Vishendor's unlikely Queen

I woke up early, already prepared for Varen.

I wanted to look perfect_though, truthfully, I already did.

Rushing downstairs for breakfast, I expected to see everyone just rising, but to my surprise, everything was already set. Mother sat at the table, calmly watching me. Across the room, Ariel was heading toward the stairs. One glance at her face, and I could tell she was on her way to call me.

"You look beautiful, sister," Ariel said, stopping close and giving me a warm smile.

"As always," I replied, tossing my hair with pride. We both laughed.

"She's a Morwen," Theron chimed in from his seat beside Daphne, grinning. "We were all born beautiful. Just like Mother."

We all took our places at the table, eating quietly. The peace didn't last.

Daphne broke the silence.

"Anna, I see you've been enjoying yourself lately," she said. There was a sharpness to her voice.

I looked at her, confused. "What do you mean?"

"Well," she continued, "ever since you met Varen, you've either been with him, with Lora, or locked away in your room. You leave me alone."

"It's not intentional, Daphne. I've just been busy… with some important things," I replied carefully.

"Oh? So I'm not important to you now?" She shot back, her voice rising.

"Daphne, you need to understand your sister," Mother said firmly. "And stop acting like a child."

"If you feel lonely, Daphne, you can join me and Varen for training," Ariel offered kindly.

"Never!" Daphne barked. "I'd rather do anything else."

"Then you can help your mother in the shop," Father said plainly.

"But, Father_" she began to protest.

"Not another word from you, child," he snapped.

Silence blanketed the room until we finished our meal.

Not long after breakfast, I heard a knock at my door. I already knew who it was. I stood quickly, adjusted my dress, and walked over to open it.

Just as expected_it was Varen.

"Good day, Varen," I said, smiling softly.

"And how is my beautiful lady doing?" he replied with that familiar, quiet smile of his.

"Come in."

He stepped inside, greeted my parents politely_both of whom looked pleased but slightly surprised_then offered a calm "hello" to my sisters.

After that, we made our way toward the chariot together.

I walked side by side with Varen, his hand wrapped around mine like I was a child who might wander off and get lost.

There was something protective in his grip_firm, but gentle.

I didn't say a word at first. I was just smiling, glancing up at him as he led me somewhere only he knew. The silence stretched, but it wasn't uncomfortable_not exactly. Still, the tension kept building in my chest until I finally gave in.

"Varen?" I called softly, tilting my head toward him.

He looked at me, his eyes kind.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"Hold on," he replied with a quiet smile. "You'll see."

His voice was calm and comforting. But I was never one for surprises_my curiosity burned too quickly. So I tried again.

"Can I please know where we're going? Or at least give me a hint?"

He paused, then turned to face me fully. The moment our eyes met, my breath caught_like the wind itself had abandoned me.

"My lady," he said quietly, "are you scared?"

I shook my head, smiling nervously. I wasn't scared of him—never of him.

"Then just trust me," he said simply, and continued walking.

---

In a few minutes, we arrived at a place I had never seen before. The scent of hay and horses filled the air. It didn't take long for me to realize_we were at a stable. But not just any stable.

This place was serene, almost too perfect to be real.

My eyes scanned the grounds in awe. The horses were elegant, their coats glistening in the light, their movements graceful and proud. Nearby, riders moved with precision_disciplined, trained, almost like dancers with reins in their hands.

Varen had stepped away to speak with a very tall man_someone who smiled often and kept stealing glances at me. I shifted uncomfortably under the stranger's gaze and decided to wander a bit, not too far, just enough to keep Varen in sight.

I stopped beside one of the horses, its mane as white as snow, its eyes soft and intelligent. I reached out slowly, letting it nuzzle my hand.

It was beautiful.

Just like this moment.

I was still admiring the horses, lost in their quiet elegance, when a familiar voice spoke behind me_low, steady, and close enough to send a thrill down my spine.

"I see you love horses, my lady," Varen said, his tone calm and close_too close.

I turned and found his face mere inches from mine. So near that I could feel the warmth of his breath against my cheek.

My heart skipped a beat.

His eyes met mine, but all I could think about were his lips_how perfectly shaped they were, how soft they looked. I tried not to stare. I truly did. But my gaze lingered longer than I meant it to.

Before I could drift further into the thought, he cleared his throat, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"What are you thinking of, my lady?" he asked, voice laced with amusement.

"Thinking?" I blurted, blinking too quickly.

He chuckled softly. "Would you like to share that thought with me?"

"Horses" I said quickly. "I was just… thinking about horses. Yes, Horses." My voice trailed into a whisper, as if saying it quieter would make it more believable.

He looked at me with an amused, knowing smile. "Is that so?"

Before I could respond, he gestured toward the arena.

"The match has begun," he said, his voice still soft, still unreadable. "Come. I've booked seats for us."

We walked to the edge of the stands and took our place. The match had already started_riders racing in perfect formation, horses galloping across the field like thunder_but I hardly noticed.

Varen barely looked at the field. He sat beside me in silence, still and composed, but his gaze never left me_not really. And I felt it. I felt it with every breath.

He wasn't watching the match at all.

He was watching me.