{Third Person}
Alexander let her talk.
He listened to every word without interrupting, his expression gradually losing its sharp edge. By the ti she finished, the tension in his gaze had eased.
Then he asked, "Did she have fun?"
"Yes," Elowen replied as a smile ford on her lips this ti. "She did. She fit in really well. My friends liked her... especially after she opened up."
He didn’t respond imdiately, but he didn’t look displeased either.
Encouraged, she continued, "We are planning to go horse riding next weekend. She’s actually really good at it. And fencing too—"
Alexander’s brows drew together faintly. "Fencing?"
Elowen lit up instantly. "It’s a human sport! Like... controlled sword fighting. Precision, balance, strategy—honestly, I think you would like it if you saw it."
He gave a small, noncommittal hum.
After a mont, she clasped her hands together again and blinked a few tis, trying to act cute with him. "So... can I go see her now?"
He looked at her long enough, then said flatly, "So this is why you ca to apologize."
Elowen grinned without sha, neither admitting nor denying it. But her smile and silence spoke volus.
He exhaled lightly through his nose. "I won’t allow it."
Her smile dropped. "What? Why?"
"You apologized," he said calmly, "but you did not promise not to repeat your mistake."
Elowen blinked, then quickly straightened. "Fine. I promise. I will be more careful next ti. I won’t let her drink like that again."
Alexander held her gaze for another second, then flicked his hand dismissively. "Go."
Her face lit up instantly. "Thank you!" she bead, rushing forward to hug him briefly before pulling away just as quickly. "You are the best."
He didn’t react, and she didn’t wait. Elowen turned and hurried out, her energy returning in full force.
Behind her, Alexander’s expression returned to its usual calm indifference. But his thoughts were anything but idle.
Now that Elowen was near Amara, she could be a useful bridge or source.
If there was anything hidden about Amara, Elowen might uncover it without even realizing.
—
On the other side of the residence, Elowen arrived without announcent.
The mont she stepped in, she stopped as her eyes landed on Amara, who was already eating again.
After taking in the sight before her, she asked as she resud her steps, "Didn’t you just have breakfast?"
Amara froze mid-bite, then looked up at her with slight embarrassnt. "The food there... wasn’t really to my taste."
Elowen laughed softly as she walked in. "That explains it." Without hesitation, she pulled out a chair and joined her. "Move over. I will eat with you."
Amara couldn’t help the small smile that appeared on her lips.
Then Elowen spoke again, her tone was softer this ti. "I’m sorry about my mother. She can be... harsh," she admitted. "Especially toward people she doesn’t like."
Amara’s fingers tightened slightly around her spoon. She understood what that ant. Though she had a lot to say about the Queen, she swallowed her opinion for the sake of this one person who had been genuinely kind to her.
"I understand," she said after a mont.
Elowen studied her briefly and decided to let the topic go. Then, she leaned forward slightly, her curiosity returning. "So... how did you survive him?"
Amara’s brows lifted. "What?"
"Alexander," Elowen clarified. "You were drunk, loud, and apparently cursed him out. How are you still alive?"
Amara let out a slow breath and shook her head. "I don’t know. I thought I was done for, too." She hesitated, then added, "I’m surprised he didn’t do anything, even though I had disturbed his sleep."
Elowen leaned back, her gaze appearing thoughtful. "That’s... unlike him." She tapped her fingers lightly against the table, thinking. Then her eyes narrowed slightly in realization.
"He must be really interested in you."
Amara almost rolled her eyes. ’Interested? In ?’
The idea felt absurd. She didn’t even bother voicing it, but the disbelief was written clearly on her face.
Elowen noticed and insisted as she leaned in, "I’m serious. If it were anyone else, especially that concubine living in his residence, he wouldn’t have let it slide."
"...Concubine?" Amara’s jaw fell open.
"Yes." Elowen nodded casually.
"He has a concubine?" Her confusion deepened.
This ti, Elowen looked surprised. "You haven’t seen her yet?"
Amara shook her head. "I didn’t even know there was another woman here."
Elowen leaned back, waving her hand dismissively. "Don’t worry about her. She’s not important."
Then, after a brief pause, she added, almost casually, "Honestly, it’s a miracle she’s still alive. I thought Alexander would have gotten rid of her by now."
That statent caught Amara’s attention. It didn’t sound like sothing the kind and warm Elowen would normally say. Yet that statent carried sothing else.
Before Amara could question it, Elowen clapped her hands lightly, shifting the mood again.
"Anyway, the hunt is coming up," she said brightly as her eyes lit up like the sun. "I’m inviting my friends."
Amara’s expression softened. "That sounds nice."
Elowen smiled, but beneath that smile, there was intent—a quiet, mischievous plan forming in her mind. Because among those friends, Kael would be there. And she was very curious to see sothing.
How would Alexander react when another man showed interest in Amara?
Amara caught the deliberate, knowing smile on Elowen’s lips. It lingered too long for her curiosity to rise.
Her brows knit slightly as she watched her. What is she thinking about?
The thought crossed her mind, but after a brief pause, she decided not to dwell on it. With Elowen, it was sotis hard to tell where her playfulness ended and where her intentions began.
Instead, Amara shifted the conversation. "Will we still be able to go horse riding with the preparations for the Hunt going on?" she asked.
Elowen didn’t even hesitate. "Of course," she said easily, as if the question itself was unnecessary.
"Nothing stops us from going out to have fun. We are not the ones planning the event." She shrugged lightly. "Our only job is to show up when it’s ti... and enjoy it."
Amara nodded slowly, reassured as they returned to their al. When they finished, Elowen set her cutlery down and pushed her chair back slightly.
"I should go," she said, rising to her feet. "Thank you for hosting ."
Amara stood as well. "Thank you for coming."
Elowen smiled, already stepping back toward the door. "I will remind you about the horse riding a day before," she added. "And I will co pick you up myself."
Amara nodded. "Alright."
With that, Elowen gave a small wave and turned to leave, her usual lively energy trailing behind her as she exited.
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