Elara Astoria

Saga of the Divine Swordsman was my favorite webnovel, chronicling the life of Lucifer Windward in a fantastical world that was both unique and yet familiar in its themes. 

The Divine Swordsman in the title was Lucifer himself, wielding the powerful Gifts of God's Eyes and Yin-Yang Body. He was exceptionally attractive, and before long, he had a harem of devoted girls who loved him wholeheartedly.

In the novel, five girls formed the core of his harem: Seraphina Zenith, Cecilia Slatemark, Rachel Creighton, Liora Arundel, and Naomi Draven, with the latter two joining when Lucifer saved them from Jack. 

But out of all the characters, the one I adored the most was Elara Astoria.

Elara was the purest soul in the entire story, even more so than Rachel, who was known as the Saintess. Her soft brown hair may have seemed ordinary, but it had an unexplainable allure that drew everyone's attention. Her warm lavender eyes, paired with her gentle smile, could melt even the coldest hearts. She was truly a lovely character.

And that was why I despised her fate in the story.

Elara died because her father, Archduke Astoria, killed the Crown Prince of the Slatemark Empire after discovering the abuse his daughter had suffered at his hands. 

Elara was kind, but her kindness often crossed into naivety. She allowed herself to be abused by the Crown Prince, not wanting to burden her father or cause trouble. She was manipulated, toyed with, and eventually broken by him, her spirit shattered by the time Volume 5 arrived.

It was a tragic end for someone so pure, a story arc that left a bitter taste long after I had finished reading.

But this time, it won't happen.

I'll do everything in my power to make sure of it.

Of course, saying it was far easier than actually doing it. After all, lèse-majesté still existed, and I didn't have nearly enough strength or authority to interfere in an engagement between the Crown Prince and Elara Astoria.

Simply put, I was still far too weak.

To influence the Slatemark Empire to the extent needed, I would need to at least reach Immortal-rank and gain the kind of influence that a Marquis, if not a Duke, possessed. It was a distant goal, but one I was determined to achieve.

The civil war was set to occur in the year 2055, which meant I had eight years to prevent it.

The engagement between Elara and the Crown Prince would be announced after her graduation from Slatemark Academy, which was in 2051, with the abuse beginning just a few months after.

The goal seemed so distant, so far beyond my current capabilities, that it was hard to even think of how to begin. I needed to strengthen myself, gather influence, and become someone who could truly make a difference. For now, all I could do was take one step at a time, slowly working toward the power needed to protect her.

I pushed those heavy thoughts aside for now. This wasn't the time for planning grand strategies or lamenting my current shortcomings. Right now, we were in the middle of a celebration, surrounded by my friends and those who could one day become allies or rivals.

As our conversation continued, I noticed Cecilia moving closer to our group, joining in seamlessly. Her presence always brought a certain warmth, her demeanor relaxed as she exchanged jokes with Rachel and Seraphina. Jack and Lucifer, meanwhile, were deep in conversation, their tones almost polite but with an unmistakable undercurrent of rivalry.

Rose was standing close by, chatting with Luke and Jin. I could see her smiling more openly now, and it was a relief to see her becoming more comfortable around everyone again. I wanted her to know that nothing had changed between us—we were still friends, and her place in the group was as important as ever.

Eventually, Elara approached, her soft lavender eyes locking onto our group with a shy smile. She moved gracefully, her demeanor almost hesitant, as if unsure whether she should interrupt.

Rachel was the first to notice her, waving her over with a bright smile. "Elara! Come join us," she called out, her voice warm.

Elara's smile widened as she stepped closer. "Thank you, Rachel," she said softly, her gaze flicking over the group. "I wasn't sure if I should..."

"Nonsense," Seraphina said, her tone gentle. "You're more than welcome here, Elara."

Lucifer, who had been speaking with Jack, gave her a nod of acknowledgment. Jack, however, merely gave her a brief glance before turning back to his conversation. I couldn't help but notice the way he seemed to ignore her, his usual arrogance more apparent than ever.

I moved slightly, making room for Elara, and she stood beside me, her smile growing a little more confident. "Thank you, Arthur," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"Anytime," I replied, giving her a reassuring smile. I wanted her to feel comfortable, to know she had people here who would support her.

For the rest of the evening, we mingled, sharing laughter and stories as the festivities continued. The music played softly in the background, the grandeur of the event slowly fading into a more relaxed atmosphere as people moved from group to group. For now, at least, everything felt peaceful.

As I stood among my friends, I couldn't help but think of what lay ahead—the challenges, the battles, the changes that would come in the years to follow. But here, in this moment, surrounded by those I cared about, I allowed myself to feel a flicker of hope.

Perhaps, with enough time, I could change their fates.

The music shifted, the gentle melodies giving way to a more structured, rhythmic tune. It was the unmistakable signal for the start of the evening's dances, and a hush fell over the hall as everyone's attention turned to the center. The first dance of the night was about to begin, and all eyes were on the raised platform where the Imperial Family sat.

Emperor Quinn stood, raising his hand for silence, and the hall fell completely quiet. He gave a nod to Cecilia, who gracefully rose from her seat. There was an unspoken expectation that Cecilia, the princess of the Slatemark Empire, would lead the first dance. It was an honor, a tradition, and one that carried significant meaning.

Cecilia stepped forward, her gown flowing elegantly as she descended the steps, her eyes scanning the crowd. There was an air of anticipation—everyone wondering who the princess would choose for this prestigious dance.

Then, to everyone's shock, her gaze landed on me.

"Arthur Nightingale," she called, her voice clear and carrying throughout the hall. "Would you honor me with the first dance?"

The words hung in the air, and for a moment, there was nothing but stunned silence. I could feel every gaze in the room snap to me, the weight of their attention almost tangible. Even my friends around me seemed frozen, their expressions a mix of disbelief and surprise.

Lucifer raised an eyebrow, clearly caught off guard, while Rachel looked between Cecilia and me, her eyes widening slightly. Rose had her mouth slightly open, and Jin blinked in confusion, as if trying to process what was happening.

I stood there, trying to keep my composure as I processed what she'd just said. It wasn't that I didn't want to dance with her—more that I was unprepared for such a public display. But I couldn't refuse, not without causing a scene. I took a deep breath and stepped forward, my expression calm as I met Cecilia's gaze.

"It would be my honor, Your Highness," I said, inclining my head.

Cecilia's lips curled into a smile, her eyes warm as she held out her hand. I took it, and she led me to the center of the hall. The crowd parted for us, a wave of whispers spreading like wildfire. I could feel the eyes of the nobility, the curious stares of those trying to decipher the meaning behind Cecilia's choice.

As we reached the center, the music shifted again, taking on a more melodic and sweeping rhythm. I placed one hand gently on Cecilia's waist, and she rested hers on my shoulder, our other hands still clasped. There was a moment of stillness, and then we began to move, stepping into the dance.

Cecilia moved with a natural grace, her steps smooth and confident, guiding me effortlessly across the floor. Her eyes met mine, and for a moment, the world around us seemed to fade.

"You look surprised, Arthur," she said softly, her voice barely audible over the music.

"How could I not be?" I replied, keeping my tone light, though I was acutely aware of every stare fixed on us. "I didn't expect you to choose me for the first dance."

She smiled, her eyes softening. "I wanted to. I knew it would be unexpected, but... I felt it was right. Because I want your eyes on me and only me."