Elara's eyes widened at the sight of the woman before her. She was beautiful—long dark hair that fell in soft waves down her back, striking ocean-blue eyes, tall and slender and carried herself with a pride Elara couldn't quite place.
"Athena?" Elara said, at last, her voice even. "I hate that it is under such awkward circumstances that I get to put a face to the name."
Athena's lips curved in a smile, slow and self-assured. "Are you saying you've heard of me, Your Grace?"
Elara turned her gaze toward the other ladies. "Please excuse us."
The ladies hesitated. Some looked to Athena, as if uncertain who held authority in that moment.
"I would not repeat myself," Elara said calmly.
That sent them moving—reluctantly and awkwardly, but they curtsied and stepped away, scattering like petals in the wind.
Now alone, Elara turned fully to face the woman who had haunted the edges of her marriage.
"If your life is so small that my marriage is your entertainment, then I pity you more than you mock me," Elara said bluntly.
"Oh, I do not mock you, Your Grace —It is only palace gossip. Rumours….that's all."
Elara nodded slightly. "And rumours are what they are and all they'll ever be."
Athena looked at her like she had just seen a goddess. Elara was beautiful, sharp and precise.
"You did not answer my question, Princess." She smirked.
"To answer your question - yes, I have heard of you, but may I add that the words weren't pleasant," Elara said bluntly.
Are you trying to strike me?" Athena subtly rolled her eyes.
"I am only telling you what I know." Elara smiled back.
"And what do you know?" Athena said, stepping closer.
"You've been in my husband's heart for some time," she said. "But that doesn't make him yours."
Athena tilted her head. "And wearing a crown doesn't make you loved."
Elara's jaw tightened, but she comported herself. "You think love is what gives you power here? You forget your place."
"My place was beside him long before you arrived," Athena said, stepping closer. "I know his thoughts. His silences. The way his eyes shift when he's lying. —You only know his title."
"You speak as though he's still yours," Elara said coldly.
"And you speak as though you're not afraid of that possibility," Athena replied.
For the first time, a flicker of something—hurt or fury—flashed through Elara's eyes, but she did not let it stay.
"I have to admit. You are lovelier than I expected, no wonder he hesitated." Athena grinned.
"I'm guessing you speak of your meet-up in the pavilion." Elara raised a brow.
Athena's eyes shot up.
"Yes, I read your little note. Is that why you linger here? Hoping he'll never hesitate again?"
Athena's expression sharpened, though her tone remained silken.
"I linger because I have nothing to hide, can you say the same, My Lady? Or are you just playing Princess to a Prince who will never love you?"
Elara's jaw tightened. "You mistake your past indulgences for power, but you were never meant to sit beside him."
"And yet, I've known his heart longer than you've