SWNOVELXO Chapter 31: Meaningful Company
Applause broke out. The noblemen were polite as they applauded his win, but their faces were twisted with so much bitterness. It was as if they'd smelled something foul but were trying to play it off for the sake of prying eyes. Caspian inclined his head in acknowledgment, his expression unreadable as always.
"He truly is remarkable," a noble lady whose name Elara couldn't remember said, her tone begrudging but unable to mask the admiration in her gaze. "One has to wonder how long such dominance will go unchecked."
Elara turned to her, her smile serene. "Dominance? I see it more as dedication. His Grace isn't competing for glory but fulfilling his role as a protector and provider for Isyndor. His success isn't just his own—it benefits everyone."
The noble lady's lips twitched in irritation. "A noble sentiment, Miss Elara. But even noble intentions can cast long shadows."
"Perhaps," Elara replied lightly, "but isn't it better to cast a shadow than to stand in one?"
The applause began to fade as the stewards and servants moved to prepare some of the game for the evening's feast. Caspian approached the pavilion, his stride purposeful as his gaze swept over the gathered nobles before landing on Elara.
"Miss Elara," he said, his voice steady but carrying the faintest warmth. "I trust the pavilion hasn't been too dull in my absence."
She stood, smoothing her skirts with deliberate calm. "Not at all, Your Grace. It's been very… illuminating."
The corner of his mouth twitched, the closest thing to a smile he'd allowed all day. "Good." He turned to the queen, bowing with practiced precision. "Your Majesty, I trust our efforts today have been met by your approval?"
Queen Lyanna smiled, the expression as polished as ever. "More than satisfactory, Grand Duke. Once again, you've proven why Isyndor relies so heavily on your strength."
"You flatter me. I've come to fetch Elara so that we may meet His Majesty and head back."
"Ah, you're not staying, your Grace?" Lady Olivia asked, the disappointment clear in her voice.
"I've done what I came for. Unless Miss. Elara would like to stay?" He looked over at her, his face creasing with amusement as she gave him the most deadpan look. "But I can see that she, too, is tired."
The noblewomen tittered politely, though the undercurrent of tension in their voices betrayed their displeasure at losing the opportunity to further interrogate—or perhaps subtly undermine—Elara. Lady Olivia's fan fluttered dramatically, the crimson feathers catching the light as she tilted her head in what could only be described as a calculated pout.
"Such a shame," she murmured, the fluttering of her eyelashes and the softness in her eyes draining as she moved her gaze from Caspian to Elara. "The time we've spent together here feels much too brief. I hope we can convince you to stay tomorrow."
I almost forgot I've got six more days of this bullshit.
"We'll see," she said with a soft smile. "Meaningful company is often worth far more than time spent."
Caspian's gaze flicked to her, his expression unreadable but the faintest twitch of his brow betraying his approval. Without further delay, he offered his arm, and she took it with practiced ease. Together, they turned and made their way toward the edge of the pavilion, their exit followed by a trail of whispers that seemed to grow louder the further away they got.
As they walked, Caspian leaned in slightly, his voice low enough that only she could hear. "Meaningful company, hm? I'm sure they'll appreciate that compliment."
Elara glanced up at him, her lips curving into a mischievous smile. "I thought it was diplomatic."
He huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head as they approached the royal tent where King Alaric waited, surrounded by a small retinue of guards and a few of the noblemen who had returned from the hunt, all currying favor. The king turned toward them as they approached.
"Well done, brother," King Alaric rejoiced. "As always, you've set the bar impossibly high for the rest of us."
Caspian bowed his head, his response measured. "The hunt was successful, Your Majesty. The spoils will serve the kingdom well."
"And your intended?" Alaric's gaze shifted to Elara, and she felt the weight of his scrutiny settle on her like a physical presence. "How did you find the day's events?"
Elara straightened, keeping her expression calm despite the sudden intensity of the moment. "It was enlightening, Your Majesty. The skills and dedication of Isyndor's hunters are truly remarkable. I can see why the Valtren's Bounty Hunt is held in such high regard."
"Spoken like a diplomat," Alaric said, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "If you ever find yourself bored behind Chirondale's borders, we have a spot open among my advisors you could fill." He laughed. "But I'm glad you've enjoyed yourself. My thanks for keeping my wife company during today's hunt. Tomorrow, the wives will be allowed to participate, I hope to see you catch a few game, Miss. Elara."
Elara's smile didn't falter, though her pulse quickened at the sudden shift in the conversation. Participate in the hunt? She did remember the scene where Queen Lyanna participated in the hunt, but she'd participated to show up Caspian after he won on the first day of the Hunt. There was nothing in the novel about all the noblewomen participating. Had she changed something? How and what?
She had barely survived the verbal sparring in the pavilion—how was she supposed to handle actual hunting, especially in front of an audience that would be eager to see her fail? Still, she inclined her head gracefully, meeting King Alaric's gaze without wavering.
