In the quiet village of Eldridge, where the sun rose slow over golden fields and the wind whispered secrets through the wheat, lived a young man named Star Farewater. He was nothing special... just the son of a poor farmer, with dirt under his nails and a heart full of simple dreams. Every morning, Star woke up before dawn, his muscles aching from the day before, but he didn't mind. Life was good in its own way. He had his family, his small plot of land, and the endless sky above.
"Star! Get up, lazy bones!" his mother called from the kitchen, her voice warm like fresh bread. She was a sturdy woman, with hands rough from years of work, but her smile could light up the darkest night.
"I'm coming, Ma..." Star grumbled, rubbing his eyes. He was twenty years old now, tall and lean from all the farm chores, with messy brown hair that fell over his forehead and eyes as blue as the river nearby. He wasn't handsome like those princes in old tales... no, he was plain, ordinary. But that was fine. He didn't need more.
He stepped outside into the cool morning air, the dew sparkling on the grass. His father was already out in the fields, plowing the earth with their old ox. "Morning, Pa," Star said, grabbing a hoe and joining him. They worked side by side, not saying much. Words weren't needed between them. The rhythm of the work was enough... dig, plant, harvest. Repeat.
As the sun climbed higher, Star wiped sweat from his brow. He dreamed sometimes of adventure, but those were just silly thoughts. What would he do out there in the big world? He was happy here, with the smell of soil and the sound of birds. Little did he know, fate had other plans... sneaky, cruel plans that would turn his world upside down.
Rumors had been floating around the village for weeks. The king was choosing a royal consort! Everyone whispered about it in the market. "King Elandor needs someone by his side," the old gossips said. "Someone to share the throne, to bring peace to the kingdom." Star had heard it all, but he paid no mind. Kings and consorts were for fancy folk in the capital, not for a farm boy like him. What did he care? He had never even seen the king... or so he thought.
That afternoon, as Star was fixing a fence near the edge of their land, he heard it. Distant trumpets, blasting through the air like thunder. He paused, leaning on his tool. "What's that?" he muttered to himself. The sound grew louder, closer. Horses... lots of them. Dust rose on the horizon, and soon, a group of riders appeared, their banners waving high. Royal banners. Gold and red, with the crown emblem shining bright.
Star's heart skipped a beat. Why were they coming here? To their tiny farm? He dropped the hoe and ran back to the house. "Ma! Pa! Something's happening!"
His parents came out, faces pale. The riders stopped right in front of their humble cottage. There were six guards, all in shiny armor, swords at their sides. Leading them was a stern man with a bushy beard, holding a scroll sealed with wax.
"Star Farewater?" the man boomed, his voice like gravel.
Star swallowed hard. "That's... that's me. What do you want?"
The man unrolled the scroll and read aloud. "By order of His Majesty, King Elandor, you have been chosen as the royal consort. You will come with us to the palace at once."
The words hung in the air like a bad dream. Star blinked, sure he had heard wrong. Chosen? As consort? Him? A laugh bubbled up in his throat, but it came out as a choke. "What? Me? That's impossible... I don't even know the king!"
His mother gasped, clutching her apron. "There must be a mistake! My boy is just a farmer. He can't be... consort to the king!"
The guard shook his head, his face stone-cold. "No mistake. The king's word is final. Pack your things, boy. We leave now."
Star's mind raced. This couldn't be real. He had never left the village, never dreamed of palaces or crowns. And consort? That meant... marriage? To the king? His cheeks burned at the thought. He wasn't like that... or was he? No, no, this was all wrong. "Why me?" he demanded, stepping forward. "I've never met the king before! This has to be some joke!"
The guard sighed, like he had heard this before. "The king has his reasons. You have been chosen. That's all you need to know."
"I disagree..." Star said, his voice shaking. But what could he do? Fight them? Run? No, that would bring trouble to his family. He looked at his parents, their eyes wide with fear and confusion.
"Fine... take me to the king. I'll sort this out myself."
His mother rushed forward, hugging him tight. "Be careful, my son... oh, what is happening?" Tears streamed down her face. His father just nodded, too stunned to speak.
Star grabbed a small bag, stuffing in a few clothes and his favorite wooden carving—a little star his pa had made for him as a kid. It was all he had. As he climbed onto a horse behind one of the guards, the village folk gathered, staring in awe. "Star? The consort?" they whispered. "But he's just... one of us."
The ride to the capital was long and bumpy. Star's butt ached from the saddle, and his mind wouldn't stop spinning. Why him? Was it a random pick? Or something more? He tried to remember if he had ever crossed paths with royalty. Nothing came to mind... just endless days on the farm.
As the sun set, painting the sky in oranges and pinks, they crested a hill. There it was—the capital city, glowing like a jewel. Tall towers, massive walls, lights twinkling everywhere. Star's breath caught. It was beautiful... terrifying.
The palace gates loomed ahead, guarded by more soldiers. They passed through without a word, into a courtyard filled with fountains and flowers. Star slid off the horse, legs wobbly. "This way," the bearded guard said, leading him inside.
The halls were endless, with marble floors that echoed his footsteps and walls covered in paintings of old kings. Servants bowed as they passed, eyes curious. Star felt like a bug under a glass... out of place, dirty in his simple clothes.
Finally, they stopped at huge double doors. "The throne room," the guard announced. "His Majesty awaits."
Star's heart pounded like a drum. He pushed the doors open, stepping into a room so grand it made his head spin. Gold everywhere, chandeliers sparkling, and at the far end... the throne. And on it sat the king.
King Elandor was younger than Star expected, maybe twenty-five, with sharp features and dark hair that fell in waves. His eyes were green, piercing... familiar? Star froze. Wait... those eyes. He knew them.
The king stood, a small smile playing on his lips. "Welcome, Star Farewater. It's been a long time."
Star's world tilted. "You... Eli? From the forest? But... how?"
Memories flooded back. Years ago, as a boy, Star had wandered into the forbidden woods near the village. There, he met a lost kid named Eli, scared and alone. They played for hours, sharing stories and laughs. Eli said he was from far away, but never mentioned being a prince. They promised to meet again... but he never came back.
Now, here he was. The king.
"I never forgot you," Elandor said softly, his voice like silk. "And now... you're mine."
Star's knees weakened. This wasn't just a mistake. It was destiny... or something darker. What had he gotten into?