"How is my mother's health?" he asked, his voice low but steady.
Elara was taken aback by their close proximity, leaving her momentarily speechless.
"She is... getting better," she managed to say, clearing her throat at the end.
"Thank you," was all he could manage to say as he stepped aside, creating some distance between them. He then reached for the door handle and opened it for her.
"When I heard my mother was unwell during my retreat, I feared for her health. She can be quite fragile, and as her only son....and with my father being all she has...I felt helpless. So, thank you for taking care of her. I truly commend you," he said with a soft expression, guiding her toward the door.
"I'm happy to help, Prince...."
"Aleric," he interrupted gently.
"Prince aleric" Elara repeated as she bowed.
...."I must return to the queens chamber at once as I need to see her before I take my leave" she says as she started trailing off.
Aleric never once took his eyes off her until she was no more in the vicinity.
"She's.... beautiful" Aleric whispers to himself, still stunned by her beauty and he professional demeanor.
Aleric was never one to eye a woman as though she was a mystery, but for some reason he felt the need to be close to her. He was never one to be close to a woman through out his retreat , but why her, what was it about her that he felt like he needed her?
Aleric was struck by love at first sight, but he was the only one falling.
Elara's pov
"Well that was a bit too close for comfort" I placed my right hand on my chest as I breathe heavily catching my breath.
(He was a bit too close, what got into him?, Couldn't he have just asked me from his bedside instead of walking all the way to the door.
Maybe he's ill up there, or the wound got to his head?)
I thought to myself as I try to navigate my way to the queens chambers, I need to exist the prince chamber first, I believe it's here.
"Aha.... Finally, I was beginning to think I was getting lost"
I should already know where I'm going to since I've visited the palace for about two months. But then again I've never really been to the prince's chambers.
I was at my last turn before reaching the queens door until I bumped into some one causing me to stumble, my bag had already fallen to the floor, and I was about to fall too but the stranger was quick and caught me just in time. Out of reflex and shock, I placed my hand on both side of his shirt, as I looked at the tall, dark figure still holding on to me.
It was as if the world stopped for a while cause he was a sight to the eyes, from his chocolate like skin tone to his dark hair as his dark eye's stare into mine
I didn't know what to say, we were in this position for about seven seconds until he spoke breaking the silence.
"Please next time, watch where you going" he says gently releasing me from his grip.
"I'm sor..." Before I could say anything he had already walked away.
"Well that was odd, didn't even let me finish"
I shrugged it off as I bent down to pick up my bag that had fallen and finally make my way to the queens room.
I knocked on the door before coming in. As I made my way to the queens bed, she had already fallen asleep.
"Was I gone for that long? " I said as I examine the sleeping queen, I walked closer to her and adjusted her blanket.
"I'll guess I'll be here tomorrow morning then, she would then think I never showed up, I'll just lead a message to miss Bridgette then"
Speaking of Bridgette, she showed up by the door immediately at the door.
"I was about to send for you as I remember you'd go back to the queens room" she said with poise, her voice steady and composed.
"Here" she handed me a piece of paper with several names added with time and dates.
"The queen has ordered that you tend to the injured soldiers and the one's still coming from retreat, the queen has already begun making the first installment payment to your address and will give the final one to once the work is done"
I looked at the list of names to be treated on the paper as she continued.
"she has also ordered that i prepare the carriage for your departure, as it is already late, A royal guard has been assigned to accompany you and is waiting at the palace entrance," she said, stepping aside and waiting for my response.
"Thank you, please give my regards to the queen onces she is awake, I'll be on my way out now, thank you again." I said bowing before existing the room.
I made my way to the to the palace entrance as there was a carriage ready as promised but I didn't see any guard. The coachman signaled me to get in as it was already late. I made my way down the stairs and to the carriage. I opened the carriage door myself and saw a familiar figure sitting on one side in the carriage.
"It's you?" I said, completely at a loss for words.
"Well it took you long enough..... Get in already" he said as he had his arms crossed and a frown on his face.
The familiar figure was none other than the person I bumped into. The one who saved me from falling, I remain frozen at the carriage until he spoke again.
"Are you getting in or not?" He said loudly.
I snapped out of my frozen state and climbed into the carriage,seating myself on the opposite side, facing him.
He knocked twice in the Carriage wall, signalling the coachman to depart.