The royal chambers felt impossibly large in the flickering candlelight. Rayan stood near the window, still wearing his ceremonial shirt though he'd removed the formal jacket hours ago. The silence between them was awkward—not hostile, but filled with the uncertainty of two people who were essentially strangers now bound together for life.
Elena sat on the edge of the bed, still in her wedding gown, fidgeting with the silk trim. They'd exchanged perhaps a dozen words during the entire engagement period, always under the watchful eyes of elders or attendants.
"The celebration was lovely," Elena said finally, her voice carefully polite.
"Yeah," Rayan agreed, then felt foolish for such a short response. "The musicians were... skilled."
Another stretch of silence. Elena smoothed her skirts unnecessarily.
"I suppose we should talk," she said. "About... our future perhaps."
Rayan turned from the window. "That sounds goodl."
"mother said even marriages can bring..." she paused, searching for the right words, "bring happiness. Given time."
"Do you believe it?" He asked nervously.
Elena said seriously. "I hope so." Then looking away. "For both our sakes."
Rayan asked, "What are you hopes for the future? "
"Stability for our people, first and foremost." Her answer came quickly, as if rehearsed. Then she seemed to relax slightly. "What about you?"
"I want nothing but revenge. I'll kill those human scums and make sure no one will dare to think about attacking us. " Rayan spoke with eyes filled with hatred. He had never got over his families tragic end.
Somehow, the determination in his voice and resentment in his eyes captivated the heart of princess. Deep inside her heart she also wanted revenge more than everything but calm and cautious nature of elves forbid her from thinking it.
She said, "You shouldn't have these destructive thoughts in the head of yours. We have lost most our men. What if we go extinct in next war."
Rayan couldn't find anything to say. All he could think about was the tragic moment when his big brother gave away his life to protect him.
"Let's not talk about all those thing." Seeing him silent Elena spoke. "How about you speak of your childhood."
He leaned back in the bed staring at the night sky while trying to remember his childhood memories . "When I was younger, I used to build elaborate forts in the forest. Mira would find me hours later, covered in mud and leaves, completely lost in whatever imaginary adventure I'd created."
Elena's lips curved in what might have been a smile. "Forts?"
"Castles, actually. With stick armies and rock formations for defense." He paused for a moment. "My older brother used to help me. He'd pretend to be the enemy general, lead attacks on my walls..." He didn't tell how he died in front of him. Sometimes it's better not to share bitterness.
"That sounds wonderful," Elena said, and for the first time, her voice carried genuine warmth. "I mostly played alone. Being a princess doesn't leave much room for getting dirty."
"What did you do instead?"
"Read. Studied languages, history, diplomacy." She shrugged. "Preparing to rule, even as a child. Though I did sneak out to the gardens sometimes, just to feel normal."
They fell into more comfortable quiet, each lost in memories of childhoods that had ended far too soon.
"Do you miss him?" Elena asked softly. "Your brother?"
"Every day." Rayan's voice was steady, but she caught the pain underneath. "He would have made a better prince than me for sure. He was knightly, confident, natural with people, born to lead. Everything that I'm not."
"But he's not here, and you are." Elena's tone was soft. "That has to mean something."
"It means I have large shoes to fill." He tried to smile.
"It means you survived for a reason." She shifted slightly on the bed. "We both did. Our people need us, not the ones we lost."
Rayan looked at her with new interest. "You've thought about this a lot."
"Haven't you?" Elena met his gaze directly. "The responsibility we carry? The children we'll have won't grow up in hiding. They won't know the fear we lived with, won't have to wonder if tomorrow will bring another attack."
"No," Rayan agreed, feeling something stir in his chest—not romance exactly, but a shared sense of purpose. "They'll have choices we never did."
"Freedom to make mistakes without the fate of our people hanging in the balance." Elena's voice grew stronger, more animated. "To marry for love if they want, or to choose their own paths entirely."
"To have a wonderful childhood they can brag about."
"Exactly." Elena leaned forward slightly, caught up in the vision. "We'll make sure of that. Whatever else happens between us, we'll make sure they have real childhoods."
For the first time since entering the chamber, Rayan felt the tension in his shoulders ease. This wasn't about romance or passion—not yet, maybe not ever—but it was about something equally important. Shared purpose. Common ground.
"It won't be easy," he looked at the silent elven village. "Rebuilding everything."
"No, but it's possible now in a way it wasn't before." Elena's eyes held a determination that reminded him why she'd been chosen to rule. "We have time, resources, a safe place to grow. The hardest part is behind us."
"The survival part."
"Exactly. Now comes the living part."
Rayan found himself studying her face in the candlelight—not with romantic interest, but with genuine curiosity about this woman who would share his life. She was younger than he'd expected in some ways, older in others. Serious, but with hints of the mischievous girl who'd once snuck out to gardens.
"I won't pretend to love you," Elena said suddenly, then blushed at her own bluntness. "I mean, not yet. That seems dishonest."
"I appreciate honesty," Rayan replied. "I won't pretend either. But I think I have already started liking you."
She blushed whispering, "I think it too."
He moved closing the distance slightly. "We don't have to figure everything out tonight."
Out of nowhere she came closer and planted a kiss on his lips.
She gave a seductive whisper, "We don't have to wait until loving each other. Do we?"