Wish

As the solar disc dipped beneath the horizon, casting a warm orange glow upon the landscape, Kaidën and Elianora sat together beneath the boughs of an ancient tree. The air was alive with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the gentle rustle of leaves, a soothing serenade that seemed to lull the very world into a peaceful slumber.

Elianora's voice was a gentle whisper, a soft breeze that caressed Kaidën's ears, as she spoke. "By the way, Crown Prince," she murmured, her words barely audible over the distant chirping of crickets.

Kaidën's gaze was drawn to hers, his eyes locking onto the shimmering pools of sapphire that sparkled like stars in the fading light. His expression softened, his features relaxing into a gentle smile, as he nodded. "Hmm?" he replied, his voice low and soothing, a gentle brook that flowed through the silence.

Elianora's face was a delicate canvas, painted with the vibrant hues of life. Her cheeks were flushed with a soft pink, her lips a gentle rose, and her eyes shone like sapphires in the fading light. Her voice was hesitant, a tentative thread that wove its way through the silence, as she spoke. "Can I ask you for something?" she requested, her tone uncertain, as if she feared Kaidën's response.

Kaidën's expression turned serious, his brow furrowing slightly, as he regarded Elianora. His eyes seemed to bore into her very soul, as if seeking to understand the motivations behind her request. "Yes, tell me," he encouraged, his voice low and gentle, a soothing balm that seemed to calm the very air around them.

Elianora's words tumbled forth in a rush, a sparkling cascade that flowed through the silence. "Nothing special, I just want to ride a horse with you!" she exclaimed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kaidën's eyes widened in surprise, his expression incredulous. "What?" he exclaimed, his tone laced with astonishment, as if the very notion was anathema to their traditional society. For in their world, women rarely rode horses, especially not alongside men. It was deemed improper, even scandalous.

The silence that followed was oppressive, a heavy blanket that smothered the air. Elianora's face was a mask of calm, but her eyes betrayed her, sparkling with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Kaidën's expression was inscrutable, his eyes narrowed as he regarded Elianora. The world seemed to hold its breath, waiting for his response, as the tension between them grew, a living, breathing entity that pulsed with anticipation.

Elianora's fingers danced in the air, her eyes sparkling with mischief, as she spoke in a voice barely above a whisper. "I know what everyone thinks about horse riding, but I want to feel, just once, what it would be like to sit with you on your horse." Her words hung in the air, like a challenge, or a promise.

Kaidën's expression turned contemplative, his eyes narrowing as he weighed the pros and cons of indulging Elianora's whim. His silence was palpable, a heavy blanket that smothered the air.

Elianora's face fell, her eyes clouding over with disappointment. "Hey, there's no need to think so much," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "Forget it, I just said it like that." She turned her face away, her profile etched against the fading light.

But Kaidën's gaze lingered on her, his eyes burning with a fierce intensity. He knew that Elianora's request was not just a passing fancy, but a deep-seated desire, a longing to experience the thrill of riding alongside him, her arms wrapped around his waist, the wind whipping through her hair.

"Okay!" Kaidën's voice was low and husky, a gentle growl that sent shivers down Elianora's spine. She turned to him, her eyes wide with surprise, her face alight with a radiant smile.

"Really?" Elianora's eyes sparkled with delight, her voice barely above a whisper, as she gazed up at Kaidën with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.

Kaidën nodded, his expression solemn, his eyes burning with devotion. "Absolutely," he declared, his voice low and husky, sending shivers down Elianora's spine. "If my future wife desires this, then I shall make it so. Anything for you, Elianora." His words were laced with conviction, his tone unwavering, as if daring the world to contradict him.

Elianora's face glowed with joy, her lips curving upwards in a radiant smile, illuminating the surrounding landscape. She flung her arms around Kaidën's neck, hugging him lovingly, her body swaying against his, as if seeking to merge their two forms into one. "Oh, Kaidën, thank you!" she exclaimed, her voice muffled against his shoulder, her words trembling with emotion.

Just then, a discreet cough pierced the air, shattering the intimate moment, like a stone cast into a serene lake. Elianora turned to see Prince Uriel Darkhaven standing before them, his eyes averted, his face a mask of polite indifference. Yet, it was clear that he had witnessed the tender exchange between Elianora and Kaidën, his gaze lingering on the spot where Elianora's hands had rested on Kaidën's shoulders, as if branding the image into his memory.

Elianora's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, her eyes darting towards Kaidën, as if seeking reassurance, her gaze locking onto his, like a ship seeking a safe harbor. Kaidën's expression remained calm, his eyes never leaving Elianora's face, his gaze burning with a fierce protectiveness, as if daring Prince Uriel to utter a single word of disapproval.