The east wing was supposed to feel safe.
At least, that was what Kaelion had ordered.
But safety in the imperial palace was never something that truly existed—it was only something carefully arranged to look real.
Elara sat near the window of her assigned room, watching the guards outside shift positions again. Their movements were sharper now, more controlled. No longer routine patrols, but calculated protection.
Or confinement, depending on perspective.
She leaned her head slightly against her hand.
"…This is getting tiring," she murmured.
And then—
A knock.
---
Before Lina could even announce the visitor, the door opened.
Elara didn't move immediately.
That was already strange enough.
Because only one person in the entire palace entered without waiting.
Emperor Kaelion Virelith stepped inside.
His presence immediately filled the room, as always—calm, composed, slightly cold. Amber-red eyes scanned the space once before settling on her.
He paused.
"…Why are you slouching?"
Elara blinked.
"…Pardon?"
Kaelion's gaze narrowed slightly.
"You are sitting like you are exhausted."
A beat of silence.
Then Elara slowly straightened her posture.
"…Is that better?"
Kaelion didn't answer immediately.
"…Acceptable."
---
A faint sound came from behind him.
Lina was struggling not to laugh.
Very visibly.
Elara glanced at her.
"…Lina."
"I'm sorry, Your Highness—!" Lina quickly covered her mouth, shoulders shaking.
Kaelion's gaze shifted slightly.
"…What is amusing."
That was not a question.
It was dangerous.
Lina immediately bowed.
"Nothing, Your Majesty!"
Silence.
Then Elara spoke calmly.
"She finds your definition of 'acceptable' very strict."
Kaelion looked at her.
"…It is standard."
Elara nodded once.
"…Then I am failing standards regularly."
A pause.
Then—
Lina made the mistake of imagining that statement in a report.
And lost it completely.
She turned away, trying not to laugh harder.
---
Kaelion exhaled slightly.
Not frustration.
Not anger.
Just resignation.
"…Leave," he said to Lina.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Lina practically escaped the room, still suppressing laughter.
The door closed.
Silence returned.
---
Elara looked at the emperor.
"…You came personally just to check my 'posture.'"
Kaelion did not respond immediately.
"…I came because you did not attend morning lessons."
Elara blinked.
"…I have lessons?"
Another pause.
Kaelion stared at her.
"…You were assigned them."
Elara tilted her head slightly.
"I was not informed."
"…You were informed."
A beat.
"…By whom."
Kaelion's gaze narrowed.
"…Lina."
A long silence.
Then Elara nodded slowly.
"…She forgot to tell me."
---
For the first time in a while—
Kaelion paused.
Not because of politics.
Not because of danger.
But because of something far more unfamiliar.
Absurdity.
---
"…That maid is inefficient," he said flatly.
Elara thought for a moment.
"…She is emotional."
Kaelion didn't respond.
Elara added, almost thoughtfully:
"…And easily distracted."
A pause.
"…Especially when she thinks something is funny."
Kaelion's expression remained composed.
But his eyes shifted slightly.
"…You are aware of that."
Elara nodded.
"…Yes."
Another silence.
---
Then, unexpectedly—
Kaelion turned slightly toward the window.
"…You should not rely on inefficient staff."
Elara replied without hesitation.
"…Then replace her."
Kaelion looked at her.
That was not the answer he expected.
Elara met his gaze.
"…If she is truly inefficient, it is logical."
A pause.
"…If not, then she stays."
Kaelion studied her for a moment longer.
Then—
"…She stays."
Elara nodded.
"…Then she is efficient enough."
---
A strange silence followed.
Not tense.
Not cold.
Just… unfamiliar.
---
Kaelion moved toward the table near the window.
Not sitting immediately.
Just standing.
"…You are adjusting too quickly."
Elara blinked.
"…To what."
Kaelion's gaze shifted slightly toward her.
"…Everything."
That was vague.
But not incorrect.
---
Elara leaned back slightly.
"…Is that bad?"
Kaelion didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"…It is unpredictable."
Elara thought about that.
Then nodded once.
"…I understand."
A pause.
"…Unpredictability makes things harder to control."
Kaelion's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…That is one interpretation."
---
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Elara said lightly—
"…You are here often now."
Kaelion glanced at her.
"…It is necessary."
Elara tilted her head slightly.
"…Or convenient."
Silence.
Then—
"…Do not assume."
Elara's lips curved faintly.
Not quite a smile.
But close.
"…I didn't."
---
A faint knock interrupted them again.
Kaelion didn't look away from Elara.
"…Enter."
Lina carefully peeked inside.
"Your Majesty, I brought—"
She stopped mid-sentence when she saw both of them still there.
Then immediately bowed again.
"I will come back later!"
Before Elara could respond—
She was gone again.
---
A moment of silence passed.
Then Elara spoke.
"…She runs away quickly."
Kaelion replied without hesitation.
"…That is wise."
Elara considered that.
"…So she is efficient again."
Kaelion did not respond.
But the corner of his expression shifted ever so slightly.
Not a smile.
Not yet.
But something close to tolerance.
---
Elara looked out the window again.
The palace was still dangerous.
Still layered with unseen threats.
Still waiting for something to break.
But in this room—
For a brief moment—
It didn't feel like it.
She spoke softly.
"…This is the first time the palace feels… normal."
Kaelion's gaze lingered on her.
"…Normal is temporary."
Elara nodded.
"…Then I will remember it."
Silence followed.
But this time—
It wasn't heavy.
It was simply there.
And neither of them disturbed it.