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Chapter 7: Beneath Starlight and Secrets
Alaric felt the woven bracelet on his wrist as he drifted into the village early the next morning, his heart beating a little faster than usual. Aveline's token was simple, yes, but to him, it felt like a promise. And now, as he reached the village square, he was surprised to find her waiting there, her arms crossed as if expecting him.
"You're late," Aveline called out, though her tone held more amusement than irritation.
Alaric raised an eyebrow. "Was there a schedule I missed?"
"Apparently." She shrugged, tossing her hair back with a smirk. "Let's just say I'm used to people keeping their word."
He chuckled, enjoying the playful challenge in her voice. "Well then, I'll do my best not to disappoint."
As they walked side by side, Alaric noticed Aveline sneaking glances his way. She was still guarded, yes, but there was something different in her gaze—a softness that hadn't been there before. Their path took them through the forest on the edge of the village, a place he hadn't explored until now. The air was cool, carrying the earthy scent of pine and damp leaves, and sunlight streamed through the branches in dappled patches.
After a few moments of silence, Aveline cleared her throat, drawing him out of his thoughts. "So, why exactly do you keep coming here? What do you get out of this?"
Alaric hesitated, not sure how to answer. Could he really tell her the truth—that she'd become the only real thing in his life, a bright light in an otherwise empty world? Instead, he settled on a safer answer. "Maybe I just like the company."
She snorted, shaking her head. "You don't strike me as someone who has a shortage of people to talk to. No, there's something else. I just haven't figured it out yet."
Alaric felt his pulse quicken. Aveline was sharp—far too sharp for her own good, he thought. She would see through him eventually, and that thought both thrilled and terrified him.
Their conversation was interrupted by a sudden rustling in the bushes ahead. Alaric instinctively moved in front of Aveline, his hand reaching for a weapon he didn't have. But instead of danger, a small fox darted out, glancing at them with wide eyes before vanishing into the underbrush.
Aveline laughed, the sound light and clear. "Careful, 'stranger,'" she teased. "You're acting like you've never been in the woods before."
He relaxed, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Maybe I'm just jumpy today."
As they continued on, Aveline led him toward a small clearing where a lone tree stood, its branches heavy with early blooms. The air here was sweet, the flowers filling the space with a delicate scent. She sat down beneath the tree and patted the ground beside her, inviting him to join her.
"I come here to think sometimes," she said, her voice soft. "It's quiet. Peaceful."
Alaric nodded, understanding. They sat in comfortable silence, listening to the gentle rustle of leaves, until Aveline broke it with a question that seemed to come out of nowhere.
"Have you ever been in love?"
Alaric blinked, caught off guard by the question. He looked over at her, searching her face for any hint of a joke, but found only sincerity. "Why do you ask?"
She shrugged, plucking a small flower from the ground and twirling it between her fingers. "I don't know. I guess I was just curious. I mean… it must be different for someone like you."
Alaric hesitated, not quite sure how to answer. He'd been surrounded by wealth and luxury his entire life, courted by noblewomen with practiced smiles and shallow conversations. But love? That was something he'd never truly understood—until he'd met her.
"Honestly?" he said, his voice low. "No, I don't think I've ever been in love."
Aveline looked at him, her gaze softening. For a moment, they simply stared at each other, a quiet understanding passing between them. Alaric felt his heart pounding, the air thick with something unspoken.
But before he could say anything, Aveline's expression shifted, her guard going back up. "Well, I suppose it's easier that way," she said with a wry smile. "Less chance of disappointment."
Alaric opened his mouth to respond, but he was interrupted by the distant sound of voices. They both tensed, recognizing the harsh tones of approaching soldiers. Alaric's heart leapt into his throat; if he were seen here, it would be disastrous.
"Aveline," he whispered urgently, grabbing her hand and pulling her to her feet. "We have to go. Now."
She didn't argue, following him as they ducked behind a thick grove of trees. They crouched low, hidden among the shadows as the soldiers marched past, their armor clinking in rhythm. Alaric held his breath, feeling Aveline's hand still in his, her fingers gripping his tightly.
When the soldiers were finally out of earshot, they both exhaled, their breaths mingling in the cold morning air. Alaric looked over at her, his pulse racing, and realized just how close they were, her face inches from his own. He could see the soft curve of her lips, the flecks of gold in her eyes, and felt a sudden, overwhelming urge to close the distance.
But before he could act on it, Aveline pulled away, her cheeks flushed. "We should… probably head back."
Alaric nodded, though his heart protested. He didn't want to leave, didn't want this moment to end. But he forced himself to follow her, staying silent as they made their way back to the village.
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The rest of the day passed in a blur. Alaric couldn't shake the feeling of Aveline's hand in his, the warmth of her skin lingering long after she'd left. That night, as he lay in bed, he found himself replaying every detail of their time together, every glance, every touch, every word.
He was falling for her. There was no denying it anymore. And the realization left him with a strange, hollow ache, because he knew how impossible it was.
The next day, Alaric returned to the village, hoping to see her again. But when he reached the square, Aveline was nowhere to be found. He waited, his nerves on edge, until he finally spotted her in the distance, talking to a tall, broad-shouldered man he didn't recognize.
