Shrouded Royalty

Twilight Temptations

    The night air carried a cool breeze as Aeliana slipped out of the palace with her three closest friends, their hushed footsteps the only sound in the quiet streets. The lanterns lining the path flickered gently, casting warm light over their faces. For the first time in days, Aeliana felt like she could breathe, even if it was only for a few stolen moments.

Seraphina broke the silence with a light chuckle. "It's about time we escaped. I thought you might wither away in that palace, Aeliana."

Aeliana offered a small smile but didn't respond immediately. The weight of her duties still hung over her, even here. "I needed this. More than you know."

"We know," Emera said softly, walking a little closer. "But are you sure you're alright? You've been... distant lately."

Aeliana stopped walking, her gaze drifting towards the stars above. She wanted to tell them everything, but where would she even begin? Her heart ached with the weight of expectations, the constant need to be perfect, to fulfill every royal duty without question. She clenched her fists briefly.

"I feel like I'm living someone else's life," she said finally, her voice quiet but filled with emotion. "Like I don't have a choice anymore."

Opalina nudged her gently. "Well, we're here to remind you that you do. You're Aeliana, our friend—not just a princess. We won't let them take that away from you."

Aeliana smiled at that, feeling a flicker of warmth in her chest. Yet the sense of confinement still lingered. She started walking again, her friends falling into step beside her.

Suddenly, the world seemed to shift. Aeliana's vision blurred, and she stumbled, reaching out to steady herself against the wall. The sounds of the city faded into the background, replaced by an eerie, serene quiet. A vast, frozen landscape stretched before her, glittering with ice and frost. In the distance, a lone figure stood among the snow-covered trees.

He was tall and broad-shouldered, with blonde-tipped auburn hair catching the faint light. His eyes, a piercing hazel, held a calm, steady presence. He didn't speak, but something about him was comforting. He stood unmoving, like a guardian of this frozen world, radiating peace in the midst of the icy wilderness.

Aeliana's heart slowed, and for a brief moment, the tension in her chest eased. Who was he? She felt drawn to him, not in fear, but in curiosity. The vision seemed to stretch on, time losing all meaning. And then, as quickly as it came, the icy world faded, and she was back in the bustling streets of Oryus.

She gasped softly, her hand still pressed to the wall.

"Aeliana, what's wrong?" Seraphina's voice was sharp with worry.

"I—I saw someone," Aeliana murmured, her voice trailing off as she pressed a hand to her temple. "It felt so vivid, like he was right there... but peaceful, not threatening."

Her friends exchanged glances, worry flickering across their faces. Seraphina stepped closer, gently touching her arm. "Who was it? What did you see?"

Aeliana hesitated, still trying to make sense of the fleeting vision. "I don't know. It was just... calm. Like nothing else mattered. It was strange, but for a moment, I felt free."

Emera's brow furrowed, her voice soft but curious. "Do you think it means something? It's not like you to just imagine things."

Aeliana shook her head, frustration creeping in. "I don't know what it means, but it was... different. Real. More real than anything I've felt in a long time."

Opalina, ever the optimist, gave her a gentle nudge and smiled. "Maybe it's a sign you need to find that peace for yourself. We all know you've been needing it."