After the incident at the palace, I chose to limit my social interactions, retreating into the castle and isolating myself from society. The fortress stood near the border, where a rocky formation marked the line between our empire, Aldain, and the enemy kingdoms. To the untrained eye, the region might seem perilous, yet I felt no threat, for the castle was under Elladan's unwavering protection — Elladan, also known as the God of War.
He, whose presence preceded the empire itself, would likely live to witness its eventual destruction. With his name guarding our lands, no kingdom would dare challenge us. Yet, when I recalled his people and the way they secretly condemned him, a deep revulsion stirred within me.
Time passed swiftly, turning days into years, and years into eras. The structure that had once sheltered me began to feel oppressive. Then Elladan, gentle as always, noticed my longing to explore the world beyond and created a passage from my chambers to the outside. The new opening brought fresh air and sunlight into my space — a small gesture, yet enough to grant me the comfort I needed.
Soon, I ventured into the rocky labyrinth, whose legends declared it impassable. On some nights, Elladan had to rescue me, for I was still unfamiliar with the paths. Somehow, he always found me and guided me home. As I learned each twist and turn, his worries faded — until one day, he simply stopped caring.
Following the right paths through the rocks led to the beginning of the sea. What captivated me most were the tranquil waters, whose aura suggested that everything had a purpose. I slipped off my shoes and let the sand embrace my feet, feeling weightless.
Breathing had never felt so easy. The expanse of blue before me inspired my thoughts to wander. There, in the endless horizon, I was free to be my truest self — unburdened by expectations. My mind, so small, could never grasp the meaning of my existence, yet there must be one. Believing this, even for a fleeting moment, brought peace.
In that very place, I formed an unexpected friendship: Leonidas Demetrio, a daring adventurer and, by chance, the fifth prince of a troubled kingdom. His mind bubbled with revolutionary ideas for trade, requiring an alliance with our empire to succeed.
For some reason, this prince seemed completely mistaken about me.
"The people speak nothing else," he said, indignation in his tone. "It's outrageous what they say about you."
"They are not wrong," I replied calmly, eyes fixed on the ocean. "I am exactly what they say."
"That's not true!" he insisted, turning toward me. "They don't know you. You are kind, cheerful, and—"
While he described everything I was not, my thoughts drifted. We may have shared some similarities, but I knew I could never be like her.
"I know someone exactly like that," I said without emotion. "I think you would like to meet her."
Whatever feelings Leonidas had for me would fade in the presence of reality. The qualities he admired belonged to Aldara, not me. I had never smiled with genuine happiness, nor performed an act of kindness without selfish motives.
Still, Leonidas saw only what he wished to see through me. Yet I enjoyed our conversations and allowed him to linger in his illusion, refraining from correcting him.
As we parted at sunset, I walked back at leisure, lost in thought. Gradually, the light guiding my path faded. Upon reaching the balcony and entering my chambers, I was startled to see Elladan's silhouette in the darkness.
A dangerous aura radiated from his eyes, like a predator fixing its gaze on prey. Suddenly, fear surged through me, coursing like a potent venom.
When his body collided with mine, my mind clouded with a dark fog, leaving me unable to think clearly. His fist struck the wall beside my face, shaking the structure. His once-dark eyes now shimmered an ethereal blue, revealing what his lips would not.
No words were exchanged. Fiercely, he claimed me, making it clear I would belong to no one but him. As I rested in his arms, memories of my first years in Aldain returned.
"What does it mean?" I asked, curious, about the object that never left his neck.
Back then, we had been good friends, speaking about everything. Elladan had murmured casually that the stone was magical and would glow whenever its master felt something akin to affection.
How kind he had been back then, I thought.But if he had ever truly felt joy, the stone would have glowed. Yet with me by his side, it never did.
The certainty struck me harder than ever. Elladan would never love me.
No matter how hard I tried… even after bearing his only child, he would not hesitate to turn away. After that night, he never looked at me as a man looks at his wife. And by dawn, I was left alone and utterly exhausted.