Chapter 7: Unveiled
Terror gripped the room. Lady Elara, along with Seraphina, shrank back in fear. The servant, his face ashen, begged for mercy, but Crown Prince Kaelen remained unmoved.
The guards, their faces grim, moved forward to carry out their orders.
Suddenly, Crown Princess Elara stepped forward, her voice firm. "Stop!" she commanded, her eyes fixed on Crown Prince Kaelen. "This is not the way."
Crown Prince Kaelen, startled, turned to look at her. His gaze, though still intense, softened slightly.
"This… this is not necessary," Crown Princess Elara said, her voice trembling slightly. "A lesson learned is often more effective than… this."
Crown Prince Kaelen, his eyes searching hers, saw the fear mingled with a fierce protectiveness in her gaze. He remembered the terror that had flashed in her eyes when the assassin had lunged at her. He understood.
He gestured to the guards with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Stand down," he commanded.
The guards, relieved, retreated to their positions.
Crown Prince Kaelen turned back to the terrified servant. "Get out," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "And never let me see your face again."
The servant, trembling, scrambled to his feet and fled the room, leaving a trail of fear in his wake.
However, the damage was done. The display of ruthlessness had sent a clear message. Lady Elara and Seraphina, along with the other guests, shrank back in fear. They had underestimated Crown Prince Kaelen. He was not just a ruler; he was a predator, a force of nature.
Crown Prince Kaelen, his gaze sweeping across the room, turned to Crown Princess Elara. "I… I apologize for the… disturbance," he said, his voice low. "I should have handled it differently."
Crown Princess Elara, surprised by his apology, looked at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of concern and admiration. "It is alright," she murmured. "You were protecting me."
Crown Prince Kaelen, his gaze lingering on her face, felt a strange warmth spread through him. He had never expected to feel such… gratitude from her.
As they journeyed back to the palace, Crown Princess Elara found herself lost in thought. The events of the evening had shaken her to her core. She had witnessed the ruthless side of Crown Prince Kaelen, a side that both terrified and intrigued her.
But more than that, she was surprised by her own actions. She had stood up for herself, for her mother, with a strength and conviction she never knew she possessed. This was not the timid, submissive Elara of her own creation. This was she, the writer, taking control of her own narrative.
As they approached the palace gates, Crown Prince Kaelen turned to her. "I… I must confess," he said, his voice low, "I was not expecting… that."
Crown Princess Elara, intrigued, raised an eyebrow. "Expecting what?"
Crown Prince Kaelen hesitated, then admitted, "I… I expected you to be more… distressed."
Crown Princess Elara smiled. "I am the Crown Princess," she reminded him, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I am not easily intimidated."
Crown Prince Kaelen, surprised by her boldness, found himself smiling back.
As they entered the palace, a strange sense of anticipation filled the air between them. The events of the evening had shattered the barriers between them, revealing a new layer of intimacy, a shared understanding of danger and vulnerability.
However, beneath the surface, Crown Prince Kaelen felt a growing respect for his wife. Her courage and intelligence had impressed him deeply. He was already beginning to see the value of her insights, remembering her earlier suggestion regarding the Atherian campaign. He was eager to hear more of her ideas, to see what
other unexpected brilliance she might possess.