Chapter 3: Bound by Duty, Tested by Trust
The ink on the contractual marriage agreement had barely dried when Kael's fingers wrapped around Lyra's chin, his touch sending shivers down her spine. He leaned in, his breath whispering against her lips.
"A seal to bind our fate," he whispered, his mouth brushing against hers in a gentle kiss.
Lyra's heart skipped a beat as Kael released her, his eyes gleaming with a hint of possessiveness. With a nod, he departed, leaving Lyra bewildered.
Lyra kept sitting there in a daze for some time but a tiny ball of energy burst into the room. A boy, no more than eight years old, with striking similarities to Kael, stomped toward Lyra.
"Who are you?!" he asked, his tiny fists clenched. "You're not supposed to be here."
Lyra smiled, unfazed by his hostility. "Nice to meet you, I'm Lyra. I'll be staying here for some time."
"My name is Ryren!!.You better remember it!"
Ryrien's scowl deepened, but Lyra's gentle tone and playful demeanor eventually won him over. They spent the afternoon playing hide-and-seek, laughing and chasing each other through the manor's corridors.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, a maid arrived to escort Lyra to Kael's older sister, Lady Alethea.
"Welcome, Lyra," Lady Alethea said, her voice icy.As Lyra began to talk to her over tea ,Lady Alethea looked at her with disgust and said,"I must warn you: if you value your life, stay away from my family. We can't trust elves. You're likely a spy."
Lyra's expression remained neutral, though her heart stung from the accusation. "I understand your concerns, Lady Alethea. But I assure you, my intentions are pure. I'm bound to Kael by contract."
Alethea's gaze lingered, searching for deceit. "We'll be watching you."
The next day, Lyra noticed her meals were poorly prepared, almost inedible. She chose to ignore the subtle hostility.
Later, Kael returned, his presence commanding attention. "Lady Lyra, tonight we'll announce our union to the public. Disguises will be necessary."
Together, they strolled through the bustling streets, Lyra marveling at the humans' vibrant culture. Kael pointed out landmarks, sharing stories about his childhood.
As they walked toward their carriage, a sudden burst of magic pierced the air.
It was an arrow embedded with magic,most likely an attempt of assassination.