The night air grew colder as Isolde finally stepped out of the grand hall of the palace.
The laughter and clinking of wine glasses had faded, leaving only a silence that whispered of secrets never revealed. The palace's long corridors stretched empty, flickering torches casting their wavering light upon the cold stone walls.
The quiet felt eerie, as though each corner held something hidden, waiting to remain unseen.
Isolde took a deep breath, her steps slow as she made her way back to her chamber. She caught a glimpse of her reflection in a window—a poised and graceful figure, though her eyes betrayed a hint of unease.
Her encounter with Veren Kaelis at the banquet lingered in her mind. His gaze had been piercing, sharp with obsession, as if trying to break through the calm façade she carefully maintained.
Upon reaching her room, Isolde shut the door, her hand resting briefly against the cool wood.
Though the chamber was spacious, tonight it felt strangely confined. She sat by the window, letting the night breeze from the narrow gaps touch her warm skin.
'Why won't this feeling of unease leave me?' she murmured.
-ooOoo-
Across the room, a large mirror reflected Isolde's face, now laced with doubt and uncertainty.
She stared at herself, the confidence in her eyes replaced by questions. Her fingers drifted up to the silver necklace resting around her neck—a cool, unyielding metal that felt like a shackle, much like Veren's gaze, which seemed to want to bind her under his will.
"That gaze… as if I weren't a person, but something he could own."
Her voice was barely a whisper, her eyes clouding as she looked at her own reflection.
Being a noble, she was accustomed to others' attention, but no one had ever looked at her that way.
Veren's gaze held not only interest but a disturbing obsession—one that sent shivers down her spine, caught somewhere between fear and a curiosity she couldn't control.
She tried to shift her thoughts, focusing on the dangers surrounding her family. Her family, the House of Laedoris, was one of the oldest noble families in Velornia, yet their influence was waning amidst the rising tide of ruthless political rivalry. Once-respected noblemen were now beginning to question the Laedoris family's strength.
Isolde knew that one wrong move could lead her family into the clutches of enemies lurking within every corner of the palace.
But Veren Kaelis was different.
He was not merely a military figure or a political rival. He was a darker, more intricate threat. His stare had made her realize he desired more than power over lands or politics; he sought something deeper, something personal—her.
Knock… knock.
A gentle knock at the door interrupted Isolde's thoughts. A young maid entered quietly, carrying a silver tray with a steaming cup of tea.
The maid offered a polite smile, though she looked nervous meeting Isolde's thoughtful gaze.
"Are you all right, Lady Isolde?" she asked softly, bowing with respectful care.
Isolde returned the smile, though her heart still churned. "I'm fine, Elen. Just a bit tired from the long banquet."
The maid looked as though she wanted to say something but hesitated.
In the end, she only nodded, handing the tea to Isolde before slowly retreating, her presence dissolving into the quiet as her footsteps faded down the hall.
Isolde looked out the window, taking in the still, darkened landscape of Velornia. A strong premonition crept over her, as if the night wind carried a hidden message.
Her encounter with Veren Kaelis had been no coincidence; his unforgettable gaze made her certain he hadn't come just to celebrate the royal festivities.
Veren Kaelis wasn't the sort of man easily read, and she knew that if he wanted something, he would go to any lengths to attain it. Isolde steeled herself.
-ooOoo-
Outside her window, the night in Velornia stretched like a vast black tapestry sprinkled with stars—silent and cold.
But tonight, for Isolde, the darkness felt heavier than usual.
The intense gaze of Veren Kaelis at the banquet still lingered in her mind, full of obsession, like a hunter eager to capture his prey. Isolde couldn't shake the strange feeling that crept into her heart.
As the heir of the House of Laedoris, one of Velornia's oldest noble families, Isolde had dedicated her life to upholding her family's honor.
In the midst of the increasingly fierce political intrigue, her position was more than symbolic. She was the pillar that upheld Laedoris's dignity, a figure respected for her intelligence and strategy.
Once revered, the Laedoris family now felt the tremors of power struggles, and Isolde knew threats could come at any moment—especially from men like Veren Kaelis, who showed no mercy.
As she was lost in thought, a soft knock sounded at the door. An elderly servant with a face full of wisdom, Gregory, stepped in.
He had served her family for years and was a figure she could always rely on amid the storm of challenges.
"Lady Isolde," Gregory greeted her softly, bowing respectfully. "I hope I'm not disturbing you."
Isolde turned and offered a faint smile. "Not at all, Gregory. In fact, I could use someone to talk to tonight. Please, come in."
Gregory approached, studying her with a watchful gaze. "You seem a little different tonight, my lady. Did your meeting with Lord Kaelis leave you feeling unsettled?"
Isolde looked at her reflection in the mirror, feeling her heart beat slow but heavy.
"His gaze, Gregory… too deep, too… possessive," she murmured, as if she could still feel the subtle yet threatening hold of his stare.
Gregory nodded, wise in his silence.
"Lord Kaelis is not an ordinary man. As a commander, he is known for his ruthlessness; his strategies earn him respect. But beyond that, I believe there may be another side to him… one that perhaps he only shows to those he deems special."
Isolde gave a bitter laugh, glancing at Gregory. "Special, you say? That man sees others as chess pieces, Gregory. I doubt he considers anyone special."
Gregory looked at her for a long moment, as if reading something unspoken.
"Perhaps that's true, but power isn't the only thing men like Lord Kaelis seek. Sometimes admiration, or even obsession, can drive a man far more strongly than ambition."
Isolde furrowed her brow, trying to make sense of Gregory's words.
"I only want to protect this family, Gregory. The House of Laedoris has faced enough setbacks. And if I must stand against Lord Kaelis to preserve our honor, I will."
Gregory bowed deeply, respect shining in his gaze.
"That is why you are our foundation, Lady Isolde. While other nobles are focused only on their own status, you consider the survival of our family."
Isolde looked at Gregory, weariness in her deep eyes.
"Sometimes I wonder, Gregory… is it worth it? Guarding the family's name, fending off enemies on every side. I am tired of being a pawn in this endless game."
Gregory gave her a wise smile and nodded. "Yet without you, Laedoris would be far weaker, my lady. You are our guiding light, and Velornia needs someone who can stand firm amidst this chaos."
Isolde sighed, realizing that fate had placed her here, in the heart of Velornia's power struggle.
"Then I will keep standing, Gregory. And I'll make sure that anyone who tries to bring us down, especially men like Kaelis, will find that we are not easy prey."
Gregory looked at her seriously. "Lady Isolde… do you believe Lord Kaelis is a threat we need to take more seriously?"
Isolde nodded slowly, her gaze hardening. "Kaelis is not like other nobles who can be pacified with diplomacy or small talk. He is a threat that won't simply disappear, and I have a feeling he wants something beyond power."
Gregory raised an eyebrow slightly. "Perhaps that 'something' is you, my lady."
Isolde fell silent, surprised by Gregory's honest yet sharp words.
"If that's the case," she said, her voice nearly a whisper, "then I must be ready. Whatever he wants from me, I will face his plans without hesitation."
Gregory bowed deeply, showing his genuine respect.
"You are never alone, Lady Isolde. We are all prepared to protect you."
Isolde looked out the window, as if challenging the darkness of the night.
"Thank you, Gregory. I won't let anyone, not even Lord Kaelis, think they can control or conquer me easily."
Beneath her calm exterior, Isolde realized that the threat posed by Veren Kaelis was more real than she had imagined.