As the echoes of the former queen's departure faded into the distance, Elara and Draven stood in the grand hall, enveloped in the warmth of their shared embrace. The tension of the moment had dissipated, replaced by a sense of peace and solidarity that bound them together like an unbreakable chain.
Draven's heart swelled with affection as he gazed down at Elara, his eyes shining with adoration. "Elara," he whispered, his voice soft and gentle, "there's something I need to ask you."
Elara's breath caught in her throat as she met his gaze, her heart pounding with anticipation. "What is it, Draven?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Draven took a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly as he reached into the pocket of his robe. With a nervous but determined resolve, he withdrew a small velvet box and opened it to reveal a sparkling diamond ring nestled within.
"Elara," he began, his voice filled with emotion, "from the moment I first laid eyes on you, I knew that you were the one I had been searching for. You have brought light and joy into my life in ways I never thought possible, and I cannot imagine facing the future without you by my side."
Elara's eyes filled with tears as she listened to his heartfelt words, her heart overflowing with love for the man standing before her. "Draven," she murmured, her voice choked with emotion, "I... I don't know what to say."
Draven's lips curved into a tender smile as he took her hand in his, his gaze never wavering from hers. "Elara," he whispered, his voice filled with love, "will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Tears of joy streamed down Elara's cheeks as she nodded, her heart overflowing with happiness. "Yes, Draven," she replied, her voice trembling with emotion, "yes, I will marry you."
With a cry of delight, Draven swept Elara into his arms, spinning her around the grand hall as cheers erupted from the palace staff gathered around them. And in that moment, amidst the joy and celebration, Elara knew that her life would never be the same again.
As the days passed and the excitement of the proposal began to fade, Elara found herself consumed by a whirlwind of emotions. The prospect of becoming an empress filled her with both excitement and trepidation, as she grappled with the weight of the responsibilities that lay ahead.
But amidst the chaos of her thoughts, one thing remained constant: her love for Draven, unwavering and true. And as they stole moments of quiet intimacy together, their bond growing stronger with each passing day, Elara knew that together, they could face whatever challenges lay ahead.
One evening, as they sat together in the gardens beneath the light of the moon, Draven reached out to take Elara's hand in his, his touch sending a shiver of electricity down her spine. "Elara," he began softly, his voice filled with tenderness, "I know that being an empress will be a daunting task, but I have every confidence in your abilities."
Elara's heart swelled with gratitude at his words, her doubts melting away in the warmth of his love. "Thank you, Draven," she whispered, her voice tinged with emotion. "I promise to do my best to be the empress our kingdom deserves."
Draven smiled, his eyes shining with pride as he leaned in to press a gentle kiss to her lips. And in that moment, as their hearts beat as one and their souls intertwined in a silent promise of forever, Elara knew that together, they were unstoppable.
But little did they know that their happiness would soon be put to the test, as dark forces conspired against them from the shadows. And as they embraced in the soft light of the moon, unaware of the challenges that lay ahead, they could only cling to each other, their love the only beacon of hope in a world fraught with uncertainty.