Cursed Union

{9}

Mature scenes in this chapter marked by the presence of a red symbol. They might trigger some of you, so, please proceed with caution.

Also, this chapter contains sexual assault, abuse, and an attempted rape, so, if you are uncomfortable with that and the sex, please read the summary of the chapter at the end and skip this content. Your mental health matters. 

The first few days after the assault, Eliana had kept herself locked away from the world. The Queen visited from time to time to check in on her, guilt and concern etched on her face at Eliana's condition. The Prince had kept himself away, yet his involvement in the betterment of her condition was notable.

He gently pushed her towards art and then singing, kept her busy and his presence concealed. Her faith in her bracelet and his magic was the only component hindering her from tumbling into a life of fear. As long as it was around her wrist, she was certain he'd find her, she was certain he'd protect her.

He even asked his most trusted sentries to train her, to teach her how to fight.

He kept her from descending into darkness.

It took her a few months to heal completely, to push the trauma to the back of her mind and to stop having the nightmares on repeat, and that was when Alexander pulled back.

The only reminder of his existence was his daily visit to where she practiced her singing. It lingered and trailed her like a shadow, soothing her, comforting her in the oddest of the ways, yet piercing her soul apart as well.

They made appearances together in the public, sometimes sat beside each other during meals with potential allies and acquaintances, and while he didn't downright ignore her, he made no effort to strengthen their bond.

Over the years, Eliana started to develop a small crush on him, yet every time it started to blossom to something bigger, the Prince pushed her away, wordlessly reminding her that he never loved her.

The last of those instances, Eliana had spent weeks weaving a cloak for him and she'd gifted it to him on his birthday. The Prince had offered her a small 'thank you' before retiring to his chambers.

Four hours later, she'd witnessed a naked lady leave his chambers wrapped in nothing but that cloak, silently sneaking away. She'd found Eliana gaping at her, unshed tears in her eyes and had winked with a smirk before walking away, knowing well that she was Alex's betrothed.

In the morning, the cloak was in mud outside the castle's gate, and Eliana could only watch as wheels of carriages crushed it over and over again. She had come to bid the Prince goodbye for he was leaving to visit a nearby land. The Prince had offered her a small wave before his horse's hove had gotten stuck in the cloak and the Prince had demanded the guards in a cruel voice to get rid of the cloth.

It had taken her a week to nurse her broken heart, and when a guard had carried a message from the King, informing her that the Prince would return in three days, she had stormed to the Queen's chambers.

With the Queen's consent, she had departed to the Keovalan Empire the morning of the Prince's arrival and as she had passed the streets of Sleyisea, she had prayed to the gods above that she wouldn't have to return back.

They had stopped at a manor belonging to one of the lords who was more than honored to let her and her guards stay.

She was given a beautiful golden room, with yellow light shinning and reflecting off the glassy architecture. It looked like a goddess's chamber at night. She had looked outside the balcony, glancing at the tall mountains guarding the eastern borders of Sleyisea, and a single tear had escaped her eyes.