13 Chapter Thirteen

Evening came by so soon and Elara made sure she attended to Lady Celestia needs till they were done . She prayed silently that Lady Celestia wouldn't recognize her as she would be the first since she was her made and didn't want to leave a bad impression or get demoted. It would be a disgrace as the next thing that would be said was that she was trying to throw herself at a prince and the worst of all , a prince who everyone knew dreaded women that threw themselves at him l she made heads turn to look in her direction.She put on a black veil, which she put on. Her footsteps were soft on the ground, and she kept her head held high. She had to act as a wealthy woman, and there was no room for error.

Elara looked over to where Lucius stood . He was wearing a black shirt with pants.Lucius turned, and his eyes fell on Elara.

Elara offered a slight bow, "Prince Lucius."

"Miss Lara," Lucius acknowledged her, as he trailed his eyes over here before they started to walk.

"Where are we going?" Elara asked.

"The garden. Everyone is gathered there and also i didn't see you this morning for breakfast."

Elara softly gulped at the question. She had hoped no one would notice her absence, but it was inevitable.

" I ate in my room"Elara replied. That was a the truth. Elara did eat it her room but she was also present at the dinner table just as Lady Celestia's maid not who she is pretending to be.

"I have a lot of questions to ask you but you seem like someone who won't let out too much, so I won't bother " Lucius said with his eyes fixed at where he was going.

As they made their way towards the garden, Elara subtly turned to look at Lucius sharp and strong features because of the statement he made.

" Aren't you the same ?" Elara asked which caused him to turn.

"We are all weary of people. Just because we danced that doesn't mean you wouldn't hesitate to kill me if you see me as an enemy" Elara said.

His words were cut short by his sister Princess Leia.

Lady Leia is the daughter of Queen Sophia. She is one of the siblings that loves Lucius.

" Hello, Lady Lara it's nice to meet you. Sorry for not introducing myself to you earlier " Leia said with a small bow.

" It's fine Lady Leia. I should have reached out to you too" Elara responded with a small bow too.

Lady Claire looked over to where Elara stood seething. She wondered what Lucius saw in Elara and how Elara could be compared to her.

"Brother Lucius , we are going to take a ride on the horses.Would you like to join us?"

"Sure," Lucius answered.Elara looked over at Lucius in surprise. She hadn't agreed to this. Yes she knew how to ride a horse but as a wealthy woman she had to pretend. She didn't know if any of them knew how to ride one.

Elara smiled at that idea of riding horses. It reminded her of when she used to ride horses with her siblings, Eamon and Nina.

She then realized how much she missed and how she had no time to leave the palace these few weeks.

While they waited for the horses to be brought to where they stood.

"Prince Lucius, I have never ridden a horse before ."

"I will be accompanying you. It won't make any sense if you rode on another horse.And besides you said you couldn't ride a horse "

Lady Claire got on a horse first and rode it towards where Lucius stood, yearning for his attention, feigned a stumble . She hoped that Lucius would have caught her but instead it was Prince Aiden that extended his hand and grabbed her.

" Careful" he said as he grabbed her and she adjusted herself on her horse. And gave Prince Aiden a small bow and mouthed thank you before riding off.

Meanwhile, on horseback, Prince Lucius rode with Elara , the gentle breeze playing with her hair and she tried adjusting it thinking she was making Lucius uncomfortable which made Lucius grab her hand.

As the ride continued , the horse suddenly spooked, causing her to sway dangerously. Lucius grabbed her swiftly, securing her in his arms and , he adjusted her position on the saddle, ensuring her safety.

Elara felt the prince's firm but gentle touch, a rush of warmth swept over her. She looked up into his eyes, and looked away almost immediately.

" Thank you, Prince Lucius"

" It's nothing"

As Prince Alexander and Lady Eleanor rode towards the enchanting meadow, the path unfolded beneath the hooves of their horses, a tapestry of emerald green grass stretching out before them. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers that painted the landscape in a kaleidoscope of colors, creating a visual symphony that mirrored the vibrant hues of the princess's gown and the prince's regal attire.

Above, the sky was adorned with fluffy clouds that sailed lazily in the gentle breeze. The melodious chirping of birds provided a natural soundtrack, harmonizing with the rhythmic hoofbeats of the horses. Hidden within the foliage, butterflies fluttered from one radiant blossom to another, adding a delicate dance to the scene.

