The Prince and the Enchanted Forest

Chapter 4: The Pact of Shadows

The next morning dawned unusually cold for early summer. A veil of mist clung to the ground, swirling and curling through the royal gardens like ghosts from a forgotten age. Eryndor had returned from the forest well before dawn, slipping through the palace halls like a shadow. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, a storm of decisions that tugged at his very soul. Yet beneath it all, there was a quiet certainty that grounded him.

He had made his choice.

His steps slowed as he approached the throne room. The great wooden doors stood closed, but from behind them, the low murmur of voices filtered through. Eryndor took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. He knew that his decision would not be met with understanding, least of all from his father.

The moment he entered, the room fell silent. King Ardan stood tall and imposing at the center, his piercing gaze locking onto Eryndor as soon as he stepped inside. Queen Lysandra, ever serene, sat beside him, her eyes filled with concern. Around them, courtiers and advisors watched in tense anticipation. Eryndor's absence the night before had not gone unnoticed.

"Eryndor," King Ardan's voice was as heavy as the silence that followed, "we've given you time, as much as we could afford. But the kingdom cannot wait any longer. You must choose a bride and fulfill your duty."

Eryndor held his father's gaze, feeling the weight of responsibility pressing down on him, a force as heavy as the crown he would one day wear. He had been raised to serve this kingdom, to one day lead it. But how could he lead when his heart no longer belonged to the world he was meant to rule?

"I have made my decision," Eryndor said, his voice steady.

A murmur of surprise rippled through the court. The king raised an eyebrow, clearly unprepared for his son's sudden resolve.

"Good," King Ardan said, his tone softening slightly. "Then we will announce the engagement. Tell us, who have you chosen?"

Eryndor hesitated, glancing briefly at his mother. Her eyes, filled with hope and worry, seemed to urge him to speak carefully. But there was no avoiding the truth.

"I choose no one from the suitors you've brought to me," Eryndor said quietly.

The room grew still again. King Ardan's expression darkened, his brow furrowing deeply. "What do you mean, no one? You must choose someone."

Eryndor shook his head. "I cannot, Father. My heart does not lie with them. It lies with someone else."

A tense silence followed, the kind that seemed to stretch on for an eternity. Then, it was Queen Lysandra who broke it, her voice gentle but firm. "Who, Eryndor? Who holds your heart?"

The prince took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping the room, but when he spoke, his words were directed only to his parents. "I have fallen in love with Elara. She is an elf, bound to the magic of the Dark Forest."

A collective gasp echoed through the hall. Advisors exchanged uneasy glances, and whispers spread like wildfire. King Ardan's face paled, his mouth set in a grim line.