Elara

The morning light filtered through the narrow windows of the palace library as Elara sat at one of the long wooden tables, her gaze scanning the faded pages of yet another dusty tome. The library had become her sanctuary in recent days, a place where she could search for answers without drawing attention. But as the hours passed, the task of finding anything useful among the endless volumes was beginning to weigh on her.

Elara sighed and leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples as her thoughts drifted. The excitement she had felt the night before, when she and Aldric had made their plans, had faded slightly in the harsh light of day. She was beginning to understand just how difficult—and dangerous—it would be to uncover the hidden passages they sought.

The books she had found so far were filled with stories and myths, but nothing concrete. No maps, no clear descriptions of where the secret routes might be. It was frustrating, to say the least, and with each passing day, the danger of being discovered loomed larger.

She had to find something. She couldn’t let this plan fail, not when so much was at stake.

“Elara.”

The sound of her name, spoken in a low whisper, made her jump. She turned to see Marta standing in the doorway, her expression tense. Elara immediately felt a pang of guilt for being so absorbed in her search that she hadn’t heard the older woman approach.

“Marta,” she said, standing up quickly. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Marta’s eyes narrowed as she stepped closer. “What are you doing, child? I’ve been looking for you. You’ve been in this library more often than usual, and I’m starting to get worried.”

Elara bit her lip, trying to figure out what to say. She trusted Marta, but the older woman had made it clear that she thought Elara was playing a dangerous game. Telling her the full truth might only make things worse.

“I’ve been… reading,” Elara said, hoping the vagueness of her answer would suffice.

Marta’s gaze softened, but her frown remained. “You’ve always loved your books, Elara, but don’t think I’m blind to what’s going on. You’re looking for something. And I have a feeling it has to do with that knight.”

Elara looked down at the floor, her heart racing. She couldn’t lie to Marta—not outright, at least. “Marta, I… I don’t know what to do. Things are getting more complicated.”

Marta sighed and sat down in the chair next to her, folding her hands in her lap. “Child, you’re walking a dangerous path. I warned you about this before. If anyone finds out about you and Sir Aldric, it could mean your head.”

Elara swallowed hard, the weight of Marta’s words hitting her like a stone. “I know. But we’ve been careful. No one knows.”

“Maybe,” Marta said, her voice low and wary, “but secrets don’t stay hidden in the palace for long. Especially when it comes to someone like Lady Isolde.”

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Elara’s pulse quickened. She had heard the rumors—Lady Isolde’s growing suspicions about Aldric, her careful watch over his actions. It was only a matter of time before the noblewoman began to act on those suspicions.

“I can’t just… stop,” Elara said, her voice barely a whisper. “Aldric and I… we’ve come too far.”

Marta studied her for a long moment, her expression softening. “You love him.”

Elara nodded, her throat tightening. “I do.”

Marta sighed again, shaking her head. “I’ve seen love do foolish things to people. It blinds them to the dangers right in front of their eyes. But I also know there’s no use trying to convince you otherwise. So, if you insist on going through with this, at least promise me you’ll be careful.”

“I will,” Elara said, her voice firmer now. “We have a plan, Marta. We’re going to find a way out.”

Marta’s eyebrows shot up. “A way out? Elara, what are you talking about?”

Elara hesitated, glancing around to make sure no one was listening before leaning in closer. “We’ve heard stories about secret passages under the palace. Hidden tunnels that lead beyond the walls. If we can find them, we can… we can escape. Together.”

Marta stared at her, disbelief etched on her face. “Secret passages? Elara, those are just stories. You’re risking your life for a fairy tale.”

“They’re more than just stories,” Elara insisted, her voice filled with conviction. “I’ve found references in the old books. Aldric is asking around too. We believe they’re real.”

Marta looked at her for a long moment, the tension in her eyes replaced by something more like resignation. “I can’t believe this. But if you’re set on this… you need to be smarter than the people watching you. And make no mistake, child—there are people watching.”

Elara’s heart sank at the truth of those words. She had been so focused on her plan with Aldric, so determined to make it work, that she hadn’t fully considered just how dangerous it would be if anyone discovered what they were up to.

“I will be careful,” Elara promised, her voice steady. “I won’t let anything happen to him. Or to us.”

Marta shook her head but placed a hand on Elara’s arm, a gesture of support. “I just hope you know what you’re doing.”

With that, the older woman stood and left the library, leaving Elara alone once again with the books and her swirling thoughts.

----------------------------------------

That evening, Elara made her way to the garden where she and Aldric had been meeting. The path felt darker than usual, the weight of Marta’s warning pressing down on her. She knew she was risking everything by continuing this, but turning back now wasn’t an option. She had to see this through.

When she reached the garden, Aldric was already waiting for her, his figure silhouetted against the moonlit trees. He turned as she approached, and the look of relief on his face made her heart ache.

“Elara,” he said softly, pulling her into his arms. “I’ve missed you.”

She rested her head against his chest, letting the warmth of his embrace soothe her frayed nerves. “I’ve missed you too.”

For a moment, they stood in silence, the weight of their situation hanging between them. Then Aldric pulled back slightly, his eyes searching hers. “Did you find anything?”

Elara hesitated, thinking of Marta’s warning, but then nodded. “I’ve found more references. Stories about hidden passages beneath the palace, though nothing specific about where they’re located.”

Aldric frowned, his brow furrowing. “I’ve been trying to get information from some of the older knights, but no one seems to know much. It’s as if the knowledge has been lost—or buried.”

Elara nodded, feeling the same frustration he did. “We need more time. If we can’t find the passages, we’ll have to find another way. But Aldric… we need to be careful. Marta warned me today. She thinks we’re being watched.”

Aldric’s expression darkened. “Lady Isolde.”

Elara nodded. “She’s suspicious. If she finds out…”

“We’ll deal with her,” Aldric said, his voice hardening. “But we can’t let her stop us. We’re too close.”

Elara looked up at him, her heart filled with both hope and fear. “We’ll find a way. We have to.”

Aldric’s expression softened, and he cupped her face in his hands, his touch gentle. “I won’t let anyone take this from us, Elara. Not Lady Isolde, not the king, no one.”