Elena's chamber was silent, except for the faint whisper of the night. She lay awake, her gaze fixed on the carved ceiling beams. The flicker of light created shifting shadows across the gilded patterns, and her eyes were wide open, as if sleep had completely abandoned her.
It had been a few days since she and Aiden had married, yet they slept apart every night. Aiden's quarters were just down the corridor, but he had not once come to hers since she had arrived.
She had thought that after the ball, during which he officially introduced her to his people, they would share a bed. She didn't believe he was that much of a gentleman, especially since he had made advances toward her earlier. He had not seemed like a man overly concerned with boundaries or propriety. So why this sudden restraint? She couldn't understand why he was keeping his distance.
If Aiden had decided to marry her and keep her with him for political reasons, then he should have taken her to bed already. Or perhaps there was something he didn't want her to see if they spent the night together.
She wasn't complaining, though. Having her chamber meant she could breathe without the constant pressure of his presence. Privacy was a luxury in this place. Still, the uncertainty of what lay ahead gnawed at her, and her mind kept circling back to the hairpin.
She had stored it in a velvet pouch inside her jewellery box. For some reason, she didn't tell anyone about it. The owner had dropped it and vanished, which only made it more suspicious.
There was something about the hairpin that she couldn't shake. Perhaps it was the way the owner's departure had been too swift or the faint chill she had felt when she touched it. She decided it was best to keep it from Aiden as well.
Confronting him about it felt… dangerous. She thought it better not to tell him, at least not yet.
The next morning, a fine mist hung over the castle grounds, blurring the view from Elena's balcony. She sat alone at the long dining table, her spoon idly swirling in her tea. Aiden was not in the dining hall, so she had breakfast by herself.
After a while, one of the footmen mentioned that the king had been called to a meeting in the council chamber.
Back in her chamber, Elena paced the rug, her mind in turmoil. She felt restless after receiving her brother's letter and wanted to write back to him. However, she worried about how to send it without Aiden finding out. She needed to ensure he didn't act recklessly again. At the very least, she wanted to reassure him that she was fine and that she would figure out her escape later.
Finally, she called for Nyla.
The maid entered quietly, balancing a tray in her hands. She set it down, curtsied, and looked up expectantly.
"I need your help," Elena said, lowering her voice. "And please, make sure no one finds out."
Nyla's brows lifted slightly, but she nodded without hesitation. "Of course, Your Majesty. What do you need me to do?"
"This letter has to reach Aurelia."
Nyla's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. "I understand. You can trust me."
"I'm serious, Nyla. If this is discovered…"
"It won't be," Nyla interrupted gently. "I have… ways. Leave it to me."
Elena sat at her desk, her hand trembling slightly as she dipped the quill into the ink. She began to write:
My dear brother,
I promised to write back as soon as I arrived, and here I am. I am safe. Please, I beg you, do not act recklessly. Do not provoke the king. I'm not hurt, and he has treated me kindly. The people here are nice, too, so I'm adjusting well.
I will explain everything when I have the opportunity.
Your sister,
Elena.
She read the letter twice and decided to keep her response brief. After folding the parchment neatly, she sealed it with wax and pressed it into Nyla's waiting palm.
"When will it leave?" Elena asked.
"Tonight. I'll place it where it needs to be," Nyla replied, steadying her tone.
Elena smiled and nodded gently as Nyla left, handing over the letter with hopes that she could trust her.
The rest of the day felt empty and stretched on endlessly. With Aiden absent, the great halls seemed cavernous and hollow. She could not shake the feeling that the castle itself was listening.
By mid-afternoon, she decided she could no longer bear the confines of her chamber. She summoned Damien.
He arrived promptly, standing before her with a straight posture, his gaze sharp and assessing. "Your Majesty," he said, bowing.
"I'd like to see more of the castle," she told him. "His Majesty showed me only a few parts."
He hesitated just enough for her to notice. "Of course," he said finally. "If His Highness permits..."
"I'm certain he wouldn't object," she interrupted smoothly. "You're here to ensure my safety, aren't you?"
His jaw tightened, but he nodded. "Very well. But you must stay within my sight at all times."
As they walked through the west wing, Elena took in the details she had missed before, paying close attention to her surroundings. She could perceive the faint smell of old books from the library as they passed, and noticed how the sunlight caught on the edges of the stained-glass windows, scattering shards of ruby and sapphire light across the stone floor.
Damien walked a step ahead, scanning each corridor with practised precision. He moved steadily and wasn't particularly talkative, which reminded her, in an odd way, of her brother's most loyal guards back in Aurelia.
They passed a locked door at the end of a dim corridor, and Elena's gaze lingered. "What's in there?" she asked.
"Storage," Damien answered quickly.
She arched a brow but said nothing.
As they continued, she wondered if she could ever get used to this place. They walked past many large locked doors, and she couldn't help but ask herself if anyone had used those rooms in years.