SWNOVELXO Chapter 29: For Now
"Elara has indeed adapted quickly," said Chancellor Kyran suddenly, giving a bow to the king and queen when they turned their attention to him. "You should've seen how quickly she learned of our customs and our practices. Why, I almost thought she was born here."
Queen Lyanna smiled. "To adapt so seamlessly to a world so different from your own... That takes not only intelligence but a certain kind of resilience. I suppose I should be surprised, but I'm not. Otherworlders are often quite quick on the uptake, or so I hear."
Elara felt the weight of their gazes on her. Lyanna's eyes were appraising, cool, and calculating, while King Alaric's were impossibly sharp as if he were seconds away from strapping her to a table and dissecting her. She offered a demure smile, dipping her head slightly. "I've had excellent guidance from His Grace and the chancellor. Without them, I'd be lost."
"It seems, Grand Duke, that you've found quite the treasure. A rare jewel, even among Otherworlders." Lyanna turned her lapis lazuli colored eyes to him.
"Indeed," Caspian said, his tone polite but firm. "And like all treasures, she's something to be protected."
The queen's smile never faltered; instead, it hung on her face in such an unnatural manner that it looked unnerving. "How lovely it is to see the depth of your relationship." With those parting words, the king and queen moved on to be swarmed by hungry nobles eager for their attention.
Elara drew her first calm breath after they had been swallowed by the crowd. It wasn't a breath of true freedom. How could it be when the eyes of the court were still on them, their whispers a low hum beneath the strings of violins and harps from the live orchestra providing music? But at least she had overcome another hurdle and was moving on.
For now.
Kyran shook his head. "Her Majesty hasn't changed a bit."
"She's thorough," Caspian replied, his tone edged but calm. His gaze followed the queen for a moment longer before turning back to Elara. "You did well."
"High praise coming from you," she said lightly, though her pulse still thundered in her ears. She wasn't sure if it was from the adrenaline of facing Lyanna's scrutiny or the fact that Caspian had just called her a treasure in front of the entire court.
Of course, he did. He has to sell this relationship to the nobles and the king and queen. It doesn't seriously mean anything. And even if it did, it couldn't mean anything.
Kyran smiled at Elara. She wasn't sure if it was her imagination or not, but since their trip to the capital, the chancellor seemed to have warmed up to her a little. Maybe it was pity because of the whole someone trying to kill her thing.
"I'd say you've earned your first glass of champagne for the evening, at least. Shall I fetch one for you, Miss Elara?"
She smiled back. "I'd appreciate that, Chancellor Kyran."
He melted into the crowd, his sharp eyes scanning the room as he made his way toward the banquet tables holding food and large shimmering champagne towers.
Elara allowed herself a moment to glance around, noting the curious stares of the nobles who had undoubtedly witnessed the exchange with the queen. Some whispered behind their hands, their gazes darting between her and Caspian. This was probably the juiciest piece of gossip they'd have for a good long while.
Elara realized that Lady Olivia and Lady Colina had disappeared somewhere; probably, they'd slipped away during her and Caspian's conversation with the king and queen. Truthfully, Lady Olivia bothered her a bit because Elara knew she was a snake when it came to any woman who got close to the Grand Duke. Just because Lady Olivia wasn't as smart or resourceful as Lyanna Orinthal didn't mean she couldn't be trouble in her own right. She'd have to keep her guard up because she knew there was no way Lady Olivia was going to let this go.
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The morning of Valtren's Bounty Hunt dawned chilly and crisp; the air tinged with the faint scent of dew and woodsmoke. Golden sunlight spilled on the palace's hunting grounds, casting long shadows across the sprawling fields where noble hunters and commoners alike prepared for the day ahead. Horses were saddled, weapons inspected, and murmurs of excitement buzzed through the gathered crowd. Even the most aloof nobles and knights seemed to carry a quiet anticipation.
Why wouldn't they? Should they win, they would be given enough money to buy their own fiefdom.
Elara stood at the window of her guest tent, staring out at the lively preparations outside. The energy was infectious, but she couldn't shake the weight in her chest. Today marked the beginning of the first book, the point where the original story took place. Today, Queen Lyanna would begin sowing seeds of doubt in the minds of the noble ladies who controlled high society and the opinions of their powerful husbands and by the end of the hunt, in six days, Caspian would be a villain in the eyes of the nobles and the commoners who attended Valtren's Bounty Hunt who would then go on to spread such rumors to their friends and families back home. It was a good plan, but Elara would see to it that she stopped it before it could happen.
She adjusted the green cloak Madame Faylan had made for her, its silver trim catching the light, and let out a slow breath.
Crisseda entered the room, her usual cheer only heightened by the occasion. "You look lovely, Miss Elara. The green suits you."
"Thank you," Elara replied, managing a small smile. "I hope it's enough to make me blend in."
Crisseda arched a brow. "Blend in? With your good looks, you definitely stand out, miss. And with His Grace by your side, you'll stand out whether you like it or not."
Elara sighed, knowing she was right. She had signed up for this role, but that didn't make the scrutiny any easier.
