The Walk back home felt longer than usual. No one spoke at first.
The palace gates closed behind them with a heavy sound that seemed to echo far longer than it should have. The noise lingered in Elara's mind, as if it marked something final. Something that couldn't be undone.
The streets of Eldoria were alive as always.
Merchants called out to passing customers, children ran between stalls, and the scent of fresh bread drifted through the air. To anyone else, it was just another day.
But for the Thornes family everything had changed.
They walked side by side through the crowd, yet somehow felt miles apart.
Alaric led the way, his posture stiff, his expression unreadable. Serenya walked beside him, unusually quiet. Darin followed just behind, his gaze shifting between his parents and Elara. Elara walked last.
Her thoughts replayed the king's words over and over again. I am watching you.
She swallowed hard, her chest tightening slightly.
The silence stretched. Too long and heavy.
Finally— Darin broke it.
"Are they saying…" he began, his voice uncertain, "that Elara has some connection to the Eldrich village?"
Alaric stopped. Abruptly.
The sudden movement forced the others to halt as well.
He turned sharply, his expression hard. "Don't ask stupid questions."
Darin blinked, taken aback.
"It can't be," Alaric continued, his voice firm, almost too firm. "There is no connection."
The answer came too quickly and final.
Elara stepped forward slightly, her voice quieter but felt steady.
"Father is right," she said. "Both our parents are from Eldoria."
She glanced briefly at her mother. "There's no connection."
The words sounded convincing. It's sounded logical and safe.
But something about that didn't settle the unease in her chest.
Darin frowned slightly, though he didn't argue further.
"…Right," he muttered.
Silence returned. But it wasn't the same as before.
Now it felt… strained and uncertain.
As they resumed walking, Elara's gaze shifted again this time towards her mother.
Serenya hadn't said a word. Not since they left the throne room.
Her expression was distant, her steps slower, as though she was walking through something no one else could see.
"Mother?" Elara called gently.
Serenya didn't respond she kept walking unaware.
Darin noticed it too. "Mother?"
Still nothing.
Alaric's brows furrowed slightly as he turned. "Serenya." That did it.
She blinked, as if suddenly pulled back into the present. "Yes?"Her voice came lightly and quickly.
Like someone trying to sound normal.
Alaric studied her for a moment. "You weren't listening."
Serenya forced a small smile.
"I was," she said. "Just… thinking." But her eyes gave her away.
There was something unsettled there. Something deeper than simple distraction.
Elara noticed it immediately. Not fear, not exactly but something close to it.
"About what?" Darin asked, more cautiously this time.
Serenya hesitated.Only for a second.
"Nothing that concerns you," she said gently, brushing it off. "We should focus on what matters now."
Her gaze shifted to Elara. "We have one week."
The reminder settled heavily between them.
One week to understand something none of them truly did.
One week before the king decided her fate.
Alaric exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair.
"We'll figure this out," he said, though there was tension beneath his words. "We always do."
No one responded. Because this time it didn't feel the same.
No one responded. Because this time it didn't feel the same.
They continued walking until the noise of the city began to fade behind them, replaced by quieter paths and familiar surroundings. Their cottage came into view at last.
Usually, it felt like a place of comfort. A place of safety.
But today even that felt uncertain.
As they stepped inside, the weight of everything followed them. Unspoken and unresolved.
Something lingering, just beneath the surface secrets that had yet to be revealed.
Serenya paused just inside the doorway.
Her hand rested briefly against the wooden frame.
Her gaze distant once more.
And though no one noticed it fully her lips moved slightly.. Barely a whisper.
"…It's happening again."
Serenya paused just at the entrance.
Her hand rested lightly against the wooden frame.
For a moment, she didn't move.
Her gaze seemed distant again. Lost somewhere far beyond the walls of the cottage.
"Mother?" Elara called gently.
Serenya blinked. Then, suddenly, she turned.
"I need to get more grains from the market," she said quickly.
Elara frowned slightly. "We still have plenty of... "
But before she could finish, Serenya was already gone.
The door shut behind her. Too fast and sudden.
Silence filled the room.
Darin looked toward the door, his brows pulling together.
"I'm worried about her," he said quietly.
Alaric stepped forward, placing a firm hand on his shoulder.
"She'll be alright," he said, his voice steady and reassuring. But not entirely convincing.
"She's just… worried."
Darin didn't respond. Because they all knew this wasn't just worry.
Elara's gaze lingered on the door. Her chest tightened slightly.
Something wasn't right.
And whatever it was It wasn't something her mother was ready to share.