heart of eldoria

chapter 3

Chapter Three Elara 

The music enveloped Elara like a warm embrace as she swirled in the arms of Luca, her bodyguard, feeling both liberated and nervous. Every turn brought a rush of exhilaration, but with it came a piercing reminder of their reality. She was a princess, and he was her protector—two worlds colliding in a moment that felt too perfect to last.

As they danced, the gaze of the court bore down on them, a mix of curiosity and judgment swirling in the air. She could sense their whispers, the way they leaned in to catch snippets of conversation. What would they say? That she was being reckless? That a mere bodyguard had caught her fancy? She could only imagine the rumors that would spread like wildfire if anyone dared to speculate on the nature of their connection.

“Just breathe,” Luca murmured, his voice low and steady, as if he could read her thoughts. His presence was grounding, yet the tension in his frame was palpable. She caught the fleeting glance of concern in his green eyes, and it only heightened her awareness of their precarious situation.

“I’m fine,” she replied, forcing a smile, but even as she said it, she could feel the uncertainty brewing within her. The laughter and chatter of the ballroom faded into a distant hum as she focused solely on him. “This is nice, isn’t it?”

His lips twitched into a small smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Nice isn’t the word I would use to describe a royal gala filled with people who’d rather see you married off than free.”

Elara bit her lip, a mix of amusement and frustration bubbling up. “You make it sound so dreary! It’s just a dance. I can’t be the perfect princess all the time, can I?”

He tightened his grip around her waist, and for a moment, she felt the weight of his concern. “No, you can’t. But you must be cautious. Your actions have consequences, and I’m not just talking about the court’s gossip.”

The sincerity in his tone cut through her lightheartedness. She nodded, the gravity of her position settling like a heavy cloak on her shoulders. “I know. It’s just—sometimes I wish I could be… someone else. Just for a night. Someone who isn’t expected to follow the rules.”

“I understand,” he said, his voice softening. “But being you comes with great responsibility. There are those who would exploit any sign of weakness, especially now.”

She wanted to argue, to dismiss his concerns, but deep down, she knew he was right. The kingdom was changing, and the political landscape was fraught with tension. Whispers of rebellion were stirring in the air, and she could feel the pressure building within the palace. Her father had been increasingly on edge, his meetings growing longer and more secretive, and she often caught her mother staring out at the horizon, worry etched on her features.

As the music reached a crescendo, Luca pulled her closer, their bodies moving in perfect sync. In that brief moment, the world around them faded away. She allowed herself to feel the warmth radiating from him, the strength that promised protection. “You make it hard to remember who I am,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

He paused, his gaze searching hers. “And who are you, Elara?”

She hesitated, the question hitting deeper than she anticipated. Who was she beyond the crown? Beyond the expectations and duties that had been handed to her since birth? “I’m just… me. A girl who wants to see the world, to explore, to live without the weight of a title.”

The dance slowed, and their eyes locked, the unspoken understanding between them thickening the air. She could sense the conflict within him—the bodyguard and the man, torn between his duty to protect her and the undeniable connection they shared.

“Then let’s make the most of this night,” he said, a spark of determination igniting in his eyes. “I may not be able to change your reality, but I can help you create a moment of freedom. Just promise me you’ll stay close to the guards.”

Elara smiled, feeling a rush of gratitude for his unwavering support. “I promise. Just for tonight, I want to embrace the joy of being me.”

As the song shifted to a softer melody, they continued to dance, their movements weaving through the sea of guests. Elara felt light, her heart soaring with every beat of the music. For the first time in ages, she felt like more than just a princess; she was a young woman reveling in the moment, savoring the fleeting taste of freedom that Luca had given her.

But even as the warmth of the moment enveloped her, she could not ignore the nagging thoughts in the back of her mind. The kingdom was on the brink of uncertainty, and with each passing moment, the shadows grew closer, threatening to overshadow the joy of the evening.

The dance ended, and applause erupted around them, but Elara found it hard to focus on the cheers. Instead, she felt Luca’s hand linger on her waist for just a moment longer before he stepped back, his demeanor shifting back to that of a protector. She could see the way his eyes scanned the crowd, ever vigilant, ever aware.

“Stay close,” he reminded her, his voice low and serious once more.

Elara nodded, but the moment felt bittersweet. She was grateful for his care, but a part of her longed for more than just the safety he provided. She wanted to share her dreams, to connect with him beyond their defined roles. But how could she, when the weight of her crown loomed so heavily over them?

As the evening wore on, Elara found herself pulled into conversations with nobles and dignitaries, her laughter mingling with the music, but Luca was never far from her side. He was her constant, a reminder of the reality waiting for her beyond the ballroom.

Finally, as the night began to wind down, Elara found a moment of solitude on a balcony overlooking the gardens. The moonlight bathed the world in silver, casting an enchanting glow over the meticulously maintained hedges and blooms. She leaned against the railing, taking a deep breath, trying to ground herself amidst the whirlwind of emotions.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Luca’s voice broke the silence, and she turned to find him standing a few steps behind her, his expression softening in the moonlight.

“Yes,” she replied, her heart racing at his sudden closeness. “It’s breathtaking. Sometimes, I wish I could escape to places like this, just for a while.”

He stepped closer, the cool night air swirling between them. “You deserve to see it all, Elara. The world is vast, and it holds so much more than this palace can offer.”

“I want to explore,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “To discover who I am outside of these walls.”

For a moment, their gazes locked, and she could see the reflection of her own longing mirrored in his eyes. Then, the moment shattered as a loud burst of laughter echoed from inside the palace, pulling them back to reality.

“Come on, we should rejoin the others,” he said, though his tone lacked its usual firmness.

As they turned to head back inside, Elara couldn’t shake the feeling that tonight had changed something between them. She didn’t know what the future held or what their paths would look like, but as she walked beside Luca, the weight of her crown felt just a little lighter. She dared to hope that perhaps, just perhaps, they could find a way to navigate the shadows together—one step at a time