SWNOVELXO Chapter 18: Valanora's Vigil
Before she could respond, Chancellor Kyran approached, taking a seat across from them. He held a plate of his own but didn't seem particularly interested in eating.
"Your Grace, Miss Elara," he greeted, inclining his head to each of them.
"Seeing as you've made your way over to us, I assume you have news on the Sons of Lyrel."
Elara's eyes widened as the chancellor nodded his head. "Already?"
"It's not much information," Chancellor Kyran warned, leaning toward them. "Orland sent a message a few minutes ago. The knights he sent to investigate managed to track the operations for the Sons of Lyrel. It was rather easy since they have a base in Chirondale."
Caspian's expression remained neutral, but she saw the tick of annoyance in his jaw. "Go on," he pressed.
"Orland says they're not an assassin's guild. Not yet, anyway. They're currently acting as an intelligence agency, gathering information and selling it to the highest bidder. They're pretty good at it, too, apparently. One of the knights said he caught one of Marchioness Draymond's butlers slinking out of there."
This was news. But then, it made sense. The Sons of Lyrel weren't mentioned until the third novel which takes place three years from now. Other than the assassinations they ended up performing, nothing else was known about them. It was as if they had suddenly appeared and then vanished just as fast.
"At first, they weren't willing to talk about your assassination attempt, Miss. Elara," Kyran went on, biting into his skewer. "But when the knights threw the right amount of coin at them, they reluctantly opened their mouths. They said someone approached them three days ago with a large amount of gold, looking to eliminate you."
Elara's heart lurched as he continued, "They said they declined the offer. They said even though the price was high and they were quite convinced they might be able to pull it off, their head of command forbade them from taking it. Said it was shady and the nobles were trying to drag them into their messes."
It was quiet as Caspian and Elara both took in this new information. Caspian's expression had grown dark, like a cloud passing over the sun.
"Whoever approached them must've been desperate to have offered that much gold to take Elara's life before she's even reached the capital."
"That's not all. Orland says the Sons of Lyrel seemed displeased after learning someone attempted to kill you wearing their brand. They didn't want to be involved with any of this, so they took great offense to someone trying to drag their name through the mud. They've begun their own investigation into the matter. Orland is keeping his eyes on their operations in Chirondale, but if the head of their operations takes over the investigation, he won't be able to keep eyes on them so easily. The leader of the Sons of Lyrel is in the capital."
"That works in our favor," Caspian murmured. "If they investigate and take care of the person who did it themselves, that's less work for us. We'll keep an eye on them in the capital, too. And just in case, you should still share a room with me for the time being, Elara. We'll say we're holding Valanora's Vigil."
Elara's cheeks flushed. She'd heard of that. In the novel, when the female lead and the king were engaged, they participated in an odd ritual in this world known as Valanora's Vigil. The nobles of this world were pretty insistent about the whole remaining chaste before marriage thing; however, a successful Vigil was an even greater mark of compatibility than marriage vows spoken at the altar.
It was a connection blessed by the goddess Valanora herself, according to the author's forum. The Vigil allowed a couple to share a private space, living together as if they were already married and was an unspoken invitation to test the depth of their romantic and physical connection. If they emerged harmonious and still eager to wed, it was a sign that Valanora had given her blessing on their marriage. It could last anywhere from days to months.
Elara remember how the author had described the Vigil between the female lead and the king. The tension, the nervous yet tender moments between them that had captivated readers. It was one of the most popular parts of the series, sparking countless discussions in the forums about the king being one of the best male leads in a modern-day romance book to date. When it got announced they would be adapting The Day of Eternal Night into a TV series, the fans had been pretty intent on making sure the showrunners and the actors portrayed that scene well.
The thought of going through it herself seemed far more daunting than romantic, though. Even if it was all for show.
She nodded, forcing herself to maintain a neutral expression even though her heart was jackhammering something crazy in her chest. It's just a precaution, she told herself, even as her mind conjured images of the Vigil scenes she'd read so many times before. The soft, candlelit chambers, the hushed confessions, the long, lingering touches. But this was different. This wasn't the king and the female lead of the book; this was her and Caspian—and they were acting, merely putting on a play so that she didn't get killed like what had almost happened to her last night.
Caspian seemed to catch the flicker of hesitation in her eyes, and his stern expression softened ever so slightly. He leaned back, folding his arms. Like she'd thought last night, it seemed like he really could see her, through to a self even she didn't know of. "I understand your concerns over sharing a space with a man who you are not romantically tied to," he observed quietly. "I wouldn't suggest it if I didn't think it necessary for your protection, Elara. Whoever attempted to have you killed might try again, and I can't allow that."
Chancellor Kyran, still nibbling at his skewer, glanced between them with a wry smile. "Your Grace, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were rather eager to claim Miss. Elara as your Vigil partner. Valanora's blessing, indeed."
