SWNOVELXO Chapter 27: Lyanna Orinthal
She had spent countless hours reading about Lyanna Orinthal—the perfect heroine, strong-willed, beloved by the people, and fiercely protective of the crown, but Caspian was right. His words were an echo of the very same thing she'd been thinking since he brought her to this world.
She gave him a smile as watered down as the alcohol in the bar she frequented on weekends and said, "I know that, too. I might not know everything there is to know, but that's what you and Chancellor Kyran are for."
And when she spoke those words aloud, she truly believed it.
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The grand dining hall of the Imperial Palace was the true definition of a spectacle. Crystalline chandeliers, vaulted ceilings, the long table that stretched the length of the room, filled with fine porcelain plates and rounded wine glasses with thin stems. The servants were pressed against the wall, waiting for the moment they were needed.
Elara and Caspian entered side by side, and immediately, all eyes turned to them. King Alaric stood at the head of the table, a smile curving onto his handsome face. "Ah, there they are!" he exclaimed, spreading his arms wide as if welcoming old friends. "Please, do join us."
At his side was Queen Lyanna Orinthal, the woman Elara had read about so many times that it felt almost surreal to see her in the flesh. Lyanna was even more beautiful than Elara had imagined—her beauty was the kind that no amount of long sonnets and flowery words could do justice. Long, golden hair fell in waves down her back, a crown of delicate gold leaves resting atop her head. Her eyes, a striking shade of blue, seemed to pierce through whatever they beheld, and her lips curved into a soft, practiced smile that did nothing to warm the chill of her gaze.
"Grand Duke Caspian. It's truly lovely to see you after so long." Lyanna greeted, inclining her head ever so slightly.
Caspian bowed his head politely. "I'm glad to hear you say so, your Majesty."
Her attention shifted to Elara. "And you must be Elara. What an honor to meet the woman who has so captivated His Grace."
Elara curtsied, keeping her expression as neutral as she could manage. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well, your Majesty. I've heard many great stories about you."
"Now that we've all greeted each other, both of you sit. Please," came King Alaric's insistence.
Caspian pulled out her chair for her, and when she was settled in, he took the seat next to her. She risked a glance at him, noting the rigid set of his shoulders and the controlled tension in his jaw.
The first course was served—an array of roasted chicken, delicately spiced vegetables, and sweet wines poured into crystal glasses. Elara lifted her glass, taking a cautious sip as the conversation began.
"I must say, I was quite intrigued when I first heard of your meeting," said King Alaric, cutting into a large drumstick. "Such an unusual tale. I tried telling Lyanna about it, but I'm sure I didn't get it quite right. Tell me, Elara, how exactly did my brother find you?"
Lyanna's gaze sharpened like the blade of the knife in her hand, and she leaned forward slightly, her expression a picture of polite curiosity. "Yes, do tell," she urged, her voice melodic and sweet, but Elara knew better than to mistake it for friendliness. "It's not often we hear of the Grand Duke rescuing a damsel in distress at the border of Chirondale. It must have been quite the scene."
And so it begins.
Elara took a breath, her mind racing as she recalled the story Caspian had spun for her arrival. She couldn't afford to slip up here, not with the king and queen both watching her so intently. "It was," she agreed with a light laugh, trying to project the image of a woman enchanted by her hero. "I was lost and frightened, far from anything familiar. When the goblins attacked, I thought for certain it was the end. But then His Grace appeared. He was like a knight from a fairytale. He fought them off with ease. I'm not sure I would be here if it weren't for him."
Lyanna's smile was thin, almost brittle. "How fortunate," she remarked, her eyes never leaving Elara's face. "For too long, Caspian has been dedicated to protecting his land and its people and only that. It's about time he found someone important to protect, as well."
"I wouldn't say I'm the only one who does the protecting," Caspian interjected smoothly, tilting his head towards Elara. "Elara is more capable than she lets on. She's saved me from quite a few headaches already."
King Alaric laughed. "Is that so? Well, I must admit, you've always had a knack for finding the most… unexpected allies, brother. To not only discover an Otherworlder at your borders but to also fall in love with her...How fortunate for you and all of Chirondale."
"The people of Chirondale are fortunate to have a leader like Caspian," Elara murmured. "I'm honored enough to just be an ally, to have him love me as well feels like a dream."
Lyanna leaned back in her chair, her fingers tracing the rim of her wine glass. "How touching," she all but crooned, her lips pulled back into a smile in her too-pretty face. "Looking at the two of you, it's clear you're very fond of one another. It brings me such joy. It's been such a long time since I've seen you so at ease, Caspian."
"Yes," he agreed. "It's been a long time since I've felt I could trust someone. Elara knows even my darkest depths and still has chosen to remain with me, to harrow hell with me. I thought there was nothing in the world that could surprise me at this point, but it appears I was wrong."
Lyanna's eyes ran over his face, her glass held to her lips, before they flickered back to Elara. "What a wonderful and lovely surprise you are, Miss. Elara."
