Chapter 47: Subtle Jealousy
The castle was quiet in the early morning, the soft light spilling over the stone walls. Elara walked through the gardens, her green hair glowing faintly in the sun. Today, she was to meet with envoys from a neighboring kingdom—an ordinary task for a queen—but she felt a sense of unease.
Araion appeared at her side, as he often did, his armor polished and his expression calm. "Are you ready?" he asked, his voice steady, though a subtle tension lingered beneath it.
Elara nodded. "Yes. Let's meet them." She had learned to trust her instincts, but something about the way Araion looked at her today made her pause. There was a flicker in his gaze she had not seen before—a quiet, unspoken emotion.
As they entered the meeting hall, the envoys bowed, presenting gifts and formal greetings. Elara greeted them with poise and warmth, her green eyes attentive, her words courteous. Araion stood slightly behind her, silent and observant.
At first, everything seemed normal. The envoys spoke of trade, alliances, and matters of diplomacy. Elara responded clearly, showing intelligence and skill that impressed everyone present. Araion, as usual, noted her every move, ready to intervene if needed.
But as one of the envoys—Lord Veylan, a handsome and charismatic young man—smiled at her and offered a clever suggestion, Araion's jaw tightened ever so slightly. His hand moved subtly toward his sword, though he did not draw it.
Elara noticed the tension in him, subtle but real. She looked at him quietly, wondering what caused the flicker of unease.
The meeting continued smoothly, yet Araion's eyes followed every gesture of Lord Veylan. He was polite, restrained, and courteous as always, but there was a slight stiffness in his posture, a quiet watchfulness that went beyond concern for protocol.
Elara tilted her head slightly. She had trained under Araion for months and knew his usual demeanor. He was calm, collected, and almost unshakable. But today… something was different. Something felt… personal.
She decided to observe quietly. Whenever Lord Veylan spoke or smiled, Araion's gaze shifted—just for a moment, just enough that she could sense a subtle change in his emotions. It was not anger, nor fear, nor usual caution. It was something else. Something she had never seen before.
After the envoys left, Araion followed Elara into the garden. The morning sun was warm, and the air smelled of blooming flowers. Elara turned to him.
"You seemed… tense back there," she said softly. "Was something wrong?"
Araion stiffened slightly, then relaxed. "Nothing is wrong," he said, though his voice betrayed a hint of something deeper. "I simply observe, as always. My concern is for your safety, and for the kingdom."
Elara studied him carefully. "I understand that," she said gently. "But there was more. I could see it in your eyes. You… reacted differently when Lord Veylan spoke to me. Why?"
Araion looked away, his jaw tight. "It is… nothing," he muttered. He hated how his emotions betrayed him, even subtly. "A queen must face nobles and envoys. It is normal to be cautious."
Elara smiled faintly, sensing his attempt to hide the truth. "I think there was more than caution," she said. "You… seemed jealous. Is that it?"
Araion froze, his eyes meeting hers briefly before looking away. He could not lie—not to her. Not with the honesty she inspired in everyone around her.
"You noticed," he said quietly, his voice low. "Perhaps I did feel… a flicker of something."
Elara's heart skipped a beat. She had seen soldiers, citizens, and nobles admire her courage and power. But she had never considered that Araion—stoic, disciplined, and almost untouchable—could feel something more personal.
"Jealousy," she repeated softly, trying the word aloud. "I… I didn't think you could feel that way. You are the immortal king, strong and untouchable."
Araion's expression softened, a faint vulnerability showing. "I am many things, Elara," he admitted. "But even I cannot ignore the way my emotions respond to certain… situations. You have grown powerful, intelligent, and courageous. People notice you—others admire you—and it… affects me. I do not like the idea of anyone distracting you or undermining your focus."
Elara's green eyes widened slightly. She had trained under him, shared her victories and fears, but she had not seen this side of him. "So… it's not just caution for the kingdom?" she asked softly.
Araion shook his head. "No," he said honestly. "It is more. A small… jealousy, perhaps. A desire to protect you not just as a queen, but… personally."
Elara paused, thinking carefully. She had always seen Araion as a mentor, a guide, and a protector. But now she realized that his feelings were deeper, more personal than she had suspected. It stirred something in her—a new awareness of his emotions and the bond they shared.
"Thank you for being honest," she said quietly. "I… I understand. And I want you to know that I notice, and I appreciate your care. I… respect it."
Araion's eyes softened, though a faint tension remained. "That is all I ask," he said. "I do not wish to complicate your duties or distract you from your role. But I cannot deny my feelings completely. They are subtle, yes—but real."
Elara nodded, feeling a quiet warmth spread through her chest. She had sensed his admiration, his loyalty, and now… his subtle jealousy. It was strange, unexpected, and yet somehow comforting.
The following days, she began to notice more signs. Araion would linger near her during council meetings, his gaze flicking briefly toward anyone who seemed too forward or flattering. When she spoke to other nobles or envoys, his posture would stiffen slightly, though he never interfered.
She realized that this quiet jealousy did not make him controlling or harsh—it made him attentive, protective, and even more invested in her growth and safety. It was a new layer to their relationship, one she had not expected but began to understand.
Elara smiled faintly to herself. The immortal king, so powerful and composed, could feel vulnerability—albeit subtle—and it was directed toward her. It made her feel valued, respected, and even more determined to lead wisely and bravely.
One evening, as the sun set behind the castle towers, Elara found Araion in the training yard. He was observing soldiers as they practiced formations, but his eyes flicked to her as she approached.
"You have noticed," he said quietly, without looking away from the training ground.
"I have," she replied softly. "Your feelings are subtle, but I see them. Your jealousy… it is not overwhelming, not controlling. It is just… part of you. And I… I respect it. I respect your honesty, and I understand your concern."
Araion finally turned to her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I am glad," he said. "I did not want it to interfere with your judgment or your growth. But I cannot deny it completely. You are remarkable, Elara, and it is natural for me to… care."
Elara's heart warmed. She realized that the bond between them was growing, deepening in ways beyond power, magic, or leadership. His subtle jealousy was a sign of his investment in her—not just as a queen, but as a person.
Over the following weeks, Elara found herself observing Araion more carefully. She noticed the small ways he showed attention—how his eyes flicked toward potential threats, how he lingered near her during important decisions, and how he subtly guided her without speaking too much.
She also began to feel a quiet, growing connection. His feelings, though subtle, were a part of the trust and loyalty they had already built. She realized that power, courage, and respect could be shared with someone who understood her, admired her, and quietly… cared deeply.
Araion, meanwhile, continued to hide his jealousy in public, though Elara now recognized it. It was no longer a mystery—just another layer of their growing bond, an emotion that added depth to their partnership, and a quiet reminder that even the immortal king was human in ways she had never imagined.
By the end of the month, the kingdom was unaware of the personal nuances between them, but Elara and Araion both knew. They were learning to navigate not only politics and power but the subtle, unspoken emotions that connected them more deeply than ever before.
And in that quiet understanding, a new trust and closeness blossomed—one that would continue to grow as the kingdom faced greater challenges and the stakes became higher.