Chapter Fourteen
Prince Eryx and Lady Tara strolled through a secluded garden, the soft crunch of gravel beneath their feet the only sound breaking the serene silence. The garden was redolent with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the gentle hum of crickets, creating a peaceful ambiance.
They settled onto a bench, the worn wood creaking softly as they sat. Tara, who had been watching him carefully, finally broke the silence.
"Eryx," she began, her gaze meeting his, "you need to be cautious around your uncle. Today was proof of the lengths he'll go to manipulate you. You have to stand your ground. Show him you can make your own decisions—without him pulling the strings."
Eryx exhaled slowly, his eyes darkening with the weight of her words. "I know," he murmured, the hint of a frown crossing his features. "It's just... not easy with him always hovering."
His tone was quiet but intense, the weight of his inner struggle visible. The light breeze ruffled his hair, and he reached up to push it back from his forehead before turning to face her more fully. "But... I'll try."
Tara nodded, her expression softening with understanding, though her gaze never wavered from his. "You're capable, Eryx. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
The prince shifted closer, a subtle movement that seemed to charge the air between them. Tara felt her heart skip a beat, and she involuntarily straightened her back, her eyes flicking to their hands, where he now gently grasped hers. The warmth of his touch sent a flutter through her chest, but she kept her composure, her mind racing.
"Speaking of decisions," Prince Eryx said, his voice taking on a softer tone, "I have a question for you, one that's been on my mind for some time."
He shifted even closer, his proximity sudden, and for a moment, Tara was caught off guard. She held her breath, unsure of what was coming. Her pulse quickened. She had not expected this, had not prepared herself for the turn the conversation was taking.
"Tara Everly, would you grant me the honor of courting you?" he asked, his eyes shining with sincerity. "Would you be my guide, my partner in training, and my companion as I navigate my responsibilities as future king? I value your opinion and your friendship above all else."
Lady Tara's mind reeled as she processed his words. She felt like she'd been punched in the chest, her breath caught in her throat. The world around her seemed to slow down, and all she could focus on was Prince Eryx's expectant face. She took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. When she finally spoke, her voice was barely above a whisper.
"Our friendship means everything to me, Eryx," she said, her words trembling slightly. "I'm honored by your regard, but I must admit, I didn't foresee this. I need time to think, and I wouldn't want to make a decision without your uncle's approval."
Prince Eryx nodded understandingly, his smile gentle.
"I'll speak with your family tomorrow and seek my uncle's approval," he said. "You're the one person who truly understands me, Tara. I'm confident he'll see the value in our relationship."
Lady Tara's heart skipped another beat as she met Prince Eryx's gaze. She felt a flutter in her chest, with emotions swirling within her. She couldn't deny the connection between them, but she needed time to process her feelings and consider the implications of a romantic relationship with the future king.
The following day, as dawn broke over the kingdom, Prince Eryx and his uncle, Lord Alistair, stood, near their carriage, ready to embark on their journey They were preparing to embark on the journey to the Everly estate to meet with Lord Everly, Tara's father, and formally seek his approval for the prince's courtship. Eryx's heart raced with anticipation, though there was an undercurrent of nervousness—he had never been in this situation before. He glanced at his uncle, who was adjusting his robes and checking his surroundings.
The sound of approaching footsteps drew Eryx's attention, and a young servant from the Everly household emerged from the palace's entrance. Normally, the servant was cheerful, his steps light, always a smile on his face when he came to fetch Lady Tara or deliver a message. But today, something was different. His expression was clouded, his shoulders slumped as though carrying a heavy burden.
"Ah, good morning, lad," Lord Alistair greeted, though his tone was casual, unaware of the servant's somber mood.
The servant, without a word, handed a parchment to Lord Alistair as his eyes cast downward. Eryx, sensing the tension in the air, felt his stomach tighten. He knew the young man well and had never seen him so subdued.
Alistair raised an eyebrow at the seal on the parchment. It bore the Everly family signet, a mark that signified it was meant for someone of high rank. He broke the wax seal with a sharp motion and unfurled the letter, his eyes scanning the words quickly.
He paused, his face falling as he read the contents. Eryx's heart began to pound, a sinking feeling building in his chest. He took a small step forward, as though something deep inside him warned him that this was not going to be good news.
Alistair cleared his throat and, after a moment of heavy silence, began to read aloud in a voice thick with disbelief. "To His Highness, Prince Eryx Darius, and the Royal House of Drakmara, we regret to inform you of the untimely death of Lady Tara Everly, daughter of Lord Everly, who passed from this world yesterday evening. The cause of her passing is sudden and has come as a great shock to us all."
The words seemed to hang in the air like a dreadful weight. Eryx's breath caught in his throat as the last sentence faded. His vision blurred, and the sound of his heart pounding was all that remained in his ears. He looked at the servant, whose face was drained of all color, his eyes cast downward in shame, as if he himself had been the one to deal the blow.
"No," Eryx muttered under his breath. His voice trembled as the reality of the words sank in. "That can't be true."
Lord Alistair looked down at the prince, his brow furrowed with concern. "Eryx—"
But the prince was already moving. He turned sharply and stormed away from the carriage, his steps quick and purposeful, though there was no clear destination in his mind. He was aware only of the agony that was seizing his chest, the suffocating pain that threatened to break him in two. His mind was a blur, flashes of Tara's smile, her laughter, the way she had stood by his side through so much, all of it spinning uncontrollably in his head.
He didn't care who was watching. He didn't care what his uncle or the servants thought. His entire world felt like it was crashing down around him, and he had to get away.
Prince Eryx ran, leaving his uncle and the servant behind. He burst into his chamber, slamming the door shut behind him and locking it. The sound of his own sobs filled the room as he slumped to the floor, his back against the door.
"Tara…" His voice broke as he whispered her name, the sound of it tearing through him like a physical blow. He had barely begun to express his feelings to her, to tell her how deeply he cared. They had shared a bond, a quiet connection, and now she was gone—ripped away from him without warning.
He buried his face in his hands, tears streaming down his face as he mourned the loss of the woman he loved. The pain was overwhelming, a crushing weight that threatened to consume him whole. Lady Tara, his friend, his confidante, his love – gone, leaving him with only memories and a future filled with emptiness.