I'm Sure I Won't

“I’m sure I won’t,” Elias chuckled, resting his arm lazily on the back of the seat beside her. “Your world sounds like it runs on chaos. I’d die before breakfast.”

“I think it would physically kill you to be less arrogant.”

He laughed again. “In a world where people take honesty for arrogance, I wouldn’t want to live there either.” He leaned a little closer. “Are you sure you didn’t migrate here on purpose?”

Lyra narrowed her eyes, but the smirk tugging at her lips betrayed her amusement. “You know what’s exhausting? You. Talking to you is like trying to have a debate with a cat that thinks it owns the room.”

“And yet, here you are. Still talking to me. Must be my irresistible charm.”

She groaned theatrically and flopped her head back against the plush seat, limbs splayed in defeat. “Why do I even try? It’s like arguing with a marble statue of smugness.”

“My Lady!” Thaddeus’s clipped voice called out.

Lyra’s groan escalated into a full-body protest. “No. Nooo. I just sat down. This is oppression. Elias, please, save me,” she pleaded, reaching a hand toward him.

Elias smiled. “I’ll give you the world if you go through with this,” he said softly.

She sighed, dragging herself upright. “At least tell him to be nice.”

“I don’t think Thaddeus is capable of that,” Elias replied, eyes following her as she smoothed the front of her gown.

She gave a final groan and disappeared around the corner, muttering.

Elias remained where he was, watching the space she’d just occupied. “She’s either going to get me arrested or killed,” he muttered to himself with an exasperated fondness that didn’t quite hide the worry in his voice.

Because the truth was, the more time he spent with Lyra, the more he feared what would happen when the game was over and she went back to a world that wasn’t his.

*****

“Lord Elias. It’s so nice to see you again,” Duke Williams said with a practiced smile, giving a bow It was the sort of bow that screamed, I respect you, but the guy wearing the crown is still in the room.

Elias returned the gesture with the same political grace, the edges of his smile polished and diplomatic. “It’s good to see you again too, Duke Williams. This is a nice ball, as always.” He was scanning the ballroom, noting every suspicious glance, every too-perfect smile. He wasn’t here to enjoy the wine, he was here to sniff out whoever thought they could get away with murder and political sabotage.

The ballroom glittered but Elias’s mind was elsewhere. Lyra was due to arrive any moment, and the clock inside his chest ticked just a little louder with every passing second.

“It’s so weird calling you ‘Lord’ after years of addressing you as the prince,” the Duke added.

Elias’s smile softened. “We all have to get used to it,” he said, as casually as he could manage. Even me, he thought grimly. Every time someone used his new title, it sounded like a bad joke.

“Well…well…Elias,” a familiar voice drawled behind him, cutting through the moment.

Elias turned, already bracing himself. Enter King Matthew, resplendent in ego, striding toward them.

“Looks like you have returned in time to face judgment for your crimes,” Matthew said, his smile sharp enough to shave with.

Elias raised his brows and put on the most innocent expression he could muster. “What crimes, Your Majesty?” he asked.

“Don’t be coy with me,” Matthew spat.

“Oh, I’m not being coy,” Elias said, reaching for a glass of wine from a passing tray. “This is just my face when someone accuses me without evidence. Do you like it? I’ve been practicing it in the mirror.”

The duke coughed into his drink.

Matthew’s eyes darkened, but he kept smiling. “You may think this is all a game, cousin, but people are watching. When you fall, it won’t be quietly.”

Elias sipped his wine and leaned in just slightly, keeping the smile on his lips. “I do so love a dramatic ending.”

“Your Majesty, if I may,” Duke Williams began. “I can assure you that the Prince…” He caught himself. “—Lord Elias has nothing to do with Miss Lirae’s disappearance.”

The king’s head swiveled in his direction. His gaze alone was enough to make the Duke visibly shrink two inches.

The poor man blinked, swallowed hard, and promptly shut his mouth.

“Oh… didn’t I mention?” Elias began. “Miss Lirae has been found.” He smiled, letting the words hang in the air. “As a matter of fact, she will be here very soon.”

Matthew threw his head back and let out a laugh so loud and theatrical it could’ve been heard in three neighboring kingdoms. “Everyone!” he shouted, gesturing grandly to the room as if announcing the punchline of a long-winded joke. “Elias here says Miss Lirae has been found!”

The room erupted in a collective gasp of relief. Guests turned to one another with wide eyes, whispering behind fans and champagne glasses.

Matthew, however, was still laughing. Alone. Loudly.

Elias stood there, perfectly composed, but inside he was fighting the urge to roll his eyes. God, this man needed a hobby.

“Is there a reason you believe I am lying, Your Majesty?” Elias asked smoothly, arching an eyebrow.

Matthew's laughter finally died down, but his grin didn’t. It was all teeth and malice. “You say she will be here soon,” he said with a flourish, gesturing. “Well, let’s all have our drinks, be merry, dance… while we wait for Miss Lirae.”

He patted Elias on the shoulder, then turned and strutted back to the seat that had been reserved for him.

Across the ballroom, the orchestra struck up a cheerful waltz.

Duke Williams turned sharply to Elias. “For how long are we going to bear this?” he hissed, eyes darting to make sure no one was in earshot. “This is the silliest person to ever rule a kingdom. Are you just going to stand by and watch him bring Terra Lucida to its knees?”