Chapter 2: A Promising Future

The three days leading up to the summer solstice passed in a blur of secret smiles and hidden anticipation. Now, as twilight descended on the evening of the celebration, Elara stood before her mirror, remembering the weight of the silver circlet Kaelan had given her in the garden. Tonight, she would wear it before the entire court.

Clara worked diligently behind her, arranging her hair in intricate waves that would showcase the circlet perfectly. The deep purple of her gown caught the light of the setting sun streaming through her windows, making the fabric shimmer like wine.

"The great hall is absolutely transformed, my lady," Clara chatted as she worked, her nimble fingers weaving small pearls into Elara's dark hair. "They've brought in hundreds of crystal lanterns, and the flowers—oh, the flowers! The gardeners must have stripped every rosebush in the kingdom."

Elara smiled, touching the delicate silver chain at her throat—another gift from Kaelan, delivered that morning with a note that read simply, "For tonight." The past three days had been sweet torture, keeping their engagement private while watching the palace prepare for the celebration. Every time she passed Lady Marlowe in the corridors, the elderly noblewoman had given her such knowing looks that Elara had nearly burst with the desire to confirm her suspicions.

A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. Clara opened it to reveal Lord Aldrich, Kaelan's chief advisor, his formal robes immaculate as always.

"My lady," he bowed, "His Majesty asked if you would join him in the small audience chamber before the festivities begin. There are some matters he wishes to discuss."

Elara's heart fluttered. They hadn't planned this meeting, but perhaps Kaelan wanted to go over the details of their announcement one final time. "Of course," she replied, rising carefully to avoid wrinkling her gown. "Clara, the circlet, please."

Once the circlet was securely in place, Elara followed Lord Aldrich through the corridors. Already, she could hear the murmur of arriving guests in the distance, their voices mixing with the soft strains of musicians warming up their instruments.

The small audience chamber was Kaelan's favourite room for private meetings, its walls lined with books and comfortable chairs rather than the imposing decorations of the formal throne room. When she entered, she found him standing by the window, watching the last rays of sunlight fade from the sky. He turned at the sound of her entrance, and his face transformed with a smile that made her breath catch.

"You look absolutely radiant," he said, crossing the room to take her hands in his. He was resplendent in midnight blue and silver, his crown sitting perfectly upon his dark hair.

"Lord Aldrich said you wanted to discuss something?" she asked, squeezing his hands gently.

"I wanted a moment alone with you before everything begins," he admitted. "Once we make our announcement, you'll belong to the kingdom as much as to me. I wanted to steal these last few private minutes."

Elara reached up to touch his cheek. "I'll always belong to you first," she promised softly.

He turned his head to kiss her palm. "Are you ready for this? Once we tell them, everything changes."

"I've been ready since that morning in the garden," she replied with a smile. "Though I think Lady Marlowe might expire from satisfaction when she learns she was right all along."

Kaelan laughed, the sound warm and rich. "Then we'd better make it worth the wait." He offered his arm. "Shall we begin?"

They left the audience chamber together, making their way toward the great hall. The corridors were filled now with nobles in their finest attire, all of whom bowed or curtsied as they passed. The crystal lanterns Clara had mentioned cast rainbow prisms across the marble floors, and the scent of roses filled the air.

As they approached the great hall's entrance, the herald straightened, preparing to announce them. Kaelan paused, looking down at Elara with eyes full of love and promise.

"Ready?" he whispered.

Elara smiled up at him, her heart full to bursting. "Ready."

The herald's voice rang out clear and strong: "His Majesty, King Kaelan of Aeloria, and Lady Elara!"

Together, they stepped into the light of a thousand lanterns, ready to share their joy with the kingdom they both loved so dearly. The night of celebration—and the rest of their lives—was about to begin.

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