CHAPTER 19
Jun 9, 2025
ELARA’S POV
I woke with the phantom sensation of Caden’s mouth still pressed against mine, my fingers unconsciously touching my lips before I caught myself. The sun streamed through the curtains I’d forgotten to close, painting golden patterns across the empty side of the bed where he’d slept.
Where was he now? And more importantly, why did I care?
I pushed myself up, the silk sheets sliding against my skin, and noticed a tray on the small table by the window. Steam still rose from the porcelain teapot, surrounded by an array of pastries, fresh fruit, and my favorite honey bread. Someone had gone to considerable effort.
“Well, this is new,” I murmured to myself, reaching for the tea.
A note sat tucked beneath the saucer, written in a bold, slanted script I recognized immediately:
Perhaps we could start again. – C
I crumpled the note and tossed it aside. After months of neglect, he thought breakfast would smooth over everything? I had plans to meet with Father today at Dani’s, to discuss Verdana’s position now that my true identity was known. The last thing I needed was Caden’s sudden, convenient change of heart, complicating matters.
I mentally mapped out my morning: finish eating, take a bath, and head to Dani’s chambers without encountering any Verlorens if possible. The palace suddenly felt too small for all the emotions swirling through its corridors.
The door swung open without warning, and I nearly choked on my tea. Kaela, my tormentor for months, stood in the doorway. Her usual smirk was nowhere to be seen, replaced by something that resembled a smile? My stomach clenched.
“Good morning, Elara,” she said, her voice missing its customary venom. “I hope I’m not interrupting your breakfast.”
I set down my cup carefully. “Since when do you care about interrupting me?”
She winced, and the expression looked genuine enough to startle me. In her hands, she clutched an elegantly wrapped package tied with emerald ribbon—Verdana’s colors.
“I deserve that,” she admitted, stepping fully into the room. “I’ve been… well, there’s no nice way to say it. I’ve been horrible to you.”
“That’s putting it mildly,” I replied, reaching for my robe and wrapping it tightly around myself. “What do you want, Kaela?”
She approached cautiously, as if I might bite. Perhaps she thought I would, now that she knew I had teeth.
“I want to apologize,” she said, extending the package toward me. “And I brought you something. It’s not much, considering… everything. But it’s a start.”
I stared at the gift without taking it. “You think a present makes up for months of humiliation?”
“No,” she said quietly. “Nothing could. But I’m asking you to forgive me anyway. Not for my sake, but for our kingdoms. For Caden.”
I laughed, short and sharp. “Don’t bring your brother into this. He’s just as culpable as you are.”
“He’s an idiot,” she agreed, surprising me again. “But he’s suffering now. We all are. Mother hasn’t slept since we learned who you really are. The court is in chaos. And Caden—” She stopped abruptly.
“What about Caden?” I couldn’t help asking, hating the eagerness in my voice.
She placed the gift on the edge of the bed. “He ended the arrangement with Islode yesterday. It was quite the scene. Mother’s furious.”
My heart skipped traitorously. “That’s not my concern anymore.”
Kaela nodded, accepting my words at face value though I could see she didn’t believe them. “Well, I’ll leave you to your breakfast. The gift is yours whether you forgive me or not.” She walked to the door, then paused. “I truly am sorry, Elara. I wish we could start over.”
After she left, I stared at the package for a long time before curiosity won out. Inside was a beautifully bound collection of Verdanan poetry—rare editions I’d mentioned once in passing, months ago. She’d actually been listening.
I closed the book with a snap. I had no time for this, not Kaela’s sudden remorse, not Caden’s breakfast offering. I had a kingdom to think about.
I rang for bath water and was halfway through washing when a soft knock came at the door.
“Yes?” I called, sinking deeper into the perfumed water.
“Princess Elara,” came a servant’s voice, “Her Majesty is requesting a moment of your time.”
I nearly laughed. “Tell her I’m indisposed. I have an appointment with my father.”
“She says it’s urgent, Your Highness.”
Of course she did. Everything was urgent now that they knew who I was. “Very well. I’ll be out shortly.”
I took my time finishing my bath, partly out of spite and partly because I needed the extra moments to compose myself. When I finally emerged from my chambers, wrapped in a simple morning robe, I found the Queen pacing the corridor outside my door.
She froze when she saw me, her usual imperious demeanor replaced by something I’d never seen on her face before: embarrassment.
“Elara,” she said, then corrected herself, “Princess Elara.”
“Your Majesty,” I replied with a slight nod, not quite a proper curtsy but just respectful enough to avoid outright insult. “You wished to speak with me?”
She opened her mouth, then closed it again, her eyes darting to the guards stationed at the end of the hall. Whatever she’d planned to say, she seemed to think better of it.
“It can wait,” she said abruptly, her mask of composure slipping back into place. “You’re obviously busy.”
Before I could respond, she turned and walked away, her back straight and her head held high. The queen of Verloren, retreating from the guest she’d once treated as little more than a servant. How the tables had turned.
I shook my head and went back inside to get dressed. When Mercilla was done, I thanked her. “Thank you, Mercilla. For everything.”
“It’s my pleasure, Your Highness.”
With a deep breath, I headed for the door, only to collide directly with someone in the corridor.
“I beg your pardon,” I began automatically, then froze as I registered who stood before me.
It was Islode, and beside her, was the man who had kissed me with such desperation just last night, arm in arm.
