The next evening, Elora heard a soft knock on her chamber doors.
She opened the door slowly—and blinked.
A young man with wildly tousled hair stood in front of her, and his green eyes sparkled like a beautiful forest.
He sent her a wide grin, and Elora could feel her lips curl up unconsciously.
"Queen Elora" he bowed his head playfully as he greeted. "Forgive my intrusion, but I have stayed away long enough. My brother said I would disturb you with my presence and banned me from coming here, but now that he's gone, I had to sneak in to see my beautiful sister in law. "
Enid blinked again. "Sister in law..?"
He laughed, and this time Elora's eyes were drawn to his beautiful canine tooth.
It was inhumanely sharp but beautiful.
"My name is Kael," he answered with a dramatic pout, I came to the wedding with Azazeal but I guess you didn't see me with how blurry everything was.
Then his lips curled up into a somewhat cocky smirk
But I won't deny you the privilege of getting to know the fun brother." he nodded with a self-assured smile.
But Elora's confusion deepened.
"You're Azazeal's brother?"
" Yes, the one and only prince Kael of The Crimson Sky."
Elora's eyes widened.
There was little to no resemblance between the man in front of her and that cold demon she'd seen.
But wait, it's not like I've fully seen what he looks like before, have I? . But still, they are like sunshine and Storm. Total opposites!
And she was right, where Azazeal was icy and stoic, Kael was mischievous and cheerful.
He stretched out his hand casually to reach for her.
" Come, I heard you've been cooped up in this room since you got here, the castle is really beautiful in the day, unlike the night when it looks like something out of a gory story book."
Elora hesitated before placing her hand in his. His grip was warm, soft, and comforting.
She glanced around the room, but she noticed the maid paid them no attention and went about their duties without a glance, as if his presence in her chambers was completely normal.
Elora smiled faintly, lips parting to accept his invitation.
" Alright. Let's go."
"Great! I have lots of places to show you. Consider today an escape from your glorified prison."
Elora's brows rose curiously as she followed the hyper-exciteted man.
The garden they entered was nothing like Elora had ever seen or imagined.
A beautiful glass bench carved with ancient markings that glowed under the sun, sat right in the middle of the garden, near the moon flowers.
Glass butterflies flew over the water fountain, and everything looked so magical and unreal.
And obviously different from the gardens in the human kingdom, that was probably because the demon wolf king is said to possess magical abilities gifted by the moon goddess.
Elora inhaled the fresh and calming air that surrounded her.
It truly felt good to be outside of that castle.
Her eyes roamed around the forest and she couldn't help but think that Karl was right. The castle looks beautiful in the day, unlike at night when it looks haunted and cold.
The sun was warm and not hot, the wind was calm and the large tree rustled gently from the breeze.
A wide smile appeared on her face as she whispered " It's really beautiful."
"Hmm." Karl nodded in agreement.
" No one really comes here, it's Azazeal's private sanctuary. But I figured he wouldn't mind that his mate came out here to play."
Kael said as he led her past a short bridge.
At the mention of Azazeal, Elora's newly found peace instantly vanished and her heart thudded.
He led her towards the chair and they took a seat while she dipped her hand in the cool water of the fountain.
She'd wanted to do so immediately she saw the sparkly fountain from afar.
The water was cool against her fingers and a giggle escaped her lips as a butterfly perched on her wrist.
The butterflies were glass and beautiful, unlike anything she's ever imagined seeing.
" Have you been liking your stay since you got here? " Kael's gentle voice asked after a few minutes of silence.
" I can't complain, the royal maids are really nice and everyone is respectful and kind. It's unlike what I prepared myself for honestly."
Elora shrugged, toying with the hem of her dress.
" And it's not a hidden fact that your brother didn't want this marriage, I'm grateful he isn't treating me like dirt at least."
" And how do you know he doesn't want the marriage? Did he tell you that? "
Elora moved on her seat to face Kael's small smile.
" We haven't been properly introduced ever since I got here, we've never spoken or had a conversation, when I hear from him, it's always the messengers telling me he's either out or travelling far away from here. And I understand him, why would he want a wife that was practically used as payment for his kindness and protection? Afterall, he is the almighty Alpha." She rolled her eyes at the last bit and Kael laughed at her bratty expression.
Elora's cheeks reddened when she realized she had fallen out of character, she had to be meek and gentle around these people and keep her hate towards their king to herself.
" My brother can be very complicated, but trust me, if he didn't want the union, he wouldn't have accepted it in any way, no one has the power to force him to do what he doesn't want. And he's also not as terrifying as he seems…. Sometimes"
Elora only nodded, not wanting to dwell on the complications of her so-called husband.
" So, what fun things do you plan to do while you're here, don't tell me you want to spend your days alone locked up like a crucified princess. " Kael asked with a horrified look, but the playful glint in his eye was obvious.
" Am I not a crucified princess?" she teased with a serious expression.
Kael's horrified look immediately turned real at the thought that she actually saw herself as a crucified princess.
Elora laughed. Really laughed.
Not the fake polite smile she throws at others, but a bubbling happy laugh that caught even her by surprise. She never knew she could do such a thing, it was never an expression she had the privilege of especially in her past life.
She pressed her palm to her mouth, cheeks flushed pink with delight.
Clearing her throat she inhaled deeply "You don't have to worry, I don't really mean that.
Kael visibly relaxed a little.
" U-Um, I've been thinking of speaking to the knights. I want to learn archery and horse riding it's been my dream ever since I was a little child "
And after I died in my first life, I regretted not doing the things I loved.
So, I'd like to do so.
Kael immediately nodded with a wide smile on his face. " Go for it, I'd like to escort you there but Vael is not around, he will be back by tomorrow evening, and I'll be gone by then. He's the one you would meet and he would put you through, you're his queen and your wish is his command."
Vael, the name sounded awfully familiar. Alpha Azazeal's Beta. The man who almost killed Kennen in the blink of an eye.
Elora pursed her lips as she remembered.
I'd rather eat sand than allow him to teach me.
She blinked innocently at Kael not revealing her thoughts.
" Is there anyone else who can teach me? "
Kael nodded, "Yes, the head of the royal Knights. Casteel. He trains the knights so he'd be happy to train you in archery."
Elora's smile was instant and bright. " I'll meet him as soon as possible."
They talked about random things after that, and Enid discovered his undying love for apple pies, stories of him stealing from the royal chefs, and Azazeal covering up for him while their parents scolded made her wheeze with laughter.
Although she noticed the tiny hint of sadness in his eyes while he spoke about their parents, she didn't bother asking.
She knew her place in this world. And on her lane she would gladly stay.
When the time came for Kael to return back to his castle, Elora felt a pang of sadness hit her.
It was her first time in her two lives that she had fun with a new friend, and she didn't want the day to end.
Although she put on a wide smile when he announced that he was leaving Kael saw right through her.
His hand lifted to pat her head fondly, the gesture was oddly calming and brother-like, Elora's eyes teared up from the unfamiliar warmth she'd never been shown before.
"Don't worry Elora, this visit was unplanned. Next time, I'll bring gifts and we'll have much more fun things to do and talk about. "
Elora nodded swallowing the lump in her throat.
Waving him goodbye as his carriage left, she went back into the castle and the maids followed behind her as she headed back to her chambers.
Her dinner was eaten in a blur and she happily threw herself on the large bed when the time to sleep came.
And for the very first time since she'd reincarnated.
Elora slept with a wide smile on her face.