My kingdom, buzzed with a delicate energy. The fountains sang a gentle tune, the flowers seemed to bloom a little brighter, and even the air felt lighter. It was all a facade, of course. Beneath the veneer of serenity, anxiety gnawed at me. It had been a few days since… him. Torrance. Just the name whispered in my mind sent a shiver down my spine, a dangerous mix of fear and… something else entirely.
My golden eyes scanned the bustling marketplace from my carriage window. Wilson, ever vigilant, sat ramrod straight beside me, his white eyes constantly assessing the crowd. Isaac, younger and more eager, rode alongside the carriage, his blonde hair catching the sunlight. I trusted them with my life. Yet, I couldn't confide in them about Torrance. How could I explain the unsettling allure of a man who watched me from the shadows?
Today was supposed to be a reprieve. My dearest friends, Harley, Kristy, and Ginny, were visiting for a girls' day. A much-needed distraction from the weight of the crown and the unsettling presence that haunted my thoughts. I needed normalcy, laughter, and the comfort of female companionship.
The carriage pulled up to the palace gates, and my friends practically exploded from their carriages. Harley, Queen of Aurelia, with her vibrant blue hair and matching energy, was the most boisterous. "Issabellaaa!" she yelled, engulfing me in a hug that nearly knocked the crown from my head.
Kristy, Queen of the Silver Kingdom, offered a more reserved, but equally warm greeting. "It's good to see you, Isabella. You look… preoccupied." Her sharp green eyes didn't miss a thing.
Ginny, Queen of the Angelic Kingdom, with her shy smile and nervous fidgeting, was as sweet and gentle as ever. "Hello Isabella," she whispered, her ginger hair catching the sunlight.
I forced a smile. "Just kingdom matters," I said, dismissing Kristy's observation. "Come, let's forget about ruling for a day."
We spent the day indulging in the frivolous pleasures that came with our positions. We shopped for silks in vibrant hues, sampled exotic pastries from faraway lands, and giggled over ridiculous hats. We visited the royal gardens, admiring the meticulously manicured roses and the playful fountains. I laughed with them, exchanged stories, and tried to lose myself in the familiar rhythm of friendship.
But even amidst the laughter and light, Torrance's image flickered in my mind. His piercing blue eyes, the dark intensity of his gaze, the possessive aura that clung to him like a shadow. I found myself glancing at the edges of crowds, searching for a glimpse of him, a confirmation that he was still… there.
What was wrong with me? I was a queen, responsible for the well-being of my people. I should be focused on trade agreements, border disputes, and crop yields, not obsessing over a man who was clearly dangerous.
As the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, we gathered in my private sitting room, sipping tea and gossiping about courtly affairs.
"So," Harley said, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief. "Any interesting suitors vying for the Queen of Northenglades' hand lately?"
I choked on my tea. "Harley!" I exclaimed, trying to regain my composure. "You know I have no time for such things."
"A queen needs an heir, Isabella," Kristy pointed out, her tone serious. "It's your duty."
"Maybe I'll just adopt," I joked, earning a giggle from Ginny.
The truth was, the idea of marriage felt… suffocating. It wasn't that I was opposed to love, I just… couldn't imagine sharing my life, my crown, with someone I didn't truly connect with. And right now, the only connection I felt was a disturbing attraction to someone I barely knew, a man who stalked me and represented everything I should fear.
As my friends prepared to leave, Kristy pulled me aside. "Isabella," she said, her voice low. "You seem… distracted. Is everything alright?"
I hesitated. Could I confide in her? Could I tell her about the unsettling presence that had invaded my life? But the words caught in my throat. How could I explain the way my heart fluttered at the thought of Torrance, how his dark aura both terrified and intrigued me? It was madness.
"I'm fine, Kristy," I said, forcing a smile. "Just… tired."
She looked at me skeptically, but didn't press further. "Alright," she said. "But if you need anything, anything at all, you know you can come to me."
After my friends left, the palace felt emptier than ever. I dismissed my handmaidens and went to my chambers. I stood on the balcony, gazing out at the moonlit gardens. The cool night air did little to calm the heat that burned within me.
"This isn't a soap opera," I muttered to myself. "This isn't real." And yet, it felt undeniably real. The way my skin tingled at the memory of his gaze, the way my heart pounded at the mere thought of him. I had to push him out of my head, out of my life. I was a queen, and I had responsibilities, duties, a kingdom to protect. I would not allow myself to be consumed by this… obsession.