"I'll do my best to honor the hunt, Your Majesty," she said smoothly. "Though I suspect my skills might pale in comparison to those of the noble ladies who've been raised with such traditions."
"Please, don't be nervous. No one is expecting you to do as well as the Grand Duke. Actually, no one is as good at hunting as Caspian. All you need to do is have fun. If killing game is too difficult, you only need to tag along and watch. Right, brother?"
Caspian nodded and patted her hand. Caspian's touch was light, a brief pat that barely lingered, but it spoke volumes to the gathered nobles who were watching their every move like hawks.
"Of course, Your Majesty," Caspian replied smoothly. "Elara's presence alone will add to the spirit of the hunt. She doesn't need to prove herself—she's already proven to be a worthy companion."
The noblemen who had been gathered around the king all shared looks with one another before they turned their gazes to her with renewed interest. King Alaric's smile widened, though it did nothing to soften his features. Elara had the oddest sensation of being a rat trapped in the eyes of a snake.
"Well said," King Alaric declared, his voice carrying. "I look forward to seeing how Miss Elara will manage to amuse me yet again. I'm sure she will continue to surprise."
Elara smiled politely, though the weight of his words was as heavy as a brick in her chest. This wasn't just about her—it never was. Tomorrow was another test, another opportunity for her to either prove herself or fail spectacularly in front of the most powerful people in Isyndor. The king saying he looked forward to her amusing him only meant he saw her as nothing more than an interesting trinket at the Grand Duke's side that he could play with at any time. Watching her struggle pleased him as much as watching Caspian's discomfort.
King Alaric turned to address another group of nobles, dismissing them without so much as a glance. Caspian took the opportunity to guide Elara away from the royal tent and toward their waiting carriage.
As they climbed inside, the hum of the crowd and the distant clang of preparations for the evening feast faded into the background. Elara sank into the plush seat, her hands folded neatly in her lap. It was only after they'd left the hunting grounds behind that Elara felt like she could relax. Her body seemed to grow heavy as her mind relaxed for the first time all day.
"Well," she said finally, breaking the silence. "Tomorrow should be… interesting."
Caspian glanced at her, one brow arching slightly. "Interesting isn't the word I'd use."
"Oh? What word would you use, then?" she asked, her tone light despite the tight knot in her stomach.
"Suspicious, for one. I'm wondering why the king suddenly decreed for noble ladies to attend with their husbands so suddenly."
Elara perked up. "I'm wondering about that, too. In the book, Lyanna participates, but that's because she wants to show you up after your win tonight. She can't have the royal family looking bad, after all, and she's the only person who's as good as you at hunting. But there was nothing in the book about the king asking all the noblewomen to participate. I clearly changed...something..."
She thought back to her time in the pavilion, going back and forth with the queen and Lady Whittle each time the two of them tried to drag Caspian's name through the mud. Now that she thought of it...
"The queen sent her maid off. While we were talking, she summoned her maid and whispered something in her ear. I thought she was doing it for more tea because the maid returned with a bunch of it, but since the king changed his mind so suddenly..."
"You think the queen asked him to do this?"
Elara nodded slowly. "You know Lyanna's opinion is more prized than any of his advisors. He rarely makes moves without speaking with her about it first. Besides, the only thing different today than in the novel was me butting heads with Lady Whittle whenever she tried to disparage you."
For a long moment, he said nothing, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the window as if it held the answers he sought.
"That would make sense," he said finally, his voice low and thoughtful. "Lyanna rarely acts without intention. If she suggested this change, it's not for the sake of tradition or inclusivity. She's testing something—or someone."
"Do you think she knows?" Elara wondered. "About the person trying to kill me? Maybe she's doing this to lure them out and have them finish the job?"
"It could be," he admitted. "But Lyanna rarely does things for a single purpose. You challenging Lady Whittle and disrupting her plans most likely annoyed her. She could be planning something to humiliate you in the eyes of high society."
"Great," Elara muttered, slumping back against the seat. "So, she could be trying to get me killed or embarrass me, and we don't know which. Wonderful."
Caspian hummed his agreement. "But don't worry. Whatever she's planning, we'll deal with. We'll summon Kyran and speak with him about all of this tonight. There's a reason he decided to stay behind, you know."
Elara giggled. "Not for the fresh, roasted meat."
Caspian's lips pulled up in that small smile. "Not solely for that. He and Edris will be snooping for information. Kyran will tell us what they found, if they found anything, tonight."
For all his cool detachment, there was something steadying in his presence—a calm certainty that made the knot in her stomach loosen just a fraction. She actually found that she felt much better about the situation now.
"I hope you guys don't actually expect me to shoot anything. I've never used a bow a day in my life," she said dryly.
"No one expects you to," he murmured. "You're from a different world with a completely different culture. If anyone tries to goad you into it in an effort to humiliate you, remind them of that."
Elara grinned. "Playing the Otherworlder card. I like it."
Caspian's lips curved into a rare, full-fledged smile—brief, but enough to make her feel as though she'd won a small victory. "I'm sure you'll play it well."