Love At First Sight (2)

Upon Matilda's return to the palace, the atmosphere was tense with concern. The entire royal family hovered around her, their faces etched with worry. Queen Phoebe adorned her daughter with magic stones to suppress her powers, wrapping each piece with a whispered prayer. Matilda, usually full of life, was subdued, her experience clouding her mind.

Elian, on the other hand, was not so fortunate. Guards escorted him to a secure room, ensuring his story matched that of the princess. Though he protested his innocence, the palace protocol required thorough scrutiny. He was locked up and questioned relentlessly, his every word examined for inconsistencies.

Throughout the week, the royal family did not leave Matilda's side. King Fabian himself stayed close, a rare occurrence that underscored the gravity of the situation. Cassian, ever the protective brother, watched over her with a hawk's vigilance, while Queen Phoebe hovered nearby, her eyes never straying far from her daughter.

After a week of heightened security and constant vigilance, the palace finally began to relax. King Fabian decided to hold a ball to thank Elian for protecting Matilda. The grand ballroom was adorned with opulent decorations, and the air was filled with the buzz of anticipation. Nobles from across the kingdom gathered, their curiosity piqued by the unusual circumstances.

As the ball commenced, King Fabian took to the stage, commanding the attention of the entire room. His voice, resonant and authoritative, echoed through the hall as he addressed the gathered crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here tonight to honor a brave young man. Elian, who saved my daughter, Princess Matilda, from grave danger."

Elian, standing to the side, looked both nervous and proud. The nobles watched him with a mix of curiosity and skepticism.

"His bravery and quick thinking have earned him not just our gratitude but also an opportunity," King Fabian continued. "Should he pass the upcoming Commoner Knightly Festival, he will be bestowed with the title Duke Alexander, ruling over the duchy that has lacked a leader for over twenty years."

Gasps of surprise and murmurs of discontent rippled through the crowd. The nobles were visibly shocked, and some did not bother to hide their dissatisfaction. The idea of a commoner ascending to such a high rank was unprecedented and unsettling to many.

"Your Majesty," one nobleman spoke up, his voice tinged with indignation, "surely, this is too great an honor for a mere commoner."

King Fabian's gaze was steely as he responded, "Elian's actions proved his worth. This kingdom values bravery and loyalty above all else. Any who question this decision question the values upon which our realm is built."

The nobleman fell silent, cowed by the king's unwavering resolve. The rest of the nobles, though still murmuring amongst themselves, dared not openly challenge the king.

The ball continued, but the atmosphere was charged with tension and speculation. Elian, now a figure of considerable interest, found himself the subject of many conversations. He stood tall, aware that his every move was being scrutinized.

As the night drew to a close, the weight of the king's words hung in the air. The festival that would determine Elian's fate loomed near, and the kingdom watched with bated breath.

******

The week before....

As night fell, Cassian and his party set up camp in a clearing within the dense forest. The flickering light of the campfire cast long shadows, creating a cocoon of warmth and security. Matilda lay restlessly in her tent, unable to sleep despite the fatigue. The forest, with its mysterious allure, seemed to call to her. She slipped out of her tent, careful not to wake anyone, and began to wander into the woods.

The night was cool, the air filled with the sounds of nocturnal creatures. Matilda found herself drawn deeper into the forest, her thoughts a whirlwind of recent events and unanswered questions. Suddenly, a rustling in the bushes made her stop. A large, gleaming eye appeared between the branches, followed by a massive, scaled head. She was face-to-face with a dragon.

The dragon's eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, time stood still. Panic surged through her, but before she could react, Elian burst through the undergrowth, his face pale with fear and determination.

"Matilda!" he cried, grabbing her arm. "We have to go, now!"

The dragon let out a deafening roar, and the two of them sprinted deeper into the forest, the dragon in hot pursuit. The ground trembled with each step the beast took, and Matilda's heart pounded in her chest. They stumbled over roots and ducked under low-hanging branches, but no matter how fast they ran, the dragon stayed close behind.

They burst into a wide clearing, only to find themselves at the edge of the dragon's nest. Huge, ancient trees surrounded the area, their branches like skeletal fingers reaching for the sky. The dragon landed heavily, blocking their escape. It bared its teeth, and Matilda could see the fiery glow deep within its throat.

"Elian, we're trapped!" Matilda gasped, clutching his arm.

Elian stepped in front of her, his face set with resolve. "Stay behind me," he commanded, though his voice trembled. As the dragon advanced, a strange light began to emanate from Elian. He raised his hands, and the light grew brighter, forming intricate patterns in the air.

The dragon paused, its head tilting in curiosity. The light from Elian enveloped the beast, and it let out a soft, rumbling growl. Matilda watched in awe as Elian's eyes glowed with an otherworldly power. He began to speak in a language she didn't understand, and the dragon's aggressive stance softened.

To her astonishment, the dragon lowered its head, and Elian stepped forward, placing his hand on its snout. The light pulsed once more, and then faded. The dragon looked at Elian with an almost reverent gaze and spoke in a deep, rumbling voice that resonated in their minds.

"You have awakened the ancient magic, human. The power to tame. I, Drakonis, offer to form a contract with you. You may summon me whenever you wish."

Elian, still dazed, nodded. "I accept," he replied, his voice steady. The dragon's form shimmered and then disappeared, leaving behind a faint glow that quickly dissipated.

Matilda and Elian stood in silence for a moment, trying to process what had just happened. Then, hearing the distant calls of Cassian and his knights, they hurried back towards the camp.

When they arrived, the camp was in chaos. Cassian was shouting orders, his face a mask of fear and anger. When he saw Matilda, he rushed over, pulling her into a tight embrace.

"Where have you been? I thought… I thought you were kidnapped!" he exclaimed, his voice breaking.

Matilda glanced at Elian, who stood quietly to the side. "I'm sorry, Cassian. I just went for a walk and got lost. Elian found me and brought me back. He didn't kidnap me."

Cassian eyed Elian suspiciously, but Matilda's firm gaze made him hesitate. "Alright. But you are not to wander off alone again, understood?"

"Yes, Cassian," Matilda replied, grateful that he didn't press further.

As they prepared to return to the palace, Matilda pulled Elian aside. "Thank you, Elian. For everything. I won't tell anyone about what happened tonight. I promise."

Elian nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Thank you, Princess. I'm glad you're safe."

With the camp finally calm, they resumed their journey back to the palace.