Chapter 6 - The Princess's curiosity

Dom raised an eyebrow. "Princess Caitlyn? What makes you say that?"

"Her arrival was unexpected, and the priestess said the chosen one is already in the castle."

"Already in the castle?!" Dom asked incredulously, and Lady Talia nodded.

"Does Lord William know about this? This is the first time we've heard a report that the chosen one is so close. Can we even believe such a report?"

Lady Talia sighed.

"My husband doesn't believe in finding the chosen one. Or the prophecy or anything related to that. He is very content with the way things are. You know how he is."

Dom shrugged.

"I don't blame him, Lady Talia. The prophecy has existed for decades, and there has been no sign of the chosen one. A lot of people are beginning to think it's just a story to give people a little bit of hope that our world won't end soon enough."

"But it's not just a story. I believe the prophecy. And Princess Caitlyn fit the description perfectly. She came around the time the priestess announced that the chosen one was in the castle, and she also carries herself with such grace and confidence. She radiates such positive light. She seems… destined for greatness. And my son, Res, her betrothed seems utterly disinterested in her, which is unusual. It's as if the universe is trying to tell us something."

Dom nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "It's possible. The prophecy is vague, but the chosen one is said to be a beacon of light in the darkness. Princess Caitlyn certainly fits that description. But we can't jump to conclusions yet." 

"Will you at least look into it?" Lady Talia asked, her voice tinged with hope. "If she is the one, we must protect her at all costs. And find a way to save our sun." 

Dom inclined his head. "I'll investigate further. But be cautious, Lady Talia. Do not reveal to anyone that you suspect Princess Caitlyn to be the chosen one."

........

After the dinner, Res found himself wandering the castle halls, his mind preoccupied. He couldn't stop thinking about Eira—about the way she had looked in the maid's uniform, about the fire in her eyes when she had confronted him. Why did she fascinate him so much? She was just a slave, a girl from the slums. And yet, there was something about her that he couldn't ignore.

As he turned a corner, he nearly ran into Eira herself. She was carrying a stack of linens, her expression focused. When she saw him, her eyes narrowed.

"Res," she said curtly, stepping around him.

"Eira," he replied, his voice softer than he intended. "Wait."

She stopped, though she didn't turn to face him. "What do you want?"

Res hesitated, searching for the right words. "I… I sent word to your mother. She knows you're safe. She knows you're working in the castle and that Sian is fine too."

Eira's shoulders relaxed slightly, though she still didn't look at him. "Thank you," she said quietly. 

Res watched her walk away, a strange ache settling in his chest. He didn't understand why he cared so much, but he knew one thing for certain: Eira was unlike anyone he had ever met.

...........

The morning sun filtered through the stained-glass windows of Princess Caitlyn's private chambers, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the room. Caitlyn sat at her vanity, her golden hair cascading over her shoulders as her handmaiden, Lysandra, brushed it with practiced ease. Caitlyn's expression, however, was far from serene. Her blue eyes were narrowed, her lips pressed into a thin line as she stared at her reflection.

"Lysandra," Caitlyn began, her voice sharp with frustration, "did you notice how Res looked at that servant girl during dinner last night? It was quite unnerving."

Lysandra paused mid-brush, her brow furrowing. "The one with a permanent scowl on her face, your highness? Yes, I did. It was… unusual."

"Unusual?" Caitlyn scoffed, turning to face her handmaiden. "It was downright disrespectful. Here I am, having traveled across kingdoms to meet him, having broken off my engagement to Prince Eric for him, and he can't even keep his eyes off some kitchen maid."

Lysandra hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "Perhaps he was just distracted, my lady. It's not uncommon for men to be... easily distracted."

Caitlyn stood, pacing the room with restless energy. "Distracted? No, Lysandra, this was more than that. I saw the way he looked at her. It was as if she were the only person in the room. And do you know what's even more infuriating? He barely said two words to me all evening. Me! The daughter of a king!"

Lysandra nodded sympathetically. "It must be frustrating, your highness. But perhaps he's just shy. Or nervous. After all, this is an important arrangement."

Caitlyn stopped pacing, her expression softening as she gazed out the window. "You don't understand, Lysandra. I've known Res was the one for me since the moment I saw him. It was a little over a year ago, at the Grand Ball of Solara. He was standing by the fountain, bathed in the light of the Aether Crystals. He was… breathtaking. More handsome than any prince or nobleman I've ever met. I knew then and there that I had to marry him. That's why I called off my engagement to Prince Eric. That's why I've rejected every other proposal since. But now…" Her voice trailed off, her frustration returning. "Now he can't even look at me. I have thrown it all a way just because of him and he won't even look at me."

Lysandra placed a comforting hand on Caitlyn's shoulder. "Perhaps he just needs time to adjust, my lady. Or perhaps… he needs a little push in the right direction."

Caitlyn's eyes gleamed with determination. "You're right. And I know just how to get his attention."

---

Later that afternoon, Caitlyn sat in the castle gardens, a delicate porcelain teacup in her hand. The gardens were a lush oasis of vibrant flowers and towering trees, their leaves rustling gently in the breeze. Caitlyn had specifically requested that Eira serve her tea, a request that had raised eyebrows among the staff but was quickly accommodated.

When Eira arrived, carrying a silver tray with a teapot and an assortment of pastries, Caitlyn's sharp eyes immediately appraised her. The plain girl was dressed in the same maid's uniform as the others, but there was something about her—something that made Caitlyn's stomach twist with unease.

Caitlyn studied her features with a frown on her face. She had long, healthy, dark brown hair the colour of rich chocolates, despite the fact that she was a slave. Her features were average at best: bushy eyebrows, large hazel eyes, a small nose, and waywardly plump lips. She was thin and scrawny, with very little flesh and mostly bones. Her skin was also naturally tan. Caitlyn decided there and then that she looked better than her. Much better.

"You," Caitlyn said, her tone imperious. "Set the tray here."

Eira obeyed, placing the tray on the table with quiet efficiency. She poured the tea with steady hands, her expression neutral but her eyes wary.

"What's your name?" Caitlyn asked, her voice deceptively sweet.

"Eira, my lady," Eira replied, keeping her gaze lowered.

"Eira," Caitlyn repeated, as if testing the name. "How long have you worked in the castle?"

"Only a few days, my lady."

Caitlyn took a sip of her tea, her eyes never leaving Eira. "And where are you from?"

"The slums of Eclipsia, my lady."

Caitlyn's lips curled into a faint smile, though there was no warmth in it. "The slums? How… quaint. And how did you end up here then?"

Eira hesitated, her grip tightening on the teapot. "I was… assigned to the castle, my lady."

Caitlyn's smile widened, though her tone grew sharper. "Assigned? Or did you catch someone's eye? Someone like, say, Res?"

Eira's eyes flicked up briefly before she looked away. "I don't know what you mean, my lady."

Caitlyn set her teacup down with a sharp clink. "Don't play coy with me, girl. I saw the way he looked at you during dinner. What did you do to catch his attention? Or is it just your... unique appearance that fascinates him?"