Everythings is Fin 23

ELARA’S POV

“Lady Elara,” the ambassador from Eastwind said, bowing deeply.

I offered a modest smile, as the ambassador nodded eagerly before another dignitary whisked him away. I exhaled slowly, scanning the crowded ballroom. Ornate chandeliers cast a golden glow over the gathering, highlighting jeweled gowns and polished medals on formal attire. The din of conversation nearly drowned out the string quartet in the corner.

And there, at the edge of my vision, stood Caden again. His eyes weren’t on me but fixed on Sebastian across the room, who was engaged in conversation with two elderly councilmen. Caden’s posture was rigid, his jaw tight, a guard dog watching a potential threat.

“He hasn’t stopped following you all evening,” a familiar voice said at my shoulder.

I turned, relief washing over me. “Dani!”

We embraced warmly, and I breathed in the comforting scent of cedar and parchment that always clung to him. The man I had known as father all my life, until recently looked dashing in formal attire, though I could tell by the slight loosening of his collar that he was as uncomfortable at these functions as I was.

“How long has he been hovering?” Dani asked, nodding subtly toward Caden.

“Since the moment I entered,” I sighed, accepting a glass of sparkling wine from a passing server. “It’s becoming rather tiresome.”

“Is he worried about Sebastian’s intentions, or staking his own claim?”

I rolled my eyes. “Both, I imagine. Though he has no right to the latter.”

Dani’s expression sobered.

“I’ve been meaning to ask—have the council issues been resolved? Can I return to Verdana soon?”

My heart lightened instantly. “Yes! The final communications arrived this morning. You might be in Verdana for another week, though.”

“What?” I exclaimed. “Two weeks now?”

“Sadly. But I’m glad you will have more time with your husband.”

I rolled my eyes as we moved toward a quieter alcove, away from the press of bodies and political maneuvering.

“And what of your situation?” Dani asked, his voice lowered. “Things with Caden—have they improved?”

I traced the rim of my glass, gathering my thoughts. “I’ve told him I forgive him. And I do, in principle.”

“But?”

“But forgetting is another matter entirely,” I said, unable to keep the edge from my voice. “For years, Dani. For years he watched while I was humiliated, sidelined, and undermined. He knew what was happening and did nothing.”

“He was in an impossible position,” Dani said carefully.

“We’re all in impossible positions sometimes,” I countered. “It’s what we do in those moments that defines us.”

Dani didn’t argue, just nodded thoughtfully. We stood in companionable silence for a moment, watching the dance of politics and power playing out before us.

“Sebastian seems quite taken with you,” he observed eventually.

I couldn’t help the slight flush that rose to my cheeks. “He’s been… attentive.”

“I noticed. Very publicly attentive.”

“He’s nothing like I expected,” I admitted. “There’s more depth to him than court gossip would suggest.”

“And Caden has noticed this attention,” Dani said, his tone neutral but his eyes questioning.

I sighed. “Caden believes he’s protecting me. He doesn’t trust Sebastian’s motives.”

“And you?”

“I’m… uncertain,” I said honestly. “Sebastian is charming, intelligent, and seems genuinely interested in my work. But there’s always the question of political advantage.”

“And if you had to choose?” Dani asked quietly. “Between them?”

I shrugged, watching the two men across the room—Caden intense and vigilant, Sebastian smooth and engaging.

“After another week of staying here will determine,” I said. “I need time to see beyond their public faces.”

A shadow fell across us, and I didn’t need to turn to know who it was. The subtle scent of sandalwood and leather announced Caden’s presence before his voice did.

“Lady Elara,” he said with formal politeness that did nothing to hide the tension underneath. “The Minister of Trade is asking after you.”

“We’ll continue later,” I promised, squeezing Dani’s arm before turning to Caden. “Lead the way.”

But instead of heading toward the cluster of trade officials, Caden steered me toward a side door, his hand firm but gentle at the small of my back.

“What are you doing?” I hissed once we’d exited the ballroom into a quiet corridor. “The Minister isn’t even looking this way.”

“We need to talk,” Caden said, his voice low and urgent. “Without an audience.”

The corridor was dimly lit with wall sconces casting long shadows. Portraits of stern-faced ancestors gazed down disapprovingly as Caden guided me into a small antechamber used for private discussions during political gatherings.

“This is highly inappropriate,” I said, maintaining distance between us as he closed the door.

“More inappropriate than spending the evening flirting with that Sebastian?” he asked, a bitter tone to his voice. I laughed.

“What else am I supposed to do then?” I threw my hands up in exasperation. “You ignored me for years, and now suddenly you’re my self-appointed protector?”

“I’m trying to make things right,” he said, stepping closer. “Tell me how. Tell me what I can do to earn your forgiveness.”

I sighed heavily, the fight draining out of me. “I’ve already told you, Caden. I forgive you. But trust has to be rebuilt. It doesn’t happen by following me around or warning me away from others.”

“But you don’t look at me the way you used to,” he said quietly.

The raw vulnerability in his voice caught me off guard. This wasn’t the confidence of the Prince of a royal family—this was the boy I’d grown up with, the young man who once knew me better than anyone.

“I’m not the same person I was,” I replied softly. “Neither are you.”

I turned to leave, suddenly needing air, space to think. But his hand caught mine, tugging me gently back.

“Elara.”

Just my name, nothing more, but the way he said it like a prayer, like a plea, made me pause. I looked up at him, at the face I’d once memorized in secret moments, and something shifted in my chest.

Before I could process what was happening, he closed the distance between us. His hand came up to cup my cheek, thumb brushing against my skin with unexpected tenderness. And then his lips were on mine, hesitant at first, then with growing certainty as I didn’t pull away.

For one breathless moment, I let myself remember—the comfort of familiarity, the history between us, the dreams I’d once harbored. My hands moved to his chest, feeling his heartbeat racing beneath my fingertips.

The sudden burst of cold air was our only warning as the door flew open, crashing against the wall with enough force to shake the nearby bookshelf.

We broke apart instantly, but too late. There in the doorway, expression shifting from shock to cold fury, stood Sebastian.