The Burden We Share

Chapter 13

Location -The Kindom of Aeloria
Season- Winter
Time of day- evening

-A few minutes
before Loria woke up-

-Elunara POV-

The sun was shining on the bed but that wasn't the source of my warmth I looked down to see Loria cuddled snuggly up against my chest. She looked so peaceful and beautiful while she's asleep, I couldn't help but stare.

I moved a strand of her beautiful hair to the side, "Why would a king foolishly let go of such a beautiful woman" I whispered to myself, if I was in his position I would've rather gone to war. I found myself thinking back to what Jen my royal adviser told me she found out about Loria. For one my suspicion about her origins were justified. Apparently when Jen went to the human kingdom undercover she said she used her truth seeking magic and was told from many of the people there that they had never seen or heard of the queen being pregnant with the youngest princess, some even went as far as to say that when she was born the queen recovered in just a day.

That within itself is weird if I'm not mistaken human woman are fragile and recover much more slowly from child birth then the average female elf. They said it takes them weeks to recover but it only takes an elf two days, unless the queen is an elf, that is not normal for a human or possible.

Then there's her siblings treatment of her, I don't know much about the first princess but I've met the first and only prince and from what I was told by my cousins is that the way he spoke to her when he thought they couldn't hear him was harsh and forceful.

That makes me wonder what else has this beautiful woman had to endure.

I sighed and gently moved Lorias head to a pillow, I didn't want to leave but I had a meeting with the elders that I just couldn't miss especially when they so firmly suggested it.

After getting bathed and dressed I made my way down the palace hall to the war room/meeting room.

When I got the doors the guards immediately let me in opening them as they bowed. I walked into the room and everyone who was seated at the table immediately stood up and bowed their heads. "Your majesty" they all said in unison "At ease" I replied as I took my seat at the head of the table, they all obeyed and sat down as well.

"Shall we began?" I asked they all nodded and one of the council members started to speak.

He looked nervous when speaking, "Your majesty, I fear that the discussion from the other day was disregarded too fast" he said.

Narrowed my eyes at him "And what are your referring to?" I asked, I knew what he was talking about but I wanted to be 100% sure "I um, the matter of marriage between you and the human princess from the enemy king" he said boldly now speaking much more confidently. "I see.......You wish to challenge my decision" I said, he started to panic. "I-I- No of course not your majesty we only wish to understand it" he said quickly changing his tone.

"There is nothing to understand, I have chosen my partner a right that was left to me by my father" I said.

Just then another man stood up to speak but he was not from the royal elven council I recognized him as the elven duke of Rhinestone region, Duke Velar Rhineston.

The Duke was an older man but even in his old age he was still a sturdy tall, broad shouldered handsome gentleman who even now has the eyes of everyone woman and man.

However the Duke is married and has 3 children all of whom are sons.

The Duke is a well known and respected war hero much like my father he's a descendant from another war hero that fought in the great wars against humans centuries ago.