CHAPTER FIVE: STRANGER KING

The Elara's POV

“My lady.” The maids repeated,waking me from my sleep. “My lady, you have to wake up, the king had asked us to get you ready early today. Please wake up.”

I was so sleepy that I felt I should not get up at all, but already the bath was ready, and the dress was laid out: they made me sit properly as they washed and dressed me. It felt so odd to be treated like a princess when I knew deep down that it wasn't true anymore.

As soon as they finished dressing me, one of them informed me that breakfast was served. I joined them immediately.

"Everything should be ready by noon," my grandfather said mid-meal. “We leave as soon as all is ready.”

"Yes, father," my mother replied with a tone of respect.

Afterward, my grandparents left to talk about the new allaince , and my mother went along with them. Not caring which way she went, I stepped outside to get some fresh air.

The courtyard was bustling, servants moving about, guards trailing trunks filled with treasures, gold, and silver into the carriages. I watched as the horses were whinnying, and I thought, all of a sudden, life could change.

In due time, my mother came to me with the biggest smile on her face, a bit tired. "It is time to go," she said softly.

I nodded and followed her to the carriage. It was soft and cozy, but I was worrying. The carriage jolted, the journey started.

The two of us sat in silence for a while, apart from the rumble of the giant wheels. I turned to her. "Mother, who is this new king?"

She hesitated. "King Caelan of Elarion."

For a moment, I thought I would choke. "What?" King Caelan?"

She nodded slowly.

I stared at her as if she had lost her mind. "The King Caelan? The one who supposedly turned down every woman, even the prettiest, richest, most powerful one, brought to him? The richest man, in all the kingdoms? The one who never smiles, never...?"

"Elara," she interrupted softly. "Yes, that one."

I was flabbergasted. "Mother, that can't be right. Why would he agree to marry you? And take me too? What if this is a trick?"

She did not choose to respond but cast her eyes out the window. "There is a reason you wouldn't understand," she told me. "There really doesn't have to be a reason to understand just now. Please, when we get there, don't say anything that will land us in trouble. Agreed?"

I sighed and crossed my arms. "Fine. But I'm not going to like it."

Gently, she placed her hand over mine. "I know you don't. But we really don't have a choice."

For hours, this was the last thing she uttered. By then, I started thinking. What kind of place Elarion actually was? What would Elarion's palace be like? Bigger than Taranth's?

Eventually, the wheels of the carriage made me fall asleep.

My mother gently woke me up hours later.

"Elara," she cooed softly, gently tapping my shoulder."We're here."

I opened my eyes and turned toward the window rubbing the sleep away from my eyes.

The second my eyes opened , I was shocked .

Elarion bore no semblance of what I had imagined; it stood indeed far above Taranth. Even the air was fresher.

 The carriage entered a grand gate that was wide open. It was being guarded by soldiers dressed in black and gold armor, holding spears taller than myself and looking very serious indeed.

The inside of the palace was tremendously vast; the marble walls and towers sparkled.

I swallowed, hard. "Even better than in the stories," I whispered.

"True," agreed my mother. "In all its glory, His Majesty King Caelan created a kingdom like no other."

The carriage finally came to halt at the entrance that accesses the main palace. There stood royal maids outside, bowing right and left at us. One opened the carriage door; another assisted my mother out. I followed so as not to trip, holding on to my skirts.

Inside wafted warm air, filled with sweet incense. The walls were decorated with golden patterns, while the floor was shiny. The guards led us down a hallway into the grand hall. I did my best not to open my mouth in awe.

My mother walked with all her grace; her head high and back straight. My grandparents followed closely in step behind us.

As we entered the hall, I discovered there stood the nobles and servants and soldiers, forming an inner semicircle. And in the center of the room, stood a giant throne.

And on that throne sat a man I had never expected to see again.

My heart stopped.

My blood froze in my veins.

He was not wearing a simple black shirt and pants not resting against a bar table with a loosely held mug in his hand, but instead sitting up erect on the throne in dark purple and gold royal robe, with a gold crown on his head.

I must have inhaled. It cannot be true.

That same, sharp jaw. Same eyes-the same man.

The man I thought to be a sex worker, The man whom I spent the night with-was standing right there before me.

"King Caelan," my mother whispered, bowing.