Elara's jaw dropped, and her eyes were wide.
"Seriously? Did I just hear that right?" she turned to Aurora, a mix of shock and confusion on her face.
"Wait, was he calling out your name or mine? Aurora Blackthorn, Elara Blackthorn. They sound practically the same," she blurted out.
"Your Majesty, I think you might be mistaken," Lady Victoria stammered, her laughter uneasy. "It's Lady Au-ro-ra Blackthorn. She's the eldest and most elegant among all the Blackthorns."
With a little push, she placed Aurora in front of her. Aurora gracefully curtsied, facing the King.
The King's voice remained polite but firm, "But I rarely make mistakes, milady."
An awkward hush fell upon the court. And Lady Victoria's breath seemed stuck.
Whispers started to buzz, "Did you hear? She's trying to lecture the King."
"She must be planning to lure her eldest daughter to the King. How despicable!"
Elara felt her mother's anger rise, watching her mother's clenched fists.
Meanwhile, Aurora is smiling demurely as if she wasn't the talk of the town.
"I am referring to Lady E-la-ra Blackthorn. She is your youngest, I suppose?" the King asked with curiosity as he gazed at Elara.
Elara's heart raced as she stood amidst the bustling crowd. Her eyes widened with surprise.
'Oh, my stars! Have we met before?' She wondered, her mind racing with excitement.
"Y-yes, your Majesty," Lady Victoria stammered as she casted a disdainful glance at Elara for a quick second.
She is motioning her to bow down to the King.
Elara straightened her posture, mustering all the composure she could. Then she bowed and met the King's gaze with a blend of awe and curiosity.
As their eyes locked, a myriad of emotions washed over Elara. The weight of his gaze felt both exhilarating and intimidating.
It was as if the King held the key to a world she had yet to discover.
With a gentle smile gracing his lips, the King spoke. His words carried a weight of respect and courtesy.
"Lady Elara Blackthorn, it is a pleasure to see you."
Whispers filled the air as the guests turned their attention to Elara.
One curious voice broke through the murmurs, "Who is Lady Elara?"
A different voice chimed in promptly, stating, "She happens to be the youngest member among the Blackthorns, a renowned aristocratic clan hailing from Veridia. However, rumors suggest she possesses a rebellious streak."
Envy dripped from a nearby woman's words as she shot resentful glances her way.
"I don't see the charm. The King might have noticed her, but not as a potential queen, surely."
But amidst the whispers and jealous glances, another man chimed in.
His words held admiration, "I've never seen someone so simple yet so captivating."
Elara's attention, however, remained solely on the king. A mixture of surprise and delight coursed through her veins.
"He sees me," Elara muttered between breaths.
She felt a surge of validation and recognition. And it was by someone of such high stature.
Elara's lips curled into a shy smile as she performed a graceful curtsy.
"Your Majesty, the pleasure is mine," her voice remained steady, masking the quick thud of her heart.
Their eyes locked – Elara's gaze meeting the King's sapphire stare.
In that fleeting moment, a hint of intrigue danced within his eyes.
'What's he thinking?' Elara mused, her mind racing to decipher the secrets hidden behind his composed demeanor.
To Elara's surprise, Lord Malachi stepped forward. And he positioned himself just inches away from her.
With a bow, he addressed the King, his voice laced with a subtle hint of possessiveness. "She is also my wife-to-be, Your Majesty."
The room grew still as Lord Malachi's action spoke volumes.
The guests' eyes widened as they landed on Lord Malachi.
"Oh my, is he just claiming her in front of the King?" one of them whispered.
Elara tried to maintain her composure. But her heart fluttered with uncertainty. 'What is happening?'
She stole a quick glance at the regal figure standing in front of them. His expression was unreadable.
"Would he grant them his blessing?" one of them reacted.
"Is he Lord Malachi, the fallen demon?" a noblewoman murmured, her eyes wide with shock.
Their voices, like delicate echoes, reached her ears, carrying disbelief and astonishment.
"How can the woman whom the King favored be betrothed to a fallen demon?" a man replied, his voice barely above a breath.
Elara's gaze swept over the room. And she caught glimpses of raised eyebrows and knowing glances.
"He must be using her," a skeptical voice insinuated, spreading doubt like wildfire.
"The King's favor means nothing against the power of a demon," another commented. Fear laced their words.
"Mark my words, this is no ordinary betrothal," a wise old man whispered. His voice carried a hint of wisdom.
Elara glanced at Lord Malachi, her gaze filled with a mix of pity and empathy.
He stood tall before her. And he radiated confidence and enigmatic charm, despite the ridicule he faced.
She couldn't help but feel sorry for him, for he seemed untouched by the cruel words that surrounded him.
For a fleeting moment, she doubted if she would continue her plan of escaping the marriage.
Meanwhile, the King must have heard the commotions. He acknowledged Lord Malachi with a warm note.
"Lord Malachi, I am glad you have finally found your match," he said with a nod.
However, just as swiftly as the exchange occurred, the King continued forward. His attention refocused on the grand hall before him.
The King's demeanor remained composed and unaffected. And it gave no indication of any deeper meaning behind the interactions.
Elara listened attentively as the guests around her sighed in relief.
They leaned in closer. Their voices were hushed and barely audible. And they whispered their thoughts about the king's mercy towards the fallen demon.
"I never expected this," one guest murmured, disbelief coloring their words. "The King, showing such kindness to a creature we all feared."
Another guest chimed in, their voice tinged with awe. "He's setting an example for us all, teaching us to give others a chance."
Elara noticed a hint of skepticism in a neighboring guest's tone. "But what if there was some hidden agenda? We cannot be too trusting."