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Elara's footsteps faltered as she neared the staircase leading to her room, her thoughts consumed by the weight of her own troubles. However, before she could retreat into the solitude of her chambers, snippets of hushed conversation floated down from the hallway above, catching her attention.
Curiosity mingled with apprehension as Elara strained to discern the voices drifting from above. Among them, she recognized Lysander's commanding tone, his words laced with urgency.
"...trace the queen's guard," Lysander's voice carried a note of grim determination, sending a shiver down Elara's spine. "They're not far from here. We need to act swiftly to ensure the safety of everyone in this town."
Elara's breath caught in her throat at the gravity of Lysander's words, her heart pounding with a mix feeling. Suddenly, her own troubles seemed trivial in comparison to the looming threat that now encroached upon their doorstep.
As Elara strained to catch every word, her grip on the candles she held tightened unconsciously. In her moment of intense focus, her fingers slipped, and the candles clattered to the ground with a soft thud, the sound echoing through the hallway.
Instantly, the voices above fell silent, replaced by the sharp intake of breath from Lysander and his men. Elara's heart hammered in her chest as she realized her mistake, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.
"I heard something," one of the men whispered, his voice tense with apprehension. "Downstairs."
Elara cursed inwardly, berating herself for her clumsiness as she braced herself for the inevitable confrontation. With trembling hands, she reached for the fallen candles, her movements slow and deliberate as she rose to her feet.
Seconds stretched into eternity as Elara waited with bated breath, her senses heightened to the slightest sound. Then, footsteps echoed above, growing louder with each passing moment as Lysander and his men descended the staircase.
With a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, Elara prepared herself for the repercussions of her inadvertent eavesdropping.
Lysander's eyes widened in surprise as he laid eyes on Elara, his expression quickly morphing from shock to grim determination. Without a word, he gestured for her to follow him into his mini library, his steps purposeful as he led the way.
Once inside the dimly lit sanctuary of books, Lysander turned to face Elara, his gaze unwavering as he spoke. "Were you eavesdropping on our conversation?"
Elara's heart pounded in her chest as she met Lysander's gaze, her stomach churning with guilt. She swallowed hard, the weight of his scrutiny bearing down on her. "I... I didn't mean to," she stammered, her words coming out in a rush. "I was just... passing by and I overheard... I'm sorry."
Lysander's brows furrowed slightly as he regarded Elara, a flicker of suspicion dancing in his eyes. "Elara," he began, his voice tinged with a note of caution. "I hope you're being honest with me. If you have other motives for being here, for involving yourself in matters that don't concern you, I need to know."
Elara's heart sank at the gravity of Lysander's words, the weight of his suspicion pressing down on her like a heavy stone. She shook her head vehemently, her voice trembling with sincerity. "I swear," she insisted, her eyes pleading with him to believe her. "I have no ulterior motives."
Lysander's gaze softened slightly at her earnest plea, though the shadow of doubt still lingered in his eyes. "I want to believe you," he said quietly, his tone tinged with regret. "But I can't afford to take any chances. If you're not being truthful with me, if you're jeopardizing the safety of this town, I will have no choice but to turn my back on you."
Elara's breath caught in her throat at the severity of Lysander's warning, the reality of her predicament crashing down on her with crushing force.
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Elara's eyes fluttered open at the gentle tap on her shoulder, her senses instantly alert as she peered into the dimly lit room. Theodore stood before her, his expression serious and determined.
"Get ready," he urged in a hushed tone, his voice barely above a whisper. "We're heading out before dawn. Prince Cedric wants you to join the mission."
Elara's heart skipped a beat at Theodore's words, her mind racing with a whirlwind of emotions. The shock of Lysander's unexpected order sent a jolt of apprehension coursing through her veins, leaving her feeling woefully unprepared for the daunting task that lay ahead.
As she hastily began to ready herself for the mission, doubts gnawed at the edges of her mind. Was this Lysander's way of testing her loyalty?
A surge of anxiety washed over Elara as she grappled with the weight of Lysander's expectations. She was just a mere maid, ill-equipped for the challenges that awaited her beyond the safety of the town's walls. Yet, despite her doubts and fears, a flicker of determination ignited within her.
With trembling hands, Elara armed herself for the journey ahead, her movements fueled by a fierce resolve to prove herself to Lysander, to show him that she was capable of rising to the occasion, no matter the odds stacked against her.
As Elara donned the mask provided by Theodore, she couldn't shake the sense of unease that settled over her like a heavy cloak. The anonymity afforded by the mask offered a fleeting sense of security, yet beneath its facade, she felt a rising tide of apprehension.
Gathered at the town gates with the rest of Lysander's men, Elara cast a nervous glance around at the assembled group. The sight of armed men clad in dark cloaks sent a shiver down her spine, the gravity of their mission weighing heavily on her shoulders.
Lysander's authoritative voice cut through the air, commanding the attention of the men as he outlined the details of their plan. Elara strained to catch every word, her heart pounding in her chest as she absorbed the gravity of their task.
To her relief, Lysander's instructions spared her from the daunting prospect of mounting a horse. As the men divided into two groups, one by horse and the other by foot, Elara silently offered a word of thanks to whatever higher power might be listening.
Throughout the briefing, Lysander remained focused and stoic, his gaze sweeping over the assembled men with unwavering resolve. Elara couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment as she realized that she was but a small cog in the vast machinery of their operation, her presence barely acknowledged amidst the sea of faces.
Yet, despite the sting of Lysander's apparent indifference, Elara knew that she had a role to play in their mission. With determination burning bright in her heart, she squared her shoulders and prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead, ready to prove herself worthy of Lysander's trust.
YOU ARE READING
ROYAL BLOOD 👑
Historical Fiction"What in the world are you doing here?" His voice was stern, tinged with annoyance. "You should not have come. It's too dangerous." Elara stepped closer, her determination unwavering despite Lysander's disapproval. "I couldn't leave you here alone,"...
