Later that day, as she strolled through the market, taking in the colours, sounds, and scents of Selene, she felt a strange contentment. The people were welcoming, smiling as they passed her by, and the guards seemed as enthralled by her enjoyment as she was by her surroundings.
The bustling market of Selene opened before Nila like a new world and a vibrance she hadn't seen in a while. Stalls stretched out in all directions, offering everything from exotic fruits and spices to textiles in every shade imaginable. Musicians played in the square, and children weaved through the crowd laughing, creating a warmth in the air that Nila couldn't help but absorb.
As they walked, she found herself drawn to the many stalls, each one a glimpse into the culture and spirit of Selene. One stall sold beautifully crafted ceramics, another displayed rows of delicate silver jewellery, silver jewellery seemed to be Selene's daily wear. A vendor enthusiastically sold perfumes and scents in glass bottles that sparkled in the sunlight, while another offered finely carved trinkets and figurines. Everywhere she looked, there was something to capture her attention.
After a while, Nila noticed her hands were empty. She had been admiring the market with interest, but she hadn't bought anything. As she reached for her pockets in her gown, she realized she didn't have any money.
A warm chuckle sounded beside her. "Forgive me, my lady," one of the guards said, noticing her confusion. "But as the queen, you don't need to carry money. Anything you wish to take is yours, and the kingdom will account for it at the year's end."
Nila's eyes widened slightly, the title he had called her sinking in. The queen of Selene. It was a strange feeling, still foreign yet powerful, and it reminded her of the responsibility she held in this new land. She glanced around, her thoughts drifting back to Cyrus and the quiet way he had looked after her, even when he wasn't present. Perhaps she could find something here for him, a small token of appreciation.
Walking through the market, she explored each stall with a keener eye, searching for something special. Eventually, she found herself drawn to the vendor selling perfumes. She lifted a small, dark blue vial with intricate silver swirls. The scent was deep and rich, reminding her of the night air, cool and soothing. She imagined Cyrus might like it, something calm yet powerful.
Moving on, her gaze fell upon a small wooden figurine, crafted with careful attention to detail. It depicted a wolf staring at the moon, its posture proud and protective, while a small bird flew just above it, wings outstretched. Nila's breath caught at the intricacy of the carving. She imagined it sitting on Cyrus's desk, she felt the faintest smile touch her lips and gently took it, thinking how symbolic it felt, how much it reminded her of him.
As she wandered further, Nila came across a vendor selling fine paper, ink, and quills. The papers were of different hues and textures, some thick and fibrous, others light as air. She carefully chose a few sheets, along with a bottle of ink and a silver-tipped quill. She could write to Laila, sharing stories of Selene, and perhaps a letter to Cyrus as well.
Her mind lingered on him as she finished her purchases, wrapping her items with care and thanking the vendors. Though she hadn't spoken the words last night, the thought of him leaving had filled her with a mix of worry and yearning. She wanted him to be safe, and more than that, she wanted him to come back so she could finally tell him everything in her heart, words she hadn't found the courage to voice.
As they returned to the mansion, Nila's gaze drifted across the quiet countryside. She clutched the figurine in her hand, a small yet powerful reminder of Cyrus.
Meanwhile, Cyrus was deep in the heart of a foreign council. The atmosphere was tense as he met with commanders and foreign allies, arranging strategies and demanding the finest precision from his men. His tone was cold and unyielding, leaving no room for hesitation or weakness. He was known to spare no mercy for those who betrayed his kingdom, and as he issued his orders, his men watched him with both fear and respect.
His thoughts, however, drifted back to Nila more than once, reminding him that he had someone to return to this time, someone who needed him just as much as he needed her. Though his heart had hardened for the battle ahead, a piece of it remained soft, tethered to a woman in the kingdom he'd left behind.
As the night drew on, he sat alone by a dimly lit candle, scanning the letters from his advisors. One letter caught his attention: a report from the captain he had left in charge of guarding Nila. They had taken her to the marketplace as he'd instructed, and she seemed to enjoy her time there. Relief and a sense of longing filled him. He could imagine her smiling, exploring his kingdom with curiosity.
His thoughts lingered on her words from the night before. 'You'd better come back, Sol,' she had said, a glimmer of playfulness masking her concern. And for the first time, as he stared into the flickering flame, he felt certain he would, no matter what lay ahead.
The reason Cyrus had initially set his sights on Navaria was strategic, Navaria held powerful alliances with the eastern kingdoms, kingdoms that had long been rivals to Selene. By capturing Navaria, Cyrus would not only expand his own territory but also sever those eastern connections, weakening his enemies. It was a move that promised to neutralize a significant threat from the east, effectively killing two birds with one stone.
But now, everything has changed. He hadn't taken Navaria by force, instead, he had married Nila, the princess of Navaria. This decision hadn't gone unnoticed by their enemies to the east. With Navaria still standing, the eastern kingdom saw an opportunity to strike. They viewed his marriage as a vulnerability, a soft spot in his otherwise ironclad rule.
Still, none of this would make Cyrus second-guess his choice. He would never trade Nila for the promise of peace or the gain of another kingdom. If necessary, he would burn the world to protect her, to keep her by his side. In the end, he realized that no alliance, no territory, was worth more to him than she was. She was the only blessing he cared to fight for now.