ROYAL BLOOD 👑

Chapter 23: Veiled Secrets

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Elara found Lysander deeply engrossed in his work when she entered his home office. His furrowed brow and the exhaustion etched on his face spoke volumes about the weight of his responsibilities.

"Hey, my love," Lysander greeted her, his voice softening as he looked up from his work.

A rush of affection warmed Elara's heart as she saw the fatigue in his eyes. "I brought you something to eat," she said gently, placing the dish she had prepared on his desk. "You haven't had anything all day."

Lysander's expression softened at her words, and he reached out to take her hand in his. "Thank you," he murmured, his voice filled with gratitude.

"Is everything okay?" she asked softly, her hand squeezing his reassuringly.

Lysander sighed heavily, his gaze drifting to the window as if lost in thought. "The king's men were spotted near the town," he confessed, his voice heavy with worry.

Elara raised her brow in surprise. She had never heard Lysander mention his father's men before. Normally, it was the queen who adamantly pursued matters concerning the kingdom's security. The fact that Lysander himself was expressing concern made her wonder just how serious the problem was.

"How serious do you think the situation is?" she asked, her voice tinged with apprehension.

Lysander sighed, his shoulders tense with the weight of his worries. "It seems my father is serious about hunting me down this time," he admitted, his voice heavy with resignation. "Especially after the accusations regarding my sister's death."

Elara furrowed her brow in concern. "Why don't you just bring Lena to the king?" she suggested. "Wouldn't that make everything easier?"

Lysander shook his head, a pained expression crossing his features. "It's too dangerous," he explained. "If Lena were to be captured, the consequences would be dire. I can't risk putting her in harm's way."

Lysander's words hung heavy in the air, each one weighted with the burden of their situation. "We've already planned our move to unveil the queen's plan," he continued, his voice tinged with determination. "But everything must be done in secret. The queen has informers everywhere, and we can't afford to take any chances."

Elara nodded in understanding, the gravity of their situation sinking in. "I understand," she replied, her voice soft with sympathy.

Elara's heart ached at the thought of Lysander being separated from his sister, his longing for her palpable in the air between them. "Where is Lena now?" she asked softly, her voice filled with empathy.

Lysander hesitated for a moment before responding, his gaze distant as if lost in memories. "She's with people I trust," he replied finally, his tone tinged with sadness. "They're on the move to the capital."

Elara reached out to gently squeeze his hand, offering him what little comfort she could. "I'm sure she's safe," she reassured him, her voice soft and soothing. "You'll see her again soon."

But Lysander's expression remained clouded with worry, his thoughts consumed by the dangers that lurked around every corner. "I just wish I could be with her," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "But with the queen's men always on my tail, I can't risk it."

Elara nodded in understanding, her heart going out to him in his time of need. She could see the pain etched into his features, the longing for his sister written in every line of his face.

As Lysander's gaze lingered on Elara, she felt a shiver of anticipation run down her spine. There was a heaviness in his stare, a weight of unspoken words that hung between them like a veil of uncertainty.