Though something about the way Lyanna was looking at her made Elara believe her words absolutely didn't match what she was thinking.
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Crisseda's nimble fingers worked quickly, pinning Elara's hair back with delicate silver clips shaped like tiny crescent moons. The grand ball of Valtren's Bounty Hunt was upon them—the eve before the hunt itself, when nobles feasted and toasted under the twinkling chandeliers of the palace's Sunswept Ballroom and commoners were invited into the palace to celebrate in the Windswept Ballroom. The entire city of Isyndor was abuzz with anticipation. She'd heard the maids chatting among themselves excitedly from her spot at the window overlooking the gardens.
She was slightly more at ease now than she had been before. Two days had passed and no more attempts were made on her life. After the king and queen had met with her and Caspian on their first night here, they had returned to their own work and were both far too busy preparing for Valtren's Bounty Hunt to be too concerned about her and Caspian.
Elara sat still in front of the mirror, her eyes catching the flicker of Crisseda's reflection behind her. "You look lovely, Miss Elara," the maid murmured, smoothing down the deep blue fabric of her dress. The silver embroidery twined like vines across the bodice, a not-so-subtle reminder to all the nobles in attendance that she was his.
"Thank you, Crisseda," Elara replied with a smile. "Are you attending the banquet tonight?"
Crisseda's eyes brightened. "Yes, miss. There's a section for the commoners. It's nothing like the banquet the nobles will have, of course, but it should still be a rare treat. Her Majesty was in charge of putting it together, and they say when it comes to throwing a party of any kind, there's no one alive who can compete."
There had been a line like that somewhere in The Day of Eternal Night, so Elara nodded.
"Enjoy yourself. You've more than earned it." Elara looked back at her and grinned. "Since getting drunk is frowned upon at the noble banquet, have a few drinks for me."
Crisseda laughed, a light sound like the ringing of a small bell. "I'll have so many, they'll have to carry me out, miss," she promised. Then, with a final pat on Elara's shoulder, she slipped out of the room, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
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The Sunswept Ballroom where the banquet was held was a shimmering sea of wealth and power. Laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the hum of conversation filled the space. Caspian led Elara through the throng of nobles, his hand resting lightly on her back in a way that was both possessive and protective. She could feel the eyes on them, whispers swirling like smoke, and she fought to keep her smile easy and her posture relaxed.
Chancellor Kyran approached them with his usual grace, a small smile quirking at the corner of his lips. "Your Grace, Miss Elara," he greeted. He was dressed impeccably, though his attire was simpler compared to the more ostentatious nobles. He looked every bit the nobleman he was—the third son of the former Count of Reevesdale, a lineage that came with its own weight of expectations.
In the novel, one of the reasons Chancellor Kyran connected with Caspian as deeply as he did was because he felt as if he were looking into a mirror. Like Caspian, Chancellor Kyran was the competent one in his family. However, he was the youngest son. All the assets of the countdom were passed on to his elder brother despite his lack of ability. When his elder brother drove the family to near ruin, Chancellor Kyran refused to give any more money since his brother's excessive spending habits were the problem in the first place. Instead, he took in his niece and nephew to raise them and asked for permission from the royal family to be given permission to choose the next head of the countdom. Of course, after having been one of the active parts of ending the war, they granted his request. Now, his niece and nephew lived with him, and Chirondale and Chancellor Kyran would choose only the most competent between them.
It was a very important part of the novel because the countdom fell to ruin after the chancellor died.
"Kyran," Caspian said, nodding to him. "You're not hiding away in a corner tonight?"
"I thought I'd make an exception," the chancellor replied dryly. "Besides, it's not every day I get to watch you play the dutiful lover."
Elara laughed, the sound a little too high-pitched, and caught herself. "He could join an acting troop if the whole Grand Duke thing doesn't pan out," she teased, glancing up at Caspian.
Caspian's lips turned up into one of his small smiles. "Only because I have an excellent partner."
Before she could come up with any form of a response, a figure was all but marching its way toward them. Elara watched her as she came to a stop in front of them, holding her fan against her mouth and it took her some time to place why this woman was so familiar.
She was Olivia Volecrest. The granddaughter of Countess Volecrest and the one who was said to be the most beautiful woman in the capital. Looking at her, Elara could definitely believe that. She had long red hair that had been meticulously styled and wore an emerald green dress that clung to her curves. Her expression itself was one of sweetness but her eyes above the fan gleamed maliciously.
"Grand Duke Caspian," Olivia greeted him, her voice dripping with honey. "What a pleasure it is to see you again."
Caspian's lips tightened a little but he bowed his head. "Lady Olivia."
Lady Olivia shifted her eyes—the same color as her dress—over to Elara. "And you must be the fascinating Otherworlder who was rumored to have caught the Grand Duke's eye. A pleasure to meet you, I am Olivia of house Volecrest."