The following morning...
Aurora rose up to a knock on her chambers door, it was her ladies-in-waiting,
"Come in" she said for them to enter, " "good morning your highness" they said in unison as they curtsied, good morning, Aurora replied as she stood up from her bed to get ready for the day.
As Aurora stood before the mirror studying herself as her ladies-in-waiting dressed her, she heard another knock on the door, it was a maid who came to inform her that the entire family would gather for breakfast.
The morning sunlight poured into the grand dining hall, casting a warm glow over the long table where the royal family gathered for breakfast. The King and Queen sat at one end, their regal presence filling the room. Prince Alistair was already seated nearby, reading a scroll. Servants moved about quietly, setting silver dishes and pouring tea.
As Aurora approached the doors, she noticed Elara making her way in at the same time, her expression a practiced mask of cool confidence. Aurora's heart beat a little faster as she anticipated the familiar tension, especially in front of the King and Queen.
Elara flashed a polite smile, though there was something sharp in her eyes. "Good morning, Aurora," she said with a slight incline of her head.
Aurora returned the greeting with a nod, keeping her expression calm. "Good morning, Elara."
The two walked in together, and as they neared the table, Aurora noticed Elara subtly steering herself toward the seat beside Alistair. Elara smiled as she set her hand on the back of the chair, clearly intending to sit there, as though it was her place by right.
Aurora cleared her throat, her voice steady but polite. "Elara," she said, gently but firmly. "I believe this is my seat."
Elara froze for a fraction of a second, but her smile didn't falter. She tilted her head, a glint of challenge in her eyes. "Oh, I didn't realize," she replied smoothly. "Old habits, you know. It used to be my place."
Aurora smiled in return, but her voice held a note of confidence. "I understand. But as Alistair's wife, it is now my place."
The room fell silent, and Aurora could feel the eyes of the King, Queen, Alistair and Elizabeth upon her. A subtle tension settled in the air, and for a brief moment, it seemed as though Elara would resist. But then, with a graceful nod, she released her hold on the chair and took a seat across from Alistair instead.
Aurora took her place beside her husband, feeling a quiet surge of triumph. She noticed Alistair's appreciative glance as he met her eyes, his expression a mixture of pride and warmth.
"Good morning, Aurora," he murmured, placing his hand gently over hers beneath the table. "I'm glad you're here."
She smiled at him, feeling a renewed sense of belonging. Elara's subtle challenge was a reminder that Aurora would face resistance as she settled into her role. But she knew she had a rightful place beside Alistair, and she intended to hold it.
The King cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. "I'm glad we are all together this morning," he said, his voice carrying the weight of his authority. "There are pressing matters to discuss, not just within the kingdom but within our family."
Aurora felt the Queen's gaze rest on her with quiet scrutiny, as though she were still measuring Aurora's worth. She held her head high, returning the Queen's gaze with calm confidence. She was here to stay-both as a wife to Alistair and as a future queen of the kingdom.
Elara's expression remained unreadable, but Aurora could sense a flicker of resentment in her eyes. Yet she knew this wouldn't be the last test. Elara was not one to accept defeat easily, and Aurora would have to remain vigilant.
But for now, with Alistair's hand in hers and the family gathered around, she felt that she was exactly where she was meant to be.
Later that day...
Lyra walked down the dimly lit corridors of the palace, feeling the cool stone beneath her fingertips as she brushed the walls. The evening had been particularly exhausting, with council members voicing concerns about her decisions. She felt the weight of the crown on her shoulders more than ever. But Alistair always had a way of easing her doubts, and she longed to seek comfort in his presence.
As she reached the door to his chambers, Aurora noticed it was slightly ajar. She paused, the muffled sound of laughter drifting through the gap. It was a familiar laugh-Alistair's deep and warm chuckle. But it was joined by another voice, light and lilting: Elara's. The sound of her laughter, so close to Alistair's, made Lyra's stomach twist uncomfortably.
Curiosity mixed with a hint of unease, Aurora inched the door open a little wider, just enough to see inside. There, by the firelight, she saw Alistair sitting on the edge of his bed, an amused grin on his face. Elara stood close, too close, with one hand resting on his shoulder, leaning toward him as she spoke.
"Alistair, you always were terrible at these palace games," Elara teased, her voice soft with a trace of nostalgia. She moved her hand slowly from his shoulder down to his forearm, a lingering touch that seemed both intimate and possessive. "I still remember the time you tried to hide in the library from Father, and you ended up knocking over an entire shelf."
Alistair laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "That was years ago, Elara. But I'll admit, I haven't changed much in that regard. Bookshelves still seem to be my downfall."
