Chapter 8- The Weight Of Knowing

Elara’s POV

I didn’t stop running until the door slammed shut behind me.

My back hit the solid wood, breath coming in short, ragged gasps, my heartbeat racing out of control. My thoughts kept spiraling back to that moment , his menacing voice echoing in my ears:

“You left without a word.”

My legs gave way beneath me, and I slid down until I was sitting on the floor, the fabric of my gown spreading out around me like spilled wine.

He wasn’t supposed to be him.

The man from the club was never meant to be a prince.

He wasn’t meant to be Damon Valen, the man Celene was about to marry.

Of all the people out there… fate had to choose the one person I absolutely should have avoided.

I pressed my hands against my face.

“No, no, no… this can’t be real.”

I thought I had buried that night.

I tried to forget the way he had looked at me under those soft lights.

I tried to erase memories of his hands, his mouth, his voice.

But then he had given me that smirk across the dinner table.

Then he had cornered me in the hall.

Then he said.....

“Everything about you is dangerous.”

I shook my head fervently, as if I could physically shove those words away.

I shouldn’t feel anything.

I shouldn’t want anything.

I shouldn’t… react.

But when he approached me earlier, looking at me like I was the only one that mattered…

…something deep inside me had stirred awake.

“Stop it,” I murmured to myself, pushing myself upright. “It didn’t mean anything. It was a mistake. Move on.”

I made my way to the bathroom, peeled off the constricting gown, and stepped into the shower. The hot water beat down on my skin, but it couldn’t wash away the memory of his breath against my neck… or the way he had whispered my name like it was a cherished secret just between us.

Why him?

Why him?

I remained in the shower until the warmth turned to cold.

Finally, wrapped in a robe and still shaking, I crawled into bed.

But sleep eluded me.

It lingered just beyond the edges of the room, waiting, taunting me.

A sharp knock shattered the silence.

I nearly leaped out of my skin.

“Elara?” Celene’s voice sliced through the panic. “Open the door.”

Perfect.

Just what I needed , my future queen walking in on my breakdown.

I forced my breathing to calm and cracked the door open.

Celene stepped inside without waiting for an invitation. She looked worn-out, tense, and far too perceptive.

“I noticed you left dinner early,” she said, her tone sharp. “Explain yourself.”

I hesitated. “I… wasn’t feeling well.”

“You’re hardly ever unwell when you’re expected to act like royalty,” she retorted.

I blinked in surprise. “I’m sorry?”

Celene began pacing in the center of the room, hands clasped.

“Listen closely,” she instructed. “Prince Damon is significant. Our engagement is significant. I need you to remain polite, composed, and if necessary invisible. Don’t draw attention to yourself.”

Invisible.

That word stung more than it should have.

“I wasn’t drawing attention…” I managed to whisper.

Celene’s eyes narrowed. “You appeared nervous. You looked like you’d seen a ghost.”

If only she knew.

“And Damon kept looking at you.”

My stomach dropped. A cold, electric dread curled up my spine.

Celene continued, oblivious to my internal chaos.

“I can’t have him distracted. He is my future husband, Elara. Do you understand?”

I nodded stiffly. “Yes. Of course.”

Her gaze lingered, searching my face for something guilt, secrets.

I struggled to keep my expression neutral.

Finally, she sighed. “You may rest now. Tomorrow, we start engagement rehearsals. I expect you to be on your best behavior.”

As she turned to leave, she paused at the door.

“Elara?”

“Yes?”

Her eyes narrowed, sharp as daggers.

“If Damon tries to speak with you… don’t encourage him.”

My throat constricted.

I forced myself to nod again.

She exited, and the door clicked shut behind her.

I collapsed back onto the bed, exhaling shakily.

Celene didn’t know anything.

But she sensed something.

That alone was dangerous enough to destroy me.

I wasn’t left alone for long.

Another knock came. This time, it was softer.

“Princess?” a maid called softly. “You have a delivery.”

A delivery?

“For me?” I replied, feeling a bit startled.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

She entered the room and handed me a small velvet pouch a rich blue, adorned with golden embroidery.

My heart sank.

Nobody knew where I had been two nights ago.

Nobody knew about the club.

Nobody knew about the earring I had lost there.

Except for one man.

I thanked the maid quietly and closed the door.

My fingers shook as I untied the drawstring.

Inside was…

I gasped.

My earring.

The very one I lost when I pulled him onto the bed.

The one I thought I would never see again.

The only reminder of that night.

There was no note.

No explanation.

No signature.

Just the earring and the heavy message it carried.

I know who you are.

I know where you sleep.

And I’m not done with you.

I pressed the pouch against my chest, feeling tears prick at my eyes.

“Why would he send this back to me?” I murmured.

Yet deep down, I already had the answer.

Because Damon Valen wasn’t ready to let that night go.

Because he hadn’t listened when I said, “this can’t happen.”

Because he had looked at me like a man who didn’t accept “no” for an answer.

I tucked the earring away in the drawer by my bed.

But the trembling in my hands wouldn’t stop.

“This means nothing,” I told myself in a whisper.

My voice wavered.

“It has to mean nothing.”

Because if it meant anything…

If that night held significance for him

Everything in Averelle could unravel.

Celene.

The kingdom.

My life.

And perhaps even my heart.

I lay back on the pillow and stared at the ceiling.

Eventually, sleep found me.

But my dreams

My dreams were his.