramatic family dinner or wait even my marriage.As Elara stood watching her father and Kael, a sharp sound—a clatter of metal—cut through the music behind her.
She turned instinctively.
A platter of roasted meat lay scattered on the polished marble floor. One of the male waiters had slipped, the food now ruined. A noblewoman nearby scowled.
"You useless thing! Is this what the Queen keeps as servants now?"
The young man bowed deeply, flustered but quiet. "My deepest apologies, my lady."
He quickly gathered the mess, his fingers red from heat and embarrassment, and scurried out of the hall.
Elara frowned. Something about him caught her attention—not just the fall or the insult. Something in his expression. A kind of… *familiar ache or a beautiful figure*.
Without a word, she stepped away from the ball, trailing behind him quietly. No one seemed to notice. She followed him down a side corridor and into a stairwell leading toward the servant quarters.
That's when she heard voices and laughter.
"Why don't you just quit, huh? If the queen or any of the princesses comes to punish us, you will get yourself in trouble with us."
"Always ruining things. You want us to get punished too?. Maybe use your cute face and body to make some money for your self,huh?"
Next ...…..