Forbbiden Love Princess & Guard☑️

Chap #1 The Weight of The Crown Pt 1

Chapter 1: The Weight of the Crown

The heavy oak doors of the throne room creaked open as Princess Elara Mariana Falkenstein stepped into the grand hall. Sunlight streamed through the towering windows, casting long shadows on the marble floor. Her delicate hands gripped the sides of her gown—a soft blue silk dress, embroidered with gold filigree, designed to symbolize both her status and her destiny. Every step she took echoed with the weight of her future as the next ruler of Valorian.

The court was in full assembly, her parents seated upon the twin thrones at the end of the hall. King Edmund, a man whose very presence demanded respect, sat upright, his steely gaze scanning the courtiers with practiced precision. Queen Seraphina, her beauty rivaled only by her poise, offered Elara a small, approving nod as their eyes met.

Behind her, always a shadow, was Captain Caden Blackthorn. His armor gleamed, polished to perfection, though his expression remained stoic, revealing nothing of the emotions that churned beneath the surface. He had been her protector for years, sworn to her service, yet Elara knew there was more to their bond than duty. Though his eyes never lingered on her for more than a heartbeat in public, she could feel his presence like a steady flame in the cold court.

Today's gathering was not unusual; the court often discussed alliances and state matters. But today was different. Today, she would face yet another reminder of her obligation to the crown—her impending marriage to Prince Lucien of Avendale.

As she approached the thrones, her father spoke. "Elara, it is time to discuss your future, the future of Valorian."

Her heart sank. She already knew what this discussion would entail, but hearing it spoken aloud, in front of the court, made it all too real.

"The alliance with Avendale is crucial," King Edmund continued, his voice carrying the weight of a man who had ruled for decades. "Prince Lucien's arrival in the coming days marks the beginning of your formal courtship. It is imperative for the stability of our kingdom."

Elara kept her face composed, though her mind raced. She had met Prince Lucien before—charming, polite, everything a princess should want. Yet her heart held no affection for him. It belonged elsewhere, to someone she could never publicly claim.

"Yes, Father," she replied, her voice calm, though a storm brewed inside her. She caught a fleeting glance from her mother, who, while sympathetic, remained steadfast in her belief that marriage was a duty, not a choice.

As the court shifted to other matters, Elara's mind wandered to the gardens—their secret haven. It was there, away from prying eyes, that she and Caden had first spoken freely. The stolen moments of whispered conversations, where he became more than just her guard, more than just a man sworn to protect her. He was the one person who saw her not as a princess, but as Elara, a woman with dreams and desires of her own.

When the court finally adjourned, Elara's steps were light as she left the hall. She made her way toward the gardens, her heart racing with the hope that Caden would follow.

And he did.

In the quiet seclusion of the rose garden, far from the palace walls, Elara turned to him. "How long will I have to endure this?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper, as if the very walls might betray her.

Caden's blue eyes met hers, filled with both longing and restraint. He knew what she meant—knew the battle she fought between duty and desire because it was a battle he fought every day as well.

"Your duty to the crown must always come first," he said, though the pain in his voice betrayed his true feelings. He took a step closer, close enough that Elara could feel the heat radiating from him. "But I will always be here, for you."

For a brief, stolen moment, they were just Elara and Caden—two souls trapped by circumstance, yearning for something they could not have. But duty, like the crown, was a weight neither of them could shed.

"I don't know how much longer I can pretend," she whispered, her fingers grazing his armored hand. "Not when it's you I think of, not when it's you I—"

He stepped back, the movement swift, as though retreating from the very edge of danger. "We must be careful, Elara. If anyone were to see..."

His words hung heavy between them. They both knew the consequences. A princess could not love her guard. A princess could not defy her kingdom.

Elara nodded, forcing herself to step back, to pull away from the warmth of his presence. The weight of her crown, though not yet placed upon her head, felt heavier than ever. The kingdom needed her to marry Prince Lucien. Her parents needed her to secure the alliance. But her heart—her heart would always belong to Caden.

"Meet me here tonight," she whispered before turning away, disappearing back into the palace. There, in the shadows of the grand halls and towering walls, she would continue to play the role of the perfect princess.

But tonight, in the garden, she would be Elara, and in Caden's arms, if only for a fleeting moment, she would allow herself to be free.