A somber silence hung over the main gates of Eldrida Palace today. It was time for Prince Rayan's departure to his hometown. King Julian and the other members of the court offered him a formal farewell.
As he prepared to leave, Rayan's eyes searched for Emily in the crowd. She was standing there, but her lips were tightly sealed. She didn't say a single word to Rayan, merely watching him go with her sorrowful brown eyes. For Rayan, her silence felt like a sentence of heart-break, yet he mustered the courage to give her one last faint smile before turning away.
Before departing, Rayan approached Sofia and took her hand to bid farewell. In these few turbulent days, a deep and selfless friendship had blossomed between them. Rayan promised, "Sofia, even though we will be in different kingdoms, our friendship will not end. We will continue to write letters to each other." Sofia smiled warmly and nodded, "Of course, Rayan. I will look forward to your letters and will surely write back."
As Rayan held Sofia's hand and spoke with such intimacy, Cable, standing nearby, could not hide his jealousy. His fists clenched, and a flash of discomfort crossed his eyes—he didn't like this growing closeness between his Sofia and Rayan at all.
Standing at a distance, King Julian observed the entire scene with calculated interest. His experienced eyes not only caught the unbreakable bond between Rayan and Sofia but also clearly read the jealousy etched on Cable's face. Noticing the deepening connection between Cable and Sofia and Cable's possessive reaction, a line of deep concern appeared on the King's forehead. He realized that emotions were now rising above politics and royal decorum.
In Calorina City:
Days passed in Calorina Palace, with Arya's condition worsening—her body grew frail, and her spirit seemed entirely broken. She barely ate, barely spoke, and rarely left her chamber, except to stare out the window. Her thoughts were consumed by Ethan, and tears streamed down her face in a never-ending cycle of grief.
Her loyal maid, Elara, witnessed Arya's anguish daily. She had served Arya since childhood and knew her mistress's timid nature, but seeing her turn into this hollow shadow was unbearable. One evening, as Elara prepared to remove Arya's untouched dinner tray, a surge of determination took hold of her.
"Now it is enough," Elara whispered to herself, resolve etched clearly on her face. "I have seen my lady suffer silently for too long. Even if King Breloff takes my life, I must tell him the truth."
Elara's mind raced with the secret she had kept hidden—a secret that had the potential to free Arya from her emotional prison and reunite her with Ethan.
With trembling hands, Elara poured out the untouched tea and sat beside Arya on the bed, her voice barely above a whisper:
"My lady, please eat something. You have not been eating properly for a long time; if you continue to delay your food like this, you will fall sick."
Arya's eyes lingered on Elara's concerned face before she picked up a spoon, her hand trembling slightly. She took a small bite of the soup, then another, Elara watching with relief as Arya slowly finished half the bowl.
As night fell, Arya retreated into exhausted sleep, Elara sitting vigilantly beside her until the princess's gentle snores filled the room. Once assured Arya slept soundly, Elara slipped out of the chamber, navigating the darkened corridors with familiarity.
Her destination was Ethan's quarters – a risky move, yet Elara felt compelled to act. She reached Ethan's door and knocked softly – three gentle taps, a prearranged signal.
The door creaked open, Ethan's weary eyes locking onto Elara's determined face.
"What brings you here at this hour?" Ethan whispered urgently, his voice low and cautious.
Elara glanced around the dimly lit room before stepping closer, her voice barely above a whisper:
"My lady Arya... she's suffering terribly, sir. I've come to tell you something."
Elara's voice was gentle but direct:
"I know you love Lady Arya, and Lady Arya also loves you."
Ethan's expression twisted in pain as he looked away, his voice laced with anguish:
"No... I don't love her. If she loved me, she would have waited for me... but she didn't." He paused, his eyes clouding with hurt memories.
Elara's expression was firm yet gentle:
"You are misunderstanding Lady Arya."
Ethan's puzzled gaze encouraged her to continue. "I've heard things secretly, hidden behind curtains—things King Breloff said to Lady Arya after you left for war."
Elara's voice lowered further:
"He threatened to kill you, if Lady Arya didn't agree to marry Prince Ryker. He said your love was merely a fleeting infatuation and you would forget her soon."
Ethan's eyes widened in horror. Elara continued, her words painting a heartbreaking picture:
"Lady Arya was given an ultimatum: save you by accepting the engagement or risk everything for a love King Breloff deemed doomed. She chose to protect you... and has been dying inside ever since."
Elara's hands reached out, as if pleading with Ethan to understand:
"Lady Arya loves you very much, sir. She is utterly helpless against the king's cruelty."
The chamber fell silent, Ethan's face etched with shock, heartbreak, and longing.