As they approached the meadow, a gentle incline revealed a breathtaking panorama. The meadow unfolded like a sea of wildflowers, each petal catching the warm sunlight. Tall grasses swayed gracefully.

Elara loved what she saw and she was surprised that there was a place like this close to the palace. A pristine lake nestled at the heart of the landscape. The path led them to the water's edge, where the deep blue of the lake mirrored the sky.

Tall willows stood along the lakeshore, their branches gracefully dipping into the water, creating playful ripples. Dragonflies darted above the surface, casting fleeting shadows on the glistening waves. Lilly pads adorned the lake, showcasing delicate blossoms that seemed to float like watercolor paintings on the calm, reflective surface.

The air around the lake carried a refreshing coolness. Wildflowers dotted the banks, their vibrant petals adding a burst of color to the scene. Birds, drawn to the water's edge, sang sweet melodies, their notes blending harmoniously with the gentle lapping of the lake against the shore.

Lucius found himself captivated by the beauty of this place. It always did. Everything about this place was calm and peaceful.The horses slowed to a comfortable pace and Lucius made it come to a stop. He assisted Elara to get down and she walked immediately to the shore and dipped her hands inside the water.

"I didn't know this kind of place existed close to the palace. It's so beautiful ," Elara remarked when Lucius stood beside as her eyes fell on an arched bridge.

"Which part of the city did you visit?" Lucius asked her.

"The Merchant Bazaar…Forgewind"

A small chuckle escaped from Lucius lips, and he replied, "This part of the city is called Sylvan. I am surprised that you chose to visit the Forgewind. Most of the women from the palace or similar place don't step foot there. That's where war weapons are forged" . He thought for a moment why a wealthy woman would go to a place like that and wondered what more was left to know about her.

"I was curious. I heard so much about it," Elara replied, looking at the peaceful, and quieter posh surroundings. Her dad worked there. He was a merchant and also produced one to the best weapons. Elara hadn't thought about it, but would he ever find out that she was the girl behind the veil as at some point, weaposn would be purchased.

She stared at the landscape could tell that this place was often visited by the well-known ministers and other wealthy families.

Lucius said, "There are many places in Eldoria that you might find far more interesting than the Merchant Bazaar."

She knew that. The only place she had not visited was the royal quarters. It was home to royal family members and wealthy people. When she was a lowly maid she never had a chance to get there and wondered how that part of the city would look like.

When the wind blew, Elara moved her hair over one side of her shoulder and held it so it wouldn't come to fall on Lucius's face. But her action only led to Lucius's eyes falling on her slender, soft neck. He said,

"It seems like you are well acquainted with Lady Celestia."

Elara visibly stiffened

"I am?" Elara asked in question.

"You smell a little like the perfume she uses." Lucius's words sounded nonchalant.

She probably smelled like that because she helped Lady Celestia make her bath today. Elara wondered why she never saw Lady Celestia around in the recent events that happened in the palace and wondered why she avoided them.

The other guests who had accompanied them, couldn't help but look at them in envy. While the men wished they had asked Elara first before Prince Lucius eyes had fallen on her, the women wished they were sitting with the prince.

After spending time in the meadows , they returned to the palace. After sunset, everyone gathered in the wide room, sitting on the couches and chairs. When the Mother Queen's eyes fell on Elara, she immediately called her to come and sit beside her. The Mother Queen said,

"It is a shame that we couldn't spend time together today, but there was nothing we could do, as you and Lucius wanted to spend some time getting to know each other. I hope you two spent it well," the old woman raised her eyebrows.

So that was how Lucius had been able to get the Mother Queen not to spend time with her. Elara replied with a smile, "We visited Sylvan."

"That's good to hear," the Mother Queen looked pleased.

On the other hand, Princess Gaia leaned towards her mother, with a slight glare and in a hushed voice said,

"Isn't Grandmother getting too far ahead of herself with this woman? She's never had any of us sit there next to her before. And no one knows who she is "

Lady Marina raised her hand near her nose and rubbed it before she said, "She wants Lucius married, considering how he might die in the upcoming war."

Princess Gaia wanted her brother Kylo to sit on the throne next,while even though Aiden was interested in the throne, she believed her brother Kylo was far more suited to be the next King.