Suddenly, the soft sound of a deliberate cough drifted to her pointed ears. She turned to find Eren standing behind her and Aer, his regal bearing plain despite the gentle smile he wore. His gaze flicked toward Aer, and he spoke in a firm but not unkind voice.
“Lady Sylverlief, you may follow us at a distance.”
Aer dipped her head in acknowledgment, stepping back a few paces. Though outwardly composed, she shot Elle a fleeting, curious look.
Without explaining further, Eren led Elle through one of the archways into the royal hanging garden, a marvel of elven craftsmanship spiraling upward in lush terraces. Verdant vines trailed over the edges of balconies carved from pale stone, while columns bearing delicate, swirling motifs of leaves and blossoms supported the entire structure. Overhead, braided trellises dripped with flowers of every shade, their perfume mingling in the perpetual, sunlit air.
They descended ornately carved steps, passing a fountain at the center of the lowest terrace. Water spouted in crystalline arcs, each droplet catching the golden light and bending tiny rainbows in midair. Roses of every hue flourished here, their petals gently opening in the warmth of Elytheris. Near a walkway shaded by overhanging wisteria, a violet lily burst forth in delicate splendor, while further along stood hydrangeas in sky-blue clusters, no doubt cared for meticulously by the palace gardeners.
Off in the distance, the shimmering spires of a temple dedicated to Aelindra, the Shining Mother of the High Elves, rose just beyond the garden. An ornate walkway led to the temple’s carved doors, where worshippers gathered to pray and reflect in silence.
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Eren paused near a row of crystal roses, their petals cut from glittering quartz. He brushed a finger over one bloom before carefully plucking it from the bush. The midday light ignited the rose from within like starlight pulsing in its translucent petals.
“Elle,” he said, holding the rose up for her to see, “do not get ideas.”
She raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. “Whatever do you mean, brother?”
The corners of Eren’s mouth pulled into a tighter line, and he fixed Elle with a pointed look. His voice remained calm yet carried the weight of caution. “This flower thrives only because it was nurtured and cared for, shielded from harm. Our kingdom is quite like this rose: precious, fragile in some ways, and all the more beautiful for how diligently we tend to it.”
She inclined her head, knowing well the sermon that often followed. “I understand.”
Eren turned the rose thoughtfully between his fingers, then spoke, delivering a reminder he hoped she would truly heed. “We are the protectors of this holy land. We must love our realm as ourselves. Our lives are long. Our memories are longer still. If we allow a careless act, it is remembered with far more vigor than any good we might do.” He paused, letting the words sink in before finishing softly, “That is all. You may go now. Perhaps visit the temple. Give a prayer to the Holy Mother and our parents on my behalf.”
Quietly, Elle drew a breath. She managed a respectful curtsy, feeling her heart tug. “Of course, brother.”
Eren nodded and turned away, crystal rose still in hand. Aer promptly stepped aside as the king passed, bowing with one hand over her heart. With Eren’s footsteps fading down an adjacent walkway, Elle finally allowed herself a soft sigh.
Nearby, another bush of crystal roses glimmered in the same pale sunshine. Elle gently took one of its blossoms, mindful of its glassy thorns. Her deft fingers slid the rose behind her cornsilk-blonde hair.
Aer approached. “Shall we head to the temple, Your Highness?”
Elle looked at the temple’s silhouette in the distance. “Yes. Let’s go. I have a prayer to offer.”