Alaric's heart clenched as he watched them, a strange feeling of jealousy bubbling up inside him. The man was laughing, his hand resting casually on Aveline's shoulder, and she was smiling—really smiling, a sight that he'd rarely seen.
For a moment, he felt a sharp pang of resentment. What right did this stranger have to make her smile like that? But he quickly pushed the feeling down, reminding himself that he had no claim over her, no right to feel this way.
Still, he couldn't stop himself from approaching them. As he drew closer, Aveline noticed him, her smile fading slightly. The man looked over at Alaric, his gaze cool and assessing.
"Ah, you must be the mysterious stranger," the man said, his voice deep and smooth. "Aveline's told me about you."
Alaric forced a smile, though he felt anything but friendly. "I wasn't aware I was the topic of conversation."
The man chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Well, she's mentioned you here and there. I'm Callum, by the way. A friend of Aveline's from the village."
Alaric nodded, though he could feel the tension simmering between them. Aveline looked between the two of them, her expression unreadable. "Callum and I grew up together," she explained, her voice careful. "He's like a brother to me."
Alaric felt a surge of relief at her words, though he tried not to show it. He nodded at Callum, feeling a bit foolish for his jealousy. "It's nice to meet you, Callum."
Callum studied him for a moment before nodding. "Likewise. Just make sure you don't give her any trouble, alright?"
Alaric forced a smile, feeling the weight of the unspoken challenge in Callum's words. "I'll keep that in mind."
After Callum left, Aveline turned to him, her expression curious. "Are you alright? You looked a bit… tense back there."
Alaric hesitated, not sure how to answer. He didn't want to admit to the jealousy he'd felt, the irrational possessiveness that had flared up at the sight of her with another man. Instead, he simply shrugged, offering her a smile.
"Just protective, I suppose," he said lightly. "It's in my nature."
Aveline studied him, her gaze softening. "Well, you don't need to worry. I can take care of myself."
Alaric nodded, though his heart ached at the distance between them—a distance he'd put there himself, with every half-truth and guarded word. He knew he couldn't let her in, not fully. But he also knew he couldn't stay away, even if it meant risking everything.
They walked in silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts, until they reached the edge of the village. The sky was painted in hues of orange and purple as the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the fields.
Aveline stopped, looking out over the landscape with a wistful expression. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"
Alaric nodded, but he wasn't looking at the sunset. He was looking at her, the way the golden light danced across her face, illuminating every delicate feature. He felt an overwhelming urge to tell her the truth, to let her in, to show her who he really was. But he couldn't—he couldn't risk losing her, couldn't risk the disappointment he was sure she'd feel if she knew he was the very prince she despised.
Instead, he took a step closer, his heart pounding. "Aveline, I… I wish things were different."
She looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of confusion and something else—something that made his heart ache. "What do you mean?"
He swallowed, searching for the right words. "I mean… I wish I could be the person you deserve. Someone who could give you the world."
Aveline's gaze softened, and for a moment, he thought he saw something vulnerable in her expression. She took a step closer, her hand reaching out to touch his arm. "You already are, Alaric. I don't know who you really are, or where you come from… but when I'm with you, it feels like the world doesn't matter. Isn't that enough?"
Her words pierced him, filling him with a mixture of hope and despair. He wanted to believe her, wanted to believe that they could have a future together despite the secrets that lay between them. But he knew that as long as he hid the truth, he could never fully have her.
Without thinking, he reached out and brushed a strand of hair from her face, his fingers lingering against her cheek. She looked up at him, her eyes wide, and he felt his breath catch. Slowly, he leaned in, his heart pounding as he closed the distance between them.
Their lips met, soft and hesitant at first, a gentle exploration that quickly deepened as they both gave in to the pull between them. Alaric felt a rush of warmth, a sense of belonging that he'd never felt before. In that moment, nothing else mattered—no lies, no titles, no barriers. It was just the two of them, lost in a stolen moment beneath the fading light of the setting sun.
When they finally pulled away, Aveline's cheeks were flushed, her eyes shining with a mixture of wonder and uncertainty. She looked at him, her hand still resting against his chest, and he felt a surge of protectiveness wash over him.
"Alaric," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Promise me… promise me this is real."
He opened his mouth to respond, to tell her that it was, that he'd never felt anything more real in his life. But before he could speak, the distant sound of voices broke the spell. Alaric's heart dropped as he recognized the sharp, authoritative tone of his father's advisors—men who had been sent to search for him, no doubt.
He looked at Aveline, panic rising in his chest. "I have to go," he said, his voice tight with urgency. "But… but I'll come back. I swear it."
Aveline nodded, though her expression was filled with worry. "Be careful, Alaric. Please."
He gave her one last, lingering look, his heart breaking at the thought of leaving her, and then he turned and disappeared into the shadows, his mind racing with a mixture of fear and determination.
As he slipped away, he heard the advisors' voices growing closer, and he knew that his secret life was teetering on the edge of discovery. But he also knew that he couldn't turn back—not now, not when he'd finally found something worth fighting for.
For the first time in his life, Alaric had something to lose. And he would do whatever it took to protect it, even if it meant risking everything he'd ever known.
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