Aurora's heart clenched as she watched the scene unfold. Elara's gaze lingered on Alistair, filled with a softness that spoke of years of closeness-a closeness that Lyra, as his new wife, was only beginning to understand. She felt a pang of jealousy, but more than that, she felt an overwhelming sense of inadequacy. Elara was part of Alistair's past, an unshakable piece of his history, while Aurora was the newcomer, the outsider who had yet to fully fit in.
Gathering herself, Aurora stepped into the room, her expression calm but her heart pounding. Both Alistair and Elara looked up, the easy familiarity in their expressions flickering as they noticed her.
"Lyra," Alistair greeted warmly, though he quickly noticed the tension in her posture. "I didn't expect you back so soon. Is everything all right?"
Lyra offered a tight smile, her gaze shifting to Elara, who didn't bother to step back, maintaining her position close to Alistair. "I wanted to speak with you, Alistair," Aurora said, her voice steady. "But I can come back later if you're... busy."
Elara's lips curled into a smirk as she looked between the two of them. "Oh, we're not busy. Alistair and I were just reminiscing. You know, old memories and all that." She moved her hand from Alistair's arm but kept her gaze on him, as if sharing a secret only they understood.
The subtle gesture made Aurora's chest tighten. She forced herself to keep her composure, even as she felt her emotions spiraling. "I see. Well, I wouldn't want to interrupt your... memories."
Alistair, noticing the tension, stood up and took a step toward Aurora. "You're not interrupting, Aurora. I'm glad you're here." He reached out to touch her hand, but Aurora hesitated, glancing at Elara, who watched with an amused glint in her eyes.
"Are you?" Aurora's question came out softer than she intended, a hint of vulnerability seeping into her voice. "It seems I'm the one intruding."
Elara let out a light laugh, feigning innocence. "Oh, Aurora, don't be so sensitive. Alistair and I grew up together, after all. We're practically like family. Isn't that right, Alistair?"
Alistair frowned slightly, sensing aurora's discomfort. "Elara, that's enough." He turned back to Aurora, his eyes earnest. "Aurora , I was just catching up with Elara. Nothing more."
But aurora's mind was already racing, her insecurities bubbling to the surface. She'd known about Alistair's history with Elara, about the bond they once shared, but seeing it with her own eyes made it feel real in a way that words never could. She felt a pang of self-doubt, wondering if she could ever truly compete with someone who had known Alistair for so long, someone who seemed to understand him so effortlessly.
Elara tilted her head, a faint smile playing on her lips as she watched Aurora's struggle. "I'll leave you two alone," she said, her tone syrupy sweet. "I'm sure you have much to discuss."
As Elara slipped out of the room, her gaze lingered on Aurora, a silent message of superiority in her eyes. Aurora's jaw tightened as she watched her go, feeling a flicker of anger beneath her hurt.
Alistair stepped closer, his hand reaching for hers again. "Aurora, please... don't let Elara get to you. She's just-"
"She's just what, Alistair?" Lyra interrupted, her voice sharper than she intended. "Your friend? Your confidante? She was here with you, laughing, touching you, like... like nothing's changed." She pulled her hand away, taking a step back. "And I'm just supposed to pretend it doesn't matter?"
Alistair's expression softened, his brows knitting with concern. "Aurora, you're the one I chose. You're my wife. Elara is a part of my past, yes, but that's all she is-my past."
Aurora looked away, struggling to hold back tears. "I know that. I know it in my head. But... seeing the way you two were just now, the way she looked at you..." She paused, trying to steady herself. "It felt like there's a part of you that's still connected to her in a way I'll never be."
Alistair closed the distance between them, his hands gently resting on her shoulders. "Lyra, look at me." She met his gaze, her heart aching with the vulnerability she saw mirrored in his eyes. "Yes, Elara and I share a history. But you're my future. You're the one I've chosen to build a life with, to build a kingdom with. Whatever she may think, whatever she tries, it's you I love."
Aurora's chest tightened, the intensity of his words melting away her doubts. She wanted to believe him, to trust in the strength of their bond. She took a shaky breath, nodding as she let herself lean into his embrace.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I just... I feel like I don't belong sometimes. Like I'm not enough."
Alistair held her closer, his voice firm. "You're more than enough, Aurora. And anyone who can't see that-whether it's Elara or anyone else-doesn't deserve a place in our lives."
For a moment, they stood there in silence, Alistair's arms a comforting shield around Aurora felt the weight of her insecurities ease, replaced by a quiet resolve. She would no longer let Elara's games undermine her confidence. She was Alistair's choice, his partner in every sense, and she would hold her head high, knowing that her place in his life was unshakable.
As she pulled back, meeting his gaze, she gave him a small smile, her jealousy now replaced with a newfound sense of strength. And in that moment, Aurora knew she was ready to face whatever trials might come their way-together.