Chapter 7: A Test of Trust
"She's a thief! She took the precious family artifact from King Astellia's private chambers!" Lady Isabelle's accusing voice thundered through the magnificent council hall. All eyes in the room, cold and judgmental, fell upon Shapira. Shapira felt her heart hammer against her ribs, a frantic rhythm she could barely quell. She gripped the edge of her servant's tunic, the coarse fabric growing damp in her sweaty hands.
"I ... I didn't do it," Shapira whispered, her voice barely audible over the nobles' disapproving murmurs. "I don't even know what Lady Isabelle is talking about. I've never entered those private chambers. Why would I do such a thing?"
An old nobleman in a deep blue velvet robe, standing to William's left, snorted. "She's lying, Your Highness. This woman, with her mysterious origins, must have ill intentions. Look at her eyes! They're trembling with fear!"
"How dare you accuse this woman of lying!" William boomed, stepping forward. His voice cut through the tension, bringing an instant silence to the vast hall. "I know what I see, and I know Shapira's heart. She would never commit such a vile act. I swear on my own honor that she is innocent."
Isabelle laughed cynically, her voice as sharp as shattering glass in the silence. "Prince William, you are truly naive! You're letting your emotions cloud your judgment of this woman. Has she blinded you so completely? You're defending a lowly servant who just arrived at this palace? An artifact is missing, and she is the only newcomer here. What does she have to say for herself?"
"I am not blind!" William retorted, his tone firm. "I see the truth. I see a kindness in Shapira that you cannot, Isabelle. She didn't steal anything. She's incapable of such a despicable act. She is always helping others. She spends her time helping the sick servants in this palace, and she always performs her duties with the utmost responsibility. I've even seen her reading ancient books about Astellia's history in our library. Would a thief do such a thing?"
Shapira stared at William, stunned by his powerful and sincere defense. Her heart warmed, but the fear of this false accusation still gripped her. She felt like crying. "I ... I really didn't do it," Shapira whispered again, this time to William, her voice filled with desperation. "I would never even touch something so valuable. I'm just a servant. I would never want to break my trust with you, or with the king."
"I know, Shapira," William replied, looking at her with absolute conviction. He turned back to face Isabelle. "That artifact will be found, Isabelle. And when it is, you will regret your words."
Isabelle scoffed, but no one dared to continue the argument after William had spoken. The tension still hung in the air, a promise of an unfulfilled threat. William escorted Shapira out of the hall, away from the judgmental stares of the nobility.
***
Later, on a palace balcony beneath a twilight sky beginning to be dotted with stars, Shapira and William stood close together. The night breeze brushed against their faces, bringing a cool relief after the earlier chaos.
"Thank you," Shapira said, her voice hoarse. "I don't know what I would have done without you back there. I ... I was so scared. They all hate me. I know it. They all just see me as a strange outsider."
William sighed, his voice weary. "I know the feeling, Shapira. I've been in that position myself. I understand what you're feeling right now. No one wants to be treated like that here." He gazed into the darkness, toward the forest beyond the palace. "I ... I'm afraid of losing you, Shapira. I'm truly terrified. This fear runs so deep. It's like ... like when I lost Anya. I can't bear that again. I can't lose you like I lost her."
Shapira looked at him, a wave of sadness and understanding washing over her. She knew how deep William's wounds from the past were. She reached out and gently touched his arm. "I am here, William. I'm not going anywhere. I promise you. I will stay by your side. I will always be myself, not Anya. I am Shapira."
"I know, I know that," William whispered, his voice now thick with emotion. He took a deep breath. "I just ... that shadow still haunts me. It's a terrifying presence in my heart. It always fills me with fear." He turned to look at Shapira, his eyes filled with a vulnerability she had never seen before. "I just want you to be safe, Shapira. I don't care what they say. I just want you here with me."
"I'll be all right," Shapira assured him, though she wasn't entirely sure herself. "I'll learn how to protect myself. I will become stronger for you, and for myself. I promise."
***
That night, Shapira awoke with a scream, a cry caught in her throat. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she sat bolt upright in her bed, the cold sweat clinging to her skin. She squeezed her eyes shut, the image still seared into her mind. Isolde. Her hate-filled face, her drawn sword, and her threats echoing in the dream. A truly terrifying threat.
"No! Get that sword away from him! Don't go near him!" Shapira whispered, trembling. She hugged her knees to her chest, trying to suppress the fear creeping through her mind. This dream ... it was so terrifying. It always haunted her.
Suddenly, her chamber door flew open, and William appeared in the doorway, his face etched with worry. He strode quickly into the room. "Shapira? What happened? I heard you scream. What scared you? Are you all right?"
Shapira looked up, her eyes glistening with tears. "A dream ... it was Isolde. She came to me in my dream. She threatened me, William. She said she would take you from me. She said I don't deserve to be here. She said I'm a curse that has come to destroy you. Is ... is that true? I feel so confused."
William sat on the edge of the bed, pulling her into his arms. He rubbed her back gently. "Shh, Shapira. It was only a dream. It's not real. Isolde will not take me from you. I won't let that happen. I will never let that happen."
"But she was so real in my dream," Shapira sobbed, burying her face in William's chest. "Her face was so close. Her sword was so cold. I was so scared. I'm afraid she'll succeed. I'm afraid she'll come and take you from me like she did Anya. I couldn't bear that."
"Listen to me," William said, his voice firm but gentle. He pulled her back slightly, meeting her eyes. "Isolde will never touch you again. I won't allow it. I swear on my life, Shapira. I will protect you. You are my world now. You don't have to be afraid, I will always be here to protect you."
***
Now, in the moonlight filtering through the window, a comfortable silence enveloped them. Shapira was still in William's embrace, his steady heartbeat calming her own.
"I... I can't imagine my life without you," William confessed, his voice barely a whisper. "After Anya ... my life felt empty. Empty and full of darkness. There was no hope left in my heart. I couldn't feel anything anymore. You are the only light that could illuminate that darkness. I don't want to go back to that darkness. You are my light."
Shapira looked up, feeling tears stream down her cheeks. "I can't imagine my world without you, either. You are my world now. You are my place. You are everything to me. You are my home."
William smiled faintly, a smile filled with both sadness and relief. He leaned down, his eyes gazing at Shapira with a burning intensity. "I love you, Shapira. I know I do. I'm sure of it. I've been sure for a long time. I don't know how, but I know I can't let you go."
He drew her closer, and Shapira felt his breath on her lips. A gentle kiss, full of promise and hope, united them. It wasn't a passionate kiss like the others, it was a pledge, a vow spoken without words. It was deeply calming.
"I love you too, William," Shapira whispered after they pulled apart slightly, her voice trembling. "I love you so much. I don't know how I could ever live without you."
William held her tight. "We don't have to think about that. We will always be together. I'll make sure of it."
***
But their peace was short-lived. A small explosion shook the palace, and the sound of screams echoed from a distance. Varkhiel's attack.
"What was that? Where did that sound come from? What's going on?" Shapira asked, panicking.
William quickly rose from the bed, grabbing the sword he always kept beside it. "It seems to be an attack. A small one, but an attack nonetheless. They want to test me. I have to go. They want to know if I'm still strong." He looked at Shapira, his eyes full of concern. "Stay here, Shapira. Don't go outside. I will protect you. You're safe here. You don't need to worry."
"No! I'm coming with you! I can help! I can use my protection magic! I've been practicing it. I want to be by your side!" Shapira insisted, trying to get up.
"No, you will not!" William said sternly, but a blinding flash of dark magic suddenly shot through the chamber window, heading straight for Shapira.
"Look out!" Shapira screamed.
William quickly leaped, shoving Shapira aside, and was struck by a shard of the magic himself. A bloody red line appeared on his right arm. He staggered slightly but quickly righted himself. "I'm fine. It just grazed me. It's nothing. You don't need to worry."
"William! You're hurt!" Shapira cried, tears instantly welling in her eyes. "It's my fault! I shouldn't have insisted on coming! I should have listened to you. I feel so guilty." She grabbed his injured arm, feeling the warmth of the blood on her skin. "Let me heal it! I can do it!"
"It's nothing, Shapira," William said, gripping her trembling hand. He tried to smile, though a flicker of pain was in his eyes. "It's just a scratch. It's nothing. Don't worry about me. I would do anything to protect you. Even if it means sacrificing myself. Even if it means dying. I would do that for you. You don't need to feel guilty, you did nothing. This is my destiny, to protect you."
William pulled Shapira into his arms again, holding her tight amid the threats surrounding them. He tightened his embrace. "I will always protect you, Shapira. I won't let anyone touch you. I promise."
Shapira buried her face in William's chest, feeling the wound on his arm, her own fear, and William's unshakeable resolve. She knew this was only the beginning of the trials they would face, but she also knew that their love was the only strength that could help them survive. William was her only hope. William was her only strength. William was her everything. She would do anything to stay with him, even if it meant sacrificing herself.
"I will always protect you too, William," Shapira whispered, closing her eyes, taking in the scent of blood and worry that clung to him. She knew the battle wasn't over. She knew they would have to face more threats in the future. But one thing was certain, she would never leave William. Never.