The morning sun was bright and cheerful, but Elias felt anything but.
After his heartfelt conversation with Lady Selene in the secluded garden, he'd been filled with a strange mix of emotions: pride in earning her trust, concern for her struggles, and guilt for overstepping boundaries he was constantly reminded of.
He thought he could shake it off, but the stern expression on Head Maid Sasha's face as she intercepted him in the hallway told him otherwise.
"You've crossed the line, Elias," Sasha said, her voice sharp and unyielding. "This is the last straw. You've taken liberties with both the prince and Lady Selene that are far beyond your station."
Elias opened his mouth to protest, but Sasha raised a hand, silencing him. "No excuses. You're a servant, not their equal. And while they might find it amusing to have you at their side, it's my responsibility to make sure you remember your place."
Her words stung, but Elias couldn't argue with them. He was just a servant—a pawn in this world who happened to have a mission—and nothing more.
"You'll be working in the stables for the next week," Sasha continued. "Maybe some hard labor will remind you of where you belong."
Elias nodded quietly, his head bowed. There was no point in fighting back. He'd already caused enough trouble for himself. "Yes, Head Maid Sasha."
Sasha gave him a curt nod before walking away, leaving Elias standing alone in the corridor. He sighed and made his way to the stables, the distant sound of hooves and neighing horses already filling the air.
______
Meanwhile, in one of the grand chambers of the palace, Prince Aedric and Lady Selene stood before a gathering of imposing figures. Emperor Alaric sat at the head of the room, his presence as commanding as ever, while Royal Advisor Xavier and the unnamed head of the temple flanked him. The atmosphere was tense, with the weight of the meeting pressing down on the young prince and his fiancée.
"Aedric, Selene," the emperor began, his deep voice carrying an air of authority. "It is time for the two of you to take the next step in solidifying your bond as future partners. A companionship ceremony is a tradition for the crown prince and his future empress, a way to strengthen your connection."
The children exchanged glances, neither looking particularly thrilled by the idea. Prince Aedric's brows furrowed as he crossed his arms. "I don't want to do it," he said bluntly.
Selene nodded in agreement. "Neither do I."
The royal advisor Xavier sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "This isn't optional, Your Highness. The ceremony is a vital step in preparing for your future roles. It's not about what you want—it's about duty."
"But I already have a bond with Elias," Aedric said, his voice defiant. "I don't need another one."
Selene chimed in, her expression equally determined. "Me too. Elias is the only one I trust enough to form a bond with."
The room fell silent, the weight of their words hanging in the air. Xavier looked like he was on the verge of pulling his hair out. "That's not how this works!" he exclaimed, his voice rising in frustration. "You cannot form a bond with a servant. It's unheard of—unacceptable!"
The head of the temple stepped forward, his expression calm but firm. "Prince Aedric, Lady Selene, the bond we speak of is sacred. It is not simply a matter of trust or friendship. It is a spiritual connection that ties you to one another as future rulers of this empire. A bond with a commoner would not hold the same power or significance."
Aedric's jaw clenched, and he looked away, his gaze fixed on the floor. Selene, however, stood her ground, her hands balled into fists. "I don't care about power or significance," she said. "I care about loyalty. And Elias has always been loyal to me."
Emperor Alaric leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes studying the two children before him. "You both speak highly of this boy," he said, his tone measured. "But you must understand that the responsibilities of the crown go beyond personal feelings. Aedric, you are the future emperor. Selene, you are his chosen partner. Your bond must reflect the strength and unity of this empire."
"But Elias makes me feel safe," Aedric said quietly, his voice carrying an uncharacteristic vulnerability. "He's always there when I need him."
Selene nodded, her expression softening. "And he listens to me when no one else does. He doesn't treat me like I'm just a princess."
Xavier groaned, rubbing his temples. "This is not about feelings, Your Highnesses. This is about the stability of the empire!"
Alaric raised a hand, silencing the advisor. His gaze lingered on Aedric and Selene, his expression unreadable. "You are both young," he said finally. "Perhaps too young to fully grasp the weight of your roles. But know this: the path you choose now will shape not only your futures but the future of this empire."
The children exchanged glances again, their resolve wavering slightly. But before either could respond, the emperor rose from his seat, signaling the end of the discussion.
"We will revisit this matter another day," he said. "For now, return to your chambers and reflect on what has been said."
Aedric and Selene bowed reluctantly before turning to leave the chamber. As they walked down the corridor together, their frustration was palpable.
"This is so unfair," Selene muttered, her fists clenched at her sides.
"I know," Aedric agreed, his voice low. "They don't understand."
They walked in silence for a moment before Selene spoke again. "Do you think Elias is okay? I heard Sasha sent him to the stables."
Aedric frowned, a flicker of worry crossing his face. "We should check on him."
Selene nodded, her determination returning. "Let's go."
Back at the stables, Elias was knee-deep in muck, his hands blistered from scrubbing the stone floor. He tried to focus on his work, pushing away thoughts of the earlier scolding and the lingering feeling of rejection. But when he heard the sound of familiar footsteps approaching, he looked up to see Aedric and Selene standing in the doorway.
"Your Highnesses?" Elias said, startled. "What are you doing here?"
"We came to see you," Aedric said simply, his tone firm.
Selene stepped forward, her expression softening as she took in his disheveled appearance. "You've been working so hard, Elias. It's not fair."
Elias blinked, surprised by their concern. "I'm fine," he said quickly, brushing dirt off his hands. "It's just stable work. Nothing I can't handle."
But Aedric shook his head. "You shouldn't have to do this. Come on, let's go."
Elias hesitated, glancing back at the stall he'd been cleaning. "I can't just leave. Sasha will—"
"Let me handle Sasha," Aedric said, his tone brooking no argument. "You're coming with us."
Selene nodded, her expression determined. "You're not just a servant, Elias. You're our friend. And we take care of our friends."
Elias felt a lump rise in his throat at their words. Despite the rules and boundaries that separated them, Aedric and Selene had always seen him as more than a servant. And in that moment, he couldn't help but feel grateful for their unwavering loyalty.
"Alright," he said quietly, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Let's go."
The next morning, Elias found himself back at the stables, the smell of hay and horses greeting him like an unwelcome reminder of his position. Despite the brief reprieve he'd had with Prince Aedric and Lady Selene the day before, Head Maid Sasha clearly wasn't about to let him off the hook so easily.
She stood nearby, arms crossed and sharp eyes following his every move. It was as if her gaze could pierce through the very walls of the stable, and Elias felt the weight of her scrutiny with every step he took.
"Less dawdling, more work," Sasha snapped, her tone firm but not unkind. "You've been spoiled by those two children for far too long. It's time you remembered what your role here is."
Elias sighed inwardly but kept his head down, focusing on brushing the horse before him. He knew better than to argue with Sasha—her patience was already wearing thin, and he didn't want to risk making things worse.
Still, as he worked, he couldn't help but think about the unwavering loyalty Aedric and Selene had shown him. It warmed his heart but also left him feeling conflicted. He wasn't sure how to balance their affection with the reality of his station. For now, though, he had no choice but to endure Sasha's watchful gaze and get back to work.
The system chimed, but despite it saying that, Elias had no idea what it wanted from him, and he doubted he would get to know it anytime soon either.