Vishendor's unlikely Queen

The match ended to the thunder of hooves and the cheer of the crowd. I didn't want it to end_not the race, not the day, and certainly not the feeling blooming quietly in my chest. But time moved forward, and Varen, ever the gentleman, stood and offered me his hand.

We made our way outside, the air now softer with dusk approaching. The sky burned a muted gold as the last light of day kissed the rooftops of the city. I expected to stop at the carriage waiting just by the gates, but to my surprise, Varen walked right past it.

"Would you care to walk with me, my lady?" he asked, his hand extended toward mine. His voice was gentle, teasing. "Or… are you rather tired?"

I looked at him for a heartbeat, then placed my hand in his. "It would be an honor," I said, a warm smile tugging at my lips.

With a soft nod, Varen gestured to the coachman to follow slowly.

And so we walked—just the two of us along a quiet path lined with lanterns and whispering trees. The silence between us wasn't awkward; it lingered with something unspoken, something warm.

After a while, he broke it. "Tell me about yourself, my lady," he said, glancing sideways with quiet interest.

"What exactly do you wish to know?" I asked, the blush rising in my cheeks before I could stop it.

He smiled. "Hmm… your likes. Your dislikes. Perhaps the things that make you smile when no one's watching."

I bit my lower lip, trying not to grin. "I love flowers," I offered.

"Do you have a favorite?" he asked, his tone almost boyish.

"Roses," I said quickly. "Especially red ones Their scent is… captivating. But I also love daisies and lilies and_" I stopped when I caught the way he was looking at me. Not distracted. Not polite. But listening. Really listening. And it made my heart race.

"What?" I asked, half-laughing.

"Carry on," he said, that slow, unreadable smile playing on his lips. "I enjoy listening to you."

I looked down at our hands, still gently joined. Then, to shift the attention, I asked, "Why do you like walking?"

He chuckled. "I don't," he admitted. "But I do enjoy walking hand in hand with you."

That did it. The blush I had been trying to keep at bay flooded my face, and I had to lower my gaze to hide the smile breaking across it.

"You have a beautiful smile," he murmured, almost to himself. And with that, I blushed even harder.

I hadn't even noticed the carriage had caught up until it stopped beside us.

"Come, my lady," he said, opening the door for me. "I wouldn't want your legs to ache after such a long stroll."

We stepped inside, and the world outside faded to a quiet blur.

He didn't say much on the ride home. He didn't have to. The warmth of his gaze stayed fixed on me, and though I tried to look out the window, I could still feel his eye and the weight of his presence.

By the time we reached the gates of my family home, I couldn't stop smiling.

And I had a feeling… he wasn't trying to stop, either.

We both stepped down from the carriage as it came to a smooth stop outside my gate. The evening air was soft, scented faintly with jasmine from the neighbor's garden. Varen offered his hand as I descended, and I placed mine in his without hesitation.

He didn't let go right away.

Instead, he walked me to the door_our steps unhurried, the silence between us gentle rather than awkward. Once we reached the entrance, I turned to face him, a smile already pulling at my lips, though I wasn't sure what to say.

"Do take care of yourself, my lady," he said at last, his voice warm and low. "I look forward to seeing you tomorrow."

"Thank you, Varen," I replied.

"The pleasure was mine," he said with that quiet, beautiful smile of his_the kind that made the world around us dim a little, like it knew it couldn't compete.

He gently released my hand, though I wished he hadn't. The space between us suddenly felt too wide, too cold. But his gaze lingered, and so did mine, until I finally gave him a small smile and turned to enter the house.

Once the door closed behind me, I didn't go far. Heart fluttering, I rushed to the window and peeked through the curtain just in time to see him still standing there.

And just like that_he turned. His eyes found mine immediately, as if he'd known I'd be watching.

Caught.

I froze.

Then I gave him a shy wave.

Varen smiled_and not just any smile; it was the kind that reached his eyes, that said he knew exactly what he was doing to me.

He raised his hand and waved back before finally turning toward his carriage.

But even long after he was gone, I stood there, breathless.

Smiling.

I finally pulled my gaze from Varen, the warmth of his smile still lingering in my chest. My cheeks were flushed, and I didn't even try to hide it. I turned away from the window, still smiling to myself_completely unaware that I had an audience.

Ariel sat sprawled on the couch, arms crossed, watching me with barely disguised amusement. Across the room, Theron nursed a glass of wine, a smirk already tugging at his lips.

I froze. "What?"

Ariel tilted her head, her voice dripping with curiosity. "You're glowing."

I narrowed my eyes, trying to hold back a grin. "Am not."

She arched a brow. "Did he promise to take you to war with him? Or maybe he confessed something scandalous?"

I let out a breathy laugh. "No! We just watched a horse race together, that's all."

Theron set his glass down with a soft clink. "Mhm. That smile says otherwise, Anna. I doubt horses are the reason you're still floating."

I rolled my eyes, cheeks heating. "What are you two even talking about?"

"We've been sitting here since you walked in," Ariel said with a shrug. "It's like watching someone drunk on charm."

I tried to suppress another grin, failing miserably. "You're both ridiculous. I'm going to bed."

"Sweet dreams, sister," Ariel called, winking.

"Oh, she'll sleep well tonight," Theron added with a teasing lilt. "If she ever stops smiling."

"You're impossible," I muttered, laughing despite myself as I turned toward the hallway.

We all chuckled together—an easy, familiar kind of warmth settling into the room.

Then Daphne walked past us.

She didn't say a word. Her eyes didn't meet mine. Her expression was unreadable, distant_like she wasn't truly here.

I paused, watching her disappear into the corridor.

"What's wrong with her?" I asked quietly.

Theron gave a small sigh and leaned back. "Don't worry. She'll recover."

Ariel nodded. "She just needs time."

"Now go on," Theron added, waving us off. "It's late. Both of you_bed."

I nodded, though the smile from earlier lingered stubbornly.

Even as I climbed the stairs, I kept thinking of Varen's hand in mine, his voice, and the way he looked at me as though I were the only thing that mattered.

...

After Theron sent both Anna and me off to bed, I decided to wash away the day.

I stepped into my room and slowly began undressing. The night's air was still, thick with the kind of silence that made thoughts louder.

Inside the bathroom, the steam curled around me like a gentle fog. I poured warm water into the basin, watching it rise and swirl. The heat soothed my skin as I dipped a cloth in and pressed it to my neck and shoulders. A quiet sigh escaped me.

But my mind wasn't here. Not really.

It was out there.

At the western border, who would dare trespass? What kind of adversary moved with such boldness yet remained shrouded in silence? What was the general walking into?

The cloth slid over my skin again, but it brought little peace. I tilted my head back and poured the water over my hair, hoping the warmth would wash away the unease clinging to me.

It didn't.

When I returned to my bed, the sheets were soft, the pillows familiar, and the night calm. The moonlight spilled through the window, painting the room in silver hues. But no matter how many times I shifted or closed my eyes, sleep refused to come.

What danger lies ahead?

That question hovered over me like a ghost, lingering long after the lights went out.

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Hello dear readers! 💫

I know I previously mentioned that I'd be taking a break due to upcoming exams—but I've decided not to pause updates after all! ✨

Instead, I'll continue posting new chapters while handling my exams. It won't be easy, but your support has been so motivating, and I truly don't want to keep you waiting too long for the next part of the story.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.💙

— Sussex