Chapter 20: Unexpected Jealousy

Alina had been avoiding King Thorian ever since their last encounter with Queen Seraphina. The weight of his affection and the Queen's obvious disdain made things complicated. She threw herself into training and fighting, trying to keep her mind off the King's lingering presence in her thoughts.

One afternoon, as she and Lyra were relaxing after a grueling session in the underground arena, a messenger arrived with an armful of gifts and a letter. Alina opened the letter with hesitant fingers, her heart pounding as she read:

"Alina, please come to the tavern this evening. I'll be here waiting and hoping to see you. Yours, Thorian."

Lyra, who had been peeking over her shoulder, nudged her. "You should go. He's been persistent."

Alina sighed, conflicted. "I know. But what if the Queen finds out?"

"That's a risk, yes," Lyra said. "But maybe you need to resolve this. You can't avoid him forever."

Later that evening, Alina decided to go. She dressed simply, not wanting to attract undue attention, and headed to the tavern. As she approached, her heart pounded with anxiety.

Inside, the tavern was lively with laughter and music. Her eyes scanned the room until they landed on the private room where she assumed King Thorian would be. She made her way to the room, greeted the guard, and he let her in. Alina saw the king sitting in a corner, a hopeful look on his face, and not because he had seen her. Her heart sank a little when she noticed another woman at his table, engaging him in a conversation. The woman laughed too loudly and leaned in too close. Alina's stomach churned with an unfamiliar sensation: jealousy.

She approached their table, her steps faltering slightly. Thorian's eyes lit up when he saw her. "Alina!" he exclaimed, standing up. "You came."

The woman beside him glanced at Alina, her eyes narrowing. She asked herself who the woman before her was that made the king stand up to welcome her. Thorian turned to the woman. "Could you excuse us, please?"

The woman pouted but stood up and left, shooting a glare at Alina as she did so. Alina sat down, feeling a mix of triumph and guilt. "I wasn't sure I would come," she admitted.

Thorian smiled warmly. "I'm glad you did. I missed our conversations. I missed you."

Alina blushed slightly and it made the king smile.

They ordered food and drinks, and the tension between them eased as they talked. Thorian shared stories of his youth and his kingdom, and Alina found herself laughing and enjoying his company. For a moment, she allowed herself to forget the complexities of their situation.

After their meal, Thorian took her to a secluded garden behind the tavern. Lanterns hung from the trees, casting a soft glow over the area, illuminating the lush greenery and casting detailed shadows on the cobblestone paths. The air was fragrant with the scent of blooming flowers, and the gentle rustle of leaves added to the serene atmosphere. They walked along the winding paths, their conversation and laughter flowing effortlessly through the tranquil surroundings.

"Thank you for coming, Alina," Thorian said, stopping to face her under a particularly large and ancient tree whose branches spread out like a protective canopy. "I know it's not easy for you, but I really enjoy our time together."

Alina felt a lump in her throat, her emotions threatening to spill over. "I do too, Thorian. But it's... complicated." She looked down, fiddling with the hem of her sleeve, trying to find the right words to convey the trouble inside her.

"I know," he said softly, his eyes reflecting a mix of understanding and sadness. He reached out and gently lifted her chin, making her look at him. "But I'll always be here for you, no matter what." His voice was filled with sincerity and an unspoken promise.

They stood there for a moment, the world around them fading away, leaving just the two of them in their own bubble of time and space. The silence was filled with unspoken words and shared feelings that neither knew how to articulate.

As Alina returned home, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was falling deeper into something she couldn't control. The memory of Thorian's touch, his words, and the way he made her feel lingered long after she had left the garden. It was as if a part of her had been left behind with him, in that secluded garden, under the canopy of lantern-lit trees. But then, Rian.

A few days later, Alina and Lyra decided to visit the market to get foodstuffs. The morning was bright and lively, with vendors energetically calling out their wares and prices. The air was filled with a mix of scents: fresh produce, baked bread, and the occasional breeze of spices. The two sisters walked arm in arm, laughing and chatting, thoroughly enjoying their time together.

They stopped at various stalls, examining the goods on display. Lyra loved to haggle, and Alina watched with amusement as her sister expertly negotiated prices. "Ten copper pieces for a dozen eggs? Come on, you know you can do better than that!" Lyra exclaimed, her eyes blinking mischievously. The vendor, a muscular man with a thick beard, chuckled and agreed to a lower price.

As they moved deeper into the market, they were met with the friendly calls of other merchants, eager to draw them in. "Fresh apples here! Sweet and juicy, just picked this morning!" one woman called. "Handcrafted jewelry! Perfect for a gift or a treat for yourself!" shouted another. The market was alive with activity, and Alina and Lyra thrived in its energy, moving through the crowd, pausing here and there to inspect items, occasionally buying something small.

"Look at these strawberries, Alina," Lyra said, picking up a plump, red berry and holding it up to the sunlight. "Aren't they just perfect?"

"They are," Alina agreed, smiling. "Let's get some. They'll be great for dessert tonight."

As they continued their shopping, Alina spotted the same woman she had seen with Thorian at the tavern. The woman was standing by a stall, gossiping with some friends, clearly enjoying herself.

"Let me get something over there. I'll be back soon," Alina told Lyra as she excused herself from the stall where they were purchasing stuff in large quantities. Alina's blood boiled as she approached the woman.

"Stay away from him," Alina said behind the woman, her voice low and dangerous.

The woman turned, a smirk on her face. "Oh, it's you. Why should I?"

"Because he's married," Alina hissed. "Don't you care about breaking someone's marriage?"

The woman's friends watched them.

The woman laughed harshly. "You're one to talk. I see the way you look at him. You like him too. You're no better than me."

Alina's fist moved before she could think, and a solid punch connected with the woman's face. Blood spurted from the woman's nose as she stumbled back, eyes wide with shock that she couldn't even say anything else to Alina let alone defend herself. Her friends all knew who Alina was, so they did not attempt to avenge them. They just helped to calm her down.

Realizing what she had done, Alina felt a wave of shame. She turned and fled. Lyra who was waiting for her, was surprised as she saw her pass the stall without saying a word.

Lyra entered their cottage and her eyes widened when she saw Alina's distressed state.

"What happened?" Lyra asked, suppressing her shock from earlier on.

Alina walked up to her and broke down, telling Lyra everything. "I hit a woman, Lyra. For a man. I never thought I'd do something like that. I care about him, and it scares me."

Lyra hugged her tightly. "It's okay, Alina. It's okay. You're human. You have feelings. It's okay."

"I know," Alina whispered, tears streaming down her face. "I just didn't realize how much he meant to me until now. And it's my worst nightmare. He's married. He's old enough to be my father. How did this happen?"

"I don't know. I can't tell you that this situation is not dangerous. But one can never be too careful. I mean you tried to ignore him, but you're human after all."

Alina broke down again, speechless.

Lyra embraced her sister, offering silent support. Something was happening and something was going to happen but she couldn’t fathom what it was.