Before she could respond, the flaps of the tent swung back and Caspian stepped inside. Elara tried not to let her jaw hit the floor. Dressed in sleek hunting attire that hugged his broad shoulders and tapered perfectly to his lean waist, he looked like he had just walked off the cover of Nobleman Weekly. The dark fabric contrasted beautifully with his pale skin and white hair, and the glint of silver at his belt—a dagger, because of course he casually accessorized with deadly weapons—was just the cherry on top of the unfairly attractive sundae that was Caspian Isyndor.
Husband Number One has entered the chat.
"May I steal her for a moment?"
"Of course, Your Grace." Crisseda curtsied and slipped out, leaving them alone.
"You're ready?" Caspian asked, his eyes scanning her attire briefly before meeting hers.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Elara said, brushing an invisible speck of dust from her cloak. She made herself stop and stand still. "Are you?"
He smiled ruefully. "I'll have to quote you and say I, too, am as ready as I'll ever be. Remember what I told you: You are the lover of the Grand Duke and Isyndor's only current Otherworlder. You have to bow your head to no one. If anyone takes anything too far, don't feel as if you have to handle it alone. Let me or Kyran know. We'll help you at once."
She smiled and nodded. Apparently, she still looked nervous because he said, "You'll be fine. You've already faced worse than anything they'll throw at you today."
She wanted to believe him. More than that, she wanted to succeed so that his confidence in her wouldn't be in vain.
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The grand hunting grounds were a sight to behold, stretching far into the horizon, where golden fields gave way to dense forests. The nobles gathered at the starting point, their laughter mingling with the distant calls of birds. Vibrant banners bearing the crests of the noble houses fluttered in the breeze.
Elara found herself in the center of it all, standing beside Caspian as he spoke with a group of nobles. Chancellor Kyran was nearby, his sharp eyes missing nothing as he exchanged pleasantries with those who dared approach. She noticed how the nobles seemed to gravitate toward them, their curiosity barely veiled.
"Miss Elara," a voice called out, drawing her attention. Lady Olivia approached, her deep red gown flowing elegantly behind her. Beside her was Lady Colina, whose eager, welcoming smile was about as authentic as a two-headed horse.
"Lady Olivia," Elara greeted with a polite curtsy. "You look radiant this morning."
"As do you," Lady Olivia replied, her tone smooth as silk. "Such a bold color choice. The silver embellishments are quite lovely. Declaring your place beside the Grand Duke outright is quite bold, but I don't dislike such boldness."
Beside Elara, Caspian turned slightly, breaking away from his conversation, his piercing gaze settling on Lady Olivia. "Elara doesn't need to declare anything. Her place is already assured."
The words hung in the air, heavy and deliberate. Lady Olivia's smile faltered for the briefest moment before she recovered. "Of course, Your Grace. I only meant that it's a striking choice. One that certainly suits her."
Elara held her ground, offering Lady Olivia a calm smile. "Thank you, Lady Olivia. It's kind of you to notice."
Before the woman could respond, a horn sounded, signaling the start of the hunt. The nobles began mounting their horses or moving to join their teams, and the atmosphere shifted into one of focused determination.
As the nobles and commoners began shifting in preparation for the hunt, Caspian turned to Elara and said, "This is where I leave you for a while."
She smiled at him. "Don't worry about me. I'll find ways to entertain myself while we wait."
Lady Colina spoke up for the first time. "Indeed, there is no need to worry, your Grace. We will bring Miss. Elara with us to enjoy tea and refreshments with the other ladies until your return. Rest assured."
Elara just barely suppressed the urge to cringe at Lady Colina's saccharine tone. It was the kind of overly sweet that made your teeth ache, and not in a cavity way, but more like gingivitis. Still, she kept her polite mask firmly in place, smiling as if she hadn't just been volunteered as the afternoon's entertainment for those hungry noblewomen who probably wanted to feed her to a pack of wolves.
Caspian's gaze shifted briefly to Elara, his brow lifting ever so slightly in silent question. She gave a subtle nod. She'd faced Mr. Stultus, two assassination attempts, two meetings with the king and queen, and her continuous existential crisis about being in this world to begin with. She could survive tea with a few—albeit very vicious—noble ladies.
"I'll return before you miss me," he said, the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Before she could respond, Caspian mounted his horse with effortless grace, his hunting party gathering around him like planets orbiting a star. Elara couldn't help but admire the picture he made—regal, composed, and entirely in his element. As the party began to move toward the woods, she mentally added another snapshot in her mental scrapbook. The image of his strong back, his windswept hair, and the regal set of his shoulders would stay with her even after she returned to her world.
Once the hunting party disappeared into the distance, Lady Olivia wasted no time. She looped her arm through Elara's, the move so smooth it almost felt rehearsed. The scent of her, like a honeyed flower, wafted into Elara's nose. "Come along, Miss Elara. The ladies have been positively dying to meet you."
Dying to meet me or dying to bully me?
But she allowed herself to be led toward the large pavilion set up for the noblewomen. It was a marvel of engineering—ivory silk drapes held up by gilded poles, with delicate floral arrangements and tables laden with pastries, fruit, and, of course, tea. The noble ladies all sat around a large ovular table, and right at the center of the table was Lyanna Orinthal whose eyes met hers the moment she stepped in.