CHAPTER TEN : A HEART IN DENIAL

CHAPTER TEN

ALARIC’S POV

“Spying on the Queen again?”

The voice behind me made me flinch. I turned quickly, heart jumping into my throat, only to see Rowland standing there with that same smug look he always wore when he caught me doing something questionable.

“No,” I said, forcing a laugh. “Far from it.”

He raised a brow, clearly unconvinced. “Come on, Alaric. There’s nothing to be shy about. You’ve been doing this since you knew Elara was your betrothed.”

I scoffed, walking past him toward the hallway.

“Not like I care. I despise her now.”

“Oh, you do?” he teased, following me. “Could’ve fooled me.”

“Who would love someone like her?”

I muttered.

“She was close to killing me once… and now she’s suddenly closer.”

Rowland chuckled. “How so?”

I stopped walking, turning to face him fully. “What’s with this sudden act of kindness? Acting pure, soft, and perfect. It doesn’t suit her.”

He shrugged. “I heard rumors in Pricetown that the Queen might be suffering from some strange illness.”

I laughed bitterly. “Is that what they’re calling it now? A sickness? How convenient.”

He watched me with a cautious look. “Whatever it is, you need to be careful. Elara doesn’t just change overnight. Women like her don’t. She wants something. She’s setting a trap, and she wants you to walk right into it.”

“I thought as much,” I said quietly, my tone sharper than I intended.

Rowland placed a hand on my shoulder. “Be careful, my king. I’m your best friend. I know what’s best for you.”

“I know,” I said. Rowland has always been the one person that stood by me as a kid. He knows about my tough times and understands everything I've been through even with my own family.

We entered the main building. As we walked, my mind kept drifting back to her, to Elara.

Then I saw her..

Someone I saw leaving the prison minutes ago

She was walking down the corridor toward us, head slightly bowed, her gown trailing softly behind her. The candlelight danced across her hair, and for a second, I forgot to breathe.

She looked… different.

The Elara I knew never walked with humility. She used to glide into every room like she owned the world. But this woman, this quiet, gentle figure, looked almost timid. Her movements were slow, graceful, her eyes lowered as though she was lost in thought.

“Good evening, my lord,” she said, her voice soft, almost hesitant. She bowed slightly before glancing up. “Evening to you, Sire.”

Rowland’s expression shifted instantly. Shock, maybe confusion. I didn’t blame him.

Then she looked at him directly. “I hope my message found you well.”

Message?

Rowland blinked, clearly thrown off. “Y-Yes, my queen,” he stammered, though his voice betrayed his unease.

I frowned. “What message?”

She turned to me. “Nothing of concern, my king,” she said, her tone calm. “I only wanted to express my gratitude, for earlier.”

“Earlier?” I repeated, irritated.

“For helping me when I fainted,” she explained, her eyes soft. “For taking me to the physician. I was treated and I feel much better now.”

I stared at her, searching her face for the smirk, the hidden mockery that always came with her words. But it wasn’t there. She meant it.

“I didn’t ask,” I muttered, looking away.

Rowland nudged me subtly, a silent plea for manners.

Elara’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Still, I wish to show my gratitude properly,” she continued. “It’s been a while since we shared a meal together. I’d like us to have breakfast in the morning. I’ll tell the cooks to prepare something nice.”

“I’ll skip,” I said coldly, brushing past her.

She didn’t stop me, but then her voice came, quiet and trembling in a way that made me freeze.

“Please.”

That one word.

It wasn’t commanding. It wasn’t laced with pride or anger. It was soft, real.

“Please, my king.”

For a moment, I couldn’t move. Her tone didn’t sound like the woman I married. It sounded like someone else entirely.

Rowland’s eyes flicked between us, his face a mixture of surprise and discomfort.

“Alright,” I said finally, my voice low. I turned and walked away, Rowland hurrying after me.

I didn’t look back. I couldn’t.

Because if I did, I might have seen something in her eyes I wasn’t ready to face.

As we made our way down the corridor, Rowland exhaled sharply. “You see what I mean now? This is dangerous. She’s changing her tone, her attitude, even her voice. She’s trying to get under your skin.”

“Maybe,” I murmured, though my chest still felt heavy from that single word…”please”.

He grabbed my arm, forcing me to stop. “Listen to me, Alaric. This is how it begins. You let your guard down once, and she’ll use it against you. Don’t forget who she is.”

I met his eyes. “You think I could ever forget?”

He let go slowly. “Just be careful.”

I nodded, though my mind was already drifting.

By the time we reached my chambers, I could still smell her perfume in the air….light, floral, haunting..