The city of Eldoria was already alive with activity when Prince Kaelen stepped through the palace gates.
Merchants called out from their stalls, carts rolled across the stone streets, and the familiar hum of daily life surrounded him. Yet despite the bright morning, Kaelen's thoughts remained heavy.
Two weeks.
Two weeks until Lyra's eighteenth birthday.
Two weeks until the king intended to announce their engagement.
Kaelen ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
The palace courtyard suddenly felt suffocating, and the only place his mind kept returning to was the healer's tents in the lower market.
Without thinking too much about it, he turned toward the city.
The Healer's Tents
Elara was busy organizing jars of herbs when a shadow fell across the table.
"You're here early today," she said without looking up.
Kaelen froze slightly. "You knew it was me?"
Elara glanced up, a small smile forming.
"You have a very recognizable way of standing there like you're about to announce something dramatic."
Kaelen exhaled slowly. "Unfortunately… you're not wrong."
The smile on Elara's face faded slightly. "That doesn't sound promising."
Kaelen glanced around.
A few injured townspeople were still resting nearby, and Alaric was working in another tent across the square.
"Can we talk?" he asked quietly.
Elara studied his expression.
Something was clearly wrong.
She nodded toward a quieter corner behind the tents.
They walked there together, away from the crowd.
"What happened?" she asked.
Kaelen leaned against the wooden post of the tent, staring at the ground for a moment before speaking.
"My father summoned me this morning."
Elara crossed her arms lightly.
"I'm guessing it wasn't a friendly conversation."
"No." He looked up at her.
"General Lysender reported us."
Elara blinked.
"Reported… us?"
"He told the king about the library."
Her stomach sank slightly. "Oh."
Kaelen continued.
"He also told him about the light on your wrist during the battle."
Elara's expression tightened.
"And?"
Kaelen hesitated. The next part was harder to say.
"The king thinks you're a distraction."
Elara gave a small, humorless laugh. "Well… that's flattering."
"That's not the worst part."
Elara's eyes lifted to his again. "What do you mean?"
Kaelen straightened slightly. "They've decided something."
Elara waited.
"My father and General Lysender."
The tension in the air grew heavier. "They want me to marry Lyra."
Elara's breath caught slightly, though she quickly hid the reaction.
"Oh."
Kaelen continued quickly. "They're planning to announce the engagement during her birthday celebration."
"When is that?"
Kaelen looked at her quietly. "Two weeks."
For a moment neither of them spoke.
The sounds of the marketplace drifted faintly around them.
Elara forced herself to remain calm.
"Well," she said finally, "that seems… efficient."
Kaelen frowned. "That's your reaction?"
"What else should it be?" she asked.
Kaelen ran a hand across his face. "I'm not happy about it, if only my father will listen to me."
Elara looked at him carefully. "You're a prince."
"Yes."
"You knew something like this would eventually happen."
"That doesn't mean I have to like it."
Elara looked away for a moment. "I don't see the reason why you're telling me this."
Kaelen stared at her. "Because it affects us."
Elara shook her head. "There is no us, Kaelen."
Before he could respond, a voice cut sharply into the conversation.
"There certainly isn't."
Both of them turned. Darin stood a few steps away, his expression dark.
"Elara," he said firmly, "I was looking everywhere for you."
Elara sighed. "Darin—"
He pointed toward Kaelen. "You."
Kaelen straightened."Good morning to you too."
Darin ignored the remark.
"What is he doing here again?"
"We were talking," Elara said quickly.
Darin crossed his arms. "About what?"
Elara hesitated.
Kaelen answered instead. "My engagement."
Darin blinked. "Your what?"
"To Lyra," Kaelen continued.
Darin stared at him. "And you thought it was appropriate to come here and discuss that with my sister?"
Kaelen's voice stayed calm. "She deserved to know."
Darin scoffed.
"Why? So she could watch the prince marry someone else?"
Elara stepped between them. "That's enough."
Darin's expression softened slightly as he looked at her.
"You shouldn't be involved in this."
"I'm not involving myself," she replied quietly.
Kaelen opened his mouth to speak again, but Darin cut him off. "My sister has enough to deal with already."
The words hung heavily between them.
Kaelen looked at Elara one last time.
"I didn't mean to make things worse."
Elara gave a small nod. "I know."
Darin gestured toward the house.
"Come on, Elara."
She hesitated briefly, then turned and walked with her brother.
Kaelen remained standing there long after they disappeared into the busy streets.
Elsewhere in the City
Across Eldoria, inside General Lysender's residence, Lyra stood near the window overlooking the streets.
A servant had just delivered news from the palace.
"The king has agreed," the servant said. "The engagement will be announced during your birthday celebration."
Lyra's lips slowly curved into a satisfied smile.
"Thank you."
After the servant left, she stared out toward the city.
Toward the healer's district.
"Elara," she murmured quietly.
Her eyes hardened.
"This kingdom has no place for girls who forget their station."
She turned sharply. Without another thought, Lyra left her chambers, her steps measured and purposeful as she moved through the halls of the residence.
Guards straightened as she passed.
Servants stepped aside. No one stopped her.
She reached the heavy doors at the end of the corridor and pushed them open without hesitation.
Inside, General Lysander stood near a large table covered in maps and reports, his back to the door.
He didn't turn.
"I was wondering how long it would take you to come," he said.
Lyra stepped inside, closing the door behind her.
"Thank you, Father."
That made him turn. His gaze softened—just slightly.
"For what?" he asked, though he already knew.
"For speaking to the king," she said. "For making this happen."
Lysander studied her for a moment before walking closer.
"Everything I do," he said, his voice firm but quieter now, "is for you."
He paused, his expression hardening again—not with anger, but with resolve.
"So you can have a future in this kingdom. A strong one."
His eyes held hers. "Even if I am not here to see it."
Lyra's expression shifted instantly.
"No," she said, stepping closer. "Father, don't say that."
There was something almost desperate beneath her composure. "You will be here."
Her voice softened, but her certainty didn't. "You'll see it all."
A faint smile touched her lips. "You'll see the future you're building."
She held his gaze. "You'll be there to see our children… your grandchildren."
For a moment, the room was quiet.
Lysander looked at her—really looked at her.
Then he let out a slow breath. "Perhaps," he said.
But there was something unreadable in his tone.
Something cautious. His hand rested briefly on her shoulder.
"Then I will make sure that your future is secured."
His voice sharpened again. Controlled and certain.
"And nothing—" his eyes darkened slightly, "—will stand in the way of it."
Lyra didn't need to ask what he meant. She already knew.
And this time—She didn't look away.