Arelia Voss loved quiet mornings.
Not because her life was perfect, but because mornings were the only time she felt like the world wasn't asking anything from her. No chores. No neighbors calling her name. No responsibilities. Just the soft air, the early sun, and the whisper of the river behind her village.
She walked slowly along the path leading to the fields, carrying a small basket of flowers she planned to sell in the market later. Her brown hair was loose, her feet bare against the cool grass. She liked it that way—simple, soft, free.
Arelia had grown up in this village. Everyone knew her as the gentle girl who smiled easily, helped quickly, and never caused trouble.
She didn't have a mother. Her father died when she was little. And though she lived alone, she had never thought too deeply about it. Life was what it was.
But lately… she had been feeling a strange pull.
Like the world was waiting for her.
Like something was watching her from just beyond the trees.
She tried to ignore it.
"I'm just tired," she whispered to herself as she plucked a small white blossom. "Nothing unusual."
But the uneasiness didn't leave.
It stayed in her chest like a small, quiet warning.
A moment later, a soft rustle echoed from the far end of the field.
Arelia froze.
Not out of fear—she wasn't easily frightened—but because the sound felt intentional.
Like someone was there.
Someone who knew her name.
Someone who had been waiting.
She turned slowly.
A figure stood at the edge of the field.
Tall. Still. Wrapped in a black cloak embroidered with gold at the edges—symbol of the royal palace.
Her heart jumped.
A prince.
No—the prince.
Prince kael Draven.
She had seen him only once, from a distance, when she was thirteen and he rode through their village during a patrol. Even from far away, she remembered his posture—cold, disciplined, untouchable.
He looked different now. Older. Sharper. His dark eyes were fixed on her with an intensity that made her breath catch.
He stepped forward.
"Arelia Voss," he said quietly. "I finally found you."
She blinked.
Found me?
Why would a prince be looking for me?
"I… think you have the wrong person," she said softly.
Kael's expression didn't change. "I don't make mistakes."
The wind shifted, brushing against her skin.
Arelia swallowed. "Why are you here? I'm just a village girl. I don't know anything about the palace."
A flicker—barely a change—passed through his eyes. Something like regret. Or worry.
"You're not 'just' anything," Kael said.
"You're more important than you know."
Arelia shook her head, confused. "I don't understand."
"You will," he replied. "But not here."
He glanced behind him, scanning the trees as if expecting someone to appear.
"Soldiers are coming," he said quietly. "They're searching for a girl with your name."
Arelia felt something cold slide down her spine. "Why?"
Kael hesitated.
Not long, but long enough to scare her.
"…Because they believe you're the last of a bloodline the empire destroyed."
A heartbeat passed.
Then another.
Her voice barely came out. "My family?"
His eyes softened, just for a second. "Arelia… you're in danger. You have to come with me."
She stared at him, breath trembling.
She didn't know what to believe.
She didn't know who she really was.
She didn't understand why she suddenly mattered to a prince.
But deep inside—beneath the fear—she felt something else.
A pull.
A connection she couldn't explain.
Like this moment, this meeting, was always meant to happen.
A shadow moved behind the trees.
Kael's jaw tightened. "They're closer than I thought."
He reached out his hand.
"Arelia. Please."
For the first time in her life, a choice stood in front of her.
Stay in the only home she knew…
or trust the mysterious prince whose voice was both gentle and frightening.
Arelia's breathing quickened.
The air shifted.
A branch snapped.
Someone shouted in the distance.
She took one step back.
Kael's eyes widened—fear flashing in them for the first time.
"Arelia," he whispered urgently.
"If you don't come with me right now…
they will kill you."