Caspian shot him a sharp look. "I have no interest in trivial rumors, Kyran. This is about safety, nothing more."
"Of course," Kyran said, though he seemed to be wildly amused by this situation. "It works out for us in the end, regardless. Rumors of your spending such time together will spread throughout the capital in no time, and all those nobles won't be able to question the fact you've chosen her as your intended, your Grace."
Elara's heart skipped a beat. Chosen as his intended. The thought was absurd, wasn't it? This was Caspian Isyndor—the cold, calculating Grand Duke who didn't indulge in such frivolities. But then again, the book left a lot to be desired in terms of descriptions in many ways. It never mentioned Caspian's childhood of visiting the southern province with his mother, it never hinted at all those moments that made him real and alive, it never mentioned his kindness, nor had it described any moments where he'd shown this level of concern for someone's safety, beyond his most trusted allies.
"Let them think what they want," Caspian said dismissively. He turned back to Elara, observing her. "Elara, will you agree to this? It's your choice. I won't force you."
Elara met his gaze, and the world around her seemed to fade for a moment. The two of them were locked in a silent exchange where no words seemed necessary. His eyes softened, almost imperceptibly, but she caught it—a flicker of vulnerability that made her chest ache. This is new to him, too. The thought was startling, even as she knew it was the truth. In the books, he'd never gotten to truly fall in love even with the implication that he loved the female lead who ended up betraying him. She was sure it was strange for him, too, sharing space with someone he didn't love.
Her heart twisted at that thought, and she shook it off. He would never grow to love her, and she should never come to love him.
She exhaled slowly, nodding. "It's fine. I agree with it. If staying by your side makes it easier on you all to keep me safe, I'll do it."
A small, relieved smile ghosted over his lips, gone in an instant as he stood. "Good." He turned to Chancellor Kyran. "We should let the maids know, so they can prepare our tents accordingly."
Kyran watched them both with a bemused expression as though he were witnessing the birth of some mystical thing right before his eyes. "Well, then," he said, standing as well and brushing off his tunic. "It seems I have more than enough to keep me entertained today. I'll inform them of your decision, your Grace."
With that, Kyran inclined his head and sauntered off, leaving the two of them alone once more. Caspian turned to her, extending a hand to help her up from her seat on a fallen log. When she took it, his fingers curled around hers with surprising gentleness.
He cleared his throat. "I'm sorry," he said softly. "I know this is...I know this isn't what you wanted. I promise I will do all I can to make this as comfortable for you as possible."
Her heart squeezed at the sincerity in his voice. She was reminded again why she was so drawn to his character; why she had fought so hard against all those negative comments in the forums that disparaged him just because he committed heinous acts due to the female lead's plots. This was who he was.
"Thank you," she replied, her words a whisper. "I know it makes no sense because we don't truly know each other, but I trust you, Caspian."
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Elara followed Caspian into the shaded clearing where their tent had been set up. The dark canvas exterior blended seamlessly into the forest's mountainous backdrop, giving the appearance of a simple, modest shelter. But as Caspian gestured for her to enter, she hesitated at the flap.
She glanced back at him, raising an eyebrow. "This is it? The tent looks so... small. Will it really be enough room for the two of us?"
Caspian's lips quirked in a faint smile. "Step inside, and you'll see."
Elara ducked through the entrance, and her eyes widened in shock, her jaw dropping. It was as if she had walked into a different world entirely. The space inside was massive, nearly the size of a proper cottage. The ground was carpeted with plush furs, and the air was warm, scented faintly of cedar and sage. A low table with an array of fruits and wine sat at the center, and against the far side was a large, inviting bed draped in deep blue silks.
"How—?" Elara spun around, trying to make sense of it. "How is this possible?"
"A bit of magic," Caspian said simply as he stepped inside, letting the flap fall closed behind him. The warm light from the crackling fire cast a soft glow over his features, making him appear even more striking. "There is a Mage with us, among the knights."
This was news to her. "A mage? Really?"
Caspian hummed his assent. "Melanova," Caspian explained, pulling off his gloves. "Her brother fought alongside us in the war against Eldarwyn. He was gravely injured, and the new king was refusing to send proper aid, so it looked as if he would die. I found a way to save him." He shrugged as if it was no big deal. "After the war ended, he left the soldiering life behind him, living on the stipend the royals provide for his service. He has a wife now, in Reevesdale. Melanova says they're to have their first child come Eldra's Crest."
"And she chose to serve you because of that? Because you saved her brother?"
"Yes," Caspian replied, moving closer to stoke the fire in the small brazier near the bed. "She volunteered her skills three years ago. Though not many women take up the sword, she's more talented than her brother at it. She earned her knighthood in under a year."
Elara was amazed. She didn't know much about gaining a knighthood or being a woman in a world like this one, but even she understood how amazing Melanova's feats were.