Cracks in the mask

_
[Morning - Council Chamber]
The room is wide and bright, with tall windows letting in pale daylight. A huge oval table sits in the middle, covered with scrolls, maps, and ink pots. The King sits at the far end, advisors and generals gathered around. Kael is seated on the King’s right. Elara is… supposed to be silent. She is not.
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Advisor 1
Advisor 1
We suggest raising taxes in the southern lands to fund the border patrols.
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
And starve the farmers? Excellent plan. Shall we sell their children next?
The room goes very still. Several advisors exchange uneasy looks. The King’s eyes narrow.
king Aldric veyron
king Aldric veyron
Princess, you are here to observe, not to-
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
To sit quietly while you make foolish decisions? My apologies, Your Majesty, but I was told my marriage was to ‘unite the kingdoms.’ I assumed that meant I could speak when your policies crush mine.”
Kael shifts slightly in his chair, his jaw tightening. Across the table, Seris hides a small smile.
Seris Valenne(lover of ml)
Seris Valenne(lover of ml)
Your concern is touching, Princess. But perhaps these matters are… too complex for someone new to court.
Seris Valenne(lover of ml)
Seris Valenne(lover of ml)
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👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
*sweetly* Oh, I’m sure I’ll understand if you explain them slowly enough.
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
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A few stifled coughs...half trying to hide laughter, half trying to avoid trouble.
king Aldric veyron
king Aldric veyron
ENOUGH!! This discussion is over.
Seris lowers her gaze, but her eyes flick toward Elara with quiet satisfaction. The seed is planted- Elara has been painted as hot-tempered and disrespectful in front of the court.
Seris Valenne(lover of ml)
Seris Valenne(lover of ml)
pft..
_
[Evening- Castle Banquet Hall]
The long tables glitter with silverware and crystal. Candlelight dances over platters of roasted meats and jewel-like fruits. Courtiers laugh softly, music drifting through the air.
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Elara sits beside Kael, idly turning her wine cup, her mind replaying the council meeting. She catches Seris across the room, speaking with nobles.
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
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Seris Valenne(lover of ml)
Seris Valenne(lover of ml)
“…It’s a pity our new princess has little patience for court etiquette. But she’s young. Perhaps she’ll learn.”
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
*Elara’s grip tightens on her cup. Marea, standing behind her, leans down slightly*
lady maera(maid of fl)
lady maera(maid of fl)
She’s baiting you, my lady.
lady maera(maid of fl)
lady maera(maid of fl)
*Whispers*
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
And I’m about to bite.
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
໒꒰ ¬᎔¬ ꒱১
[Moments Later- Still at the Table]
Seris Valenne(lover of ml)
Seris Valenne(lover of ml)
*glides closer, placing a goblet in front of Kael*
Seris Valenne(lover of ml)
Seris Valenne(lover of ml)
I had the kitchen prepare your favorite wine. Thought you could use something familiar.
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
*nodding* Thank you.
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
How thoughtful. Shall I fetch you a blanket too, Seris? Since you’re so… concerned for my husband’s comfort.
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
( ´◔‸◔`)
Seris Valenne(lover of ml)
Seris Valenne(lover of ml)
*feigned innocence* I only wish to help him relax. Being married to someone so… spirited must be exhausting.
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
Seris-
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
At least I’m not slithering through the castle pretending to be pure.
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
ಡ᎔ಡ
Gasps ripple through nearby guests. Kael turns to Elara sharply.
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
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⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
that's it..you are crossing the line.
[Outside the Hall - Minutes Later]
Kael’s hand closes around Elara’s arm, firm enough to make her stumble as he pulls her into the dim corridor outside. The music from the hall fades, replaced by the low hiss of his voice.
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
What was that?
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
you don't get to insult seris like that.
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
definitely not in front of me.
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
I said the truth only.
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
IT WAS AN INSULT IN FRONT OF HALF THE COURT💢
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
WHAT ABOUT ME..?
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
She’s been insulting me since the wedding. You just don’t hear it because you don’t want to.
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
you only notice my mistakes because you just hate me.
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
you are blindly obsessed with her ignoring her insults towards me.
Kael’s jaw tightens, his dark eyes narrowing. The shadows from the torchlight make the sharp lines of his face look harsher.
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
She shows more grace in a day than you have all week.
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
“…Excuse me?”
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
You think this is a game? That your petty remarks make you clever? You’re embarrassing me.
Elara’s chest rises and falls faster, her voice sharper now.
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
Maybe if you spent half as much energy defending your wife as you do protecting your precious Seris, I wouldn’t have to fight alone!
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
*steps closer, his shadow falling over her completely. His voice drops lower, cold enough to cut*
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
*grips her shoulders painfully*
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
Careful, Elara.
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
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👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
Or what? You’ll glower me to death?
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
is that it??
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
you think I am scared of you...?
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
…You really don’t know when to stop.
When she doesn’t back down, Kael’s hand twitches... like he’s about to strike but freezes halfway. His breathing is heavier now, his expression a dangerous mix of control and fury.
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
why did you stop?? you want to hit me right..?
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
*quietly* Go ahead. Show me exactly what kind of man the King forced me to marry.
For a heartbeat, the air between them feels like it might ignite. Then Kael turns away abruptly, slamming his palm into the wall instead. The sound echoes down the empty corridor.
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
Don’t push me again.❄️❄️❄️
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
just know that from now on, I hate you even more.❄️❄️❄️
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
⚔️kael Draven(ML/duke)
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Without another word, he stalks off, leaving Elara alone in the flickering torchlight- her hands trembling, not from fear, but from the way his anger had almost… thrilled her.
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
...
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
*stands there for a while looking at the direction where kael disappeared a few minutes ago*
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
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[Marea Appears- Moments Later]
lady maera(maid of fl)
lady maera(maid of fl)
*slips out from behind a pillar, eyes wide but voice steady*
lady maera(maid of fl)
lady maera(maid of fl)
That woman set you up, my lady. Seris told the court before you arrived that she "worries for your temper" They were waiting for you to explode.
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
*bitter laugh* Then she got exactly what she wanted.
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
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lady maera(maid of fl)
lady maera(maid of fl)
Not exactly. She didn’t get your tears.
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
👑Elara veylin(FL/princess)
*smiles faintly* No… I save those for when they’ll do the most damage.
_
_
to be continued...
🎀Lazy author🎀
🎀Lazy author🎀
ಡ᎔ಡ
🎀Lazy author🎀
🎀Lazy author🎀
cya in the next chapter~
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Comments

αяуα~

αяуα~

You better kill Kael or Seris soon author
waiting for it /Smile/
actually kill both of them
we will rule better when Elara is the Queen

2025-08-13

1

αяуα~

αяуα~

Why?
Seris dont get to speak against PRINCESS like that too
uske shikhaya tune tu ab El ko sikha raha h bewde



sorry for the languge /Grievance//Grievance/

2025-08-13

1

αяуα~

αяуα~

aur kitne tax badhayoge /Panic/
sab le lo tum hamse/Pooh-pooh/

2025-08-13

1

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