Shadows of a Promise

The days that followed felt lighter, though the sky remained grey. A kind of quiet joy slipped into the cracks of Lily's world fragile, like the first bloom after a long winter. Her family didn't speak much about the prince's proposal anymore, and though there was still a quiet sadness in her father's eyes when he looked at her, there was no anger. Only acceptance.

She spent more time near the docks now. Not always with Sam sometimes just sitting on the edge, watching the boats return, the sea stretching endlessly before her like a secret too vast to understand. But Sam was there too, always close enough that she could feel his presence.

He didn't speak as much as he used to. Maybe because he was afraid this happiness wouldn't last. Maybe because he didn't know what to say. But when they were near each other, they didn't need many words.

One afternoon, Lily found herself helping an older woman pick herbs near the woods. The woman, Maeve, had lived in Evermore for decades and was known for her knowledge of healing. As they worked side by side, she looked up suddenly and said, "You've been smiling more."

Lily blinked, caught off guard. "Have I?"

Maeve chuckled, her hands full of wild mint. "Yes. Since the storm, things changed for you."

Lily looked down at the herbs in her hands. "I think I changed too."

Maeve's gaze lingered on her. "Sometimes the storm isn't sent to break us, child. Sometimes it's sent to show us who will stand beside us through it."

Lily smiled faintly. "I've learned that."

As they continued gathering herbs, a soft breeze carried the scent of salt and pine through the air. Lily closed her eyes for a moment, breathing it in. It reminded her of Sam of the ocean, and everything that felt like home.

But peace, as always, never stayed for long.

That evening, just as the sun dipped low and painted the sky in gold and rose, a rider returned to the village. His horse's hooves echoed on the cobbled path, and his presence was unmistakable fine robes, polished boots, and a scroll bearing the prince's seal.

He dismounted near the village square and asked to speak to Lily's father.

The villagers watched in hushed curiosity as he was led inside. Lily, who had been coming back from the stream with a basket of laundry, paused when she saw the royal insignia on his sleeve.

Her heart sank.

Inside their home, her father sat quietly as the messenger unrolled the parchment and read aloud.

"The prince sends his greetings to the house of Halden and reminds you of his generous offer. He awaits your answer and expects Lady Lily to be presented at the capital within seven days, should the answer be yes."

Her father's mouth went dry. "We had thought... she would not go."

The messenger looked up calmly. "That is unfortunate. The prince rarely repeats an offer. Refusal is not taken lightly."

The unspoken threat hung in the air.

When Lily entered moments later, her eyes went straight to the scroll. Her mother's hands tightened around her apron, and her father looked at her with something like apology.

"We thought it was settled," he said softly.

Lily didn't reply.

She was looking at the scroll, yes but in her mind, she saw Sam. His voice. His promise.

But now… she also saw the villagers. Their tired faces. The half-repaired roofs. The children who still shared one pair of shoes.

Her family had accepted her decision. But the prince hadn't.

And now, his patience was running thin.

Lily stood alone near the cliffs that night. The stars were beginning to pierce the dark sky, soft and far away. The wind played with her braid, and the sea murmured below, soft as a lullaby.

She heard footsteps before she saw him.

"Lily."

She turned.

Sam.

His face was tense, eyes dark with something unspoken.

"I heard," he said.

Of course he had. News traveled faster in Evermore than the wind.

Lily looked away, her arms wrapped around herself. "He's sending someone. In seven days."

Sam stepped closer. "You already told them no."

"I did." Her voice was small. "But it wasn't enough."

He shook his head. "You don't owe him anything."

"I know," she said. "But I can't pretend like this doesn't affect everyone else."

"You're not responsible for the prince's pride."

"No," she agreed. "But I might be responsible for the trouble he brings if I say no again."

Sam was quiet for a moment. "So what will you do?"

She didn't answer right away. The waves below seemed to whisper a hundred different answers.

Finally, she whispered, "I don't know."

Sam reached for her hand. "You don't have to decide tonight."

But Lily knew she didn't have forever either.

The next morning, the village felt colder, though the weather was fine. The messenger remained in Evermore, staying at the local inn and walking around like he owned the place. People gave him a wide berth, unsure of what would happen next.

Lily's family tried to continue with life as normal, but everything felt like a pause before something bigger something final.

That afternoon, as Lily sat in the meadow behind her house, sketching wildflowers with a stick in the dirt, her youngest sister, Mira, plopped down beside her.

"Are you going to marry the prince?" the little girl asked, looking at her with big, curious eyes.

Lily hesitated. "I don't know yet."

Mira picked a flower and held it out. "I hope you don't."

Lily looked at her. "Why?"

Mira shrugged. "He's not from here. He doesn't smell like fish and smoke."

Lily laughed softly. "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

Mira wrinkled her nose. "Bad."

For a long time after Mira ran off to chase a butterfly, Lily sat there in silence.

The prince could offer her everything the world called valuable.

But Sam… Sam gave her peace.

And peace wasn't something you could buy.

That night, as the stars came out again, Lily sat at the dinner table with her family. The food was simple just soup and flatbread but the warmth of it, the laughter of her siblings, the way her father ruffled her youngest brother's hair none of it felt ordinary.

It felt like something she might lose.

And she didn't know if she was ready to give it up.

Not even for a prince.

Not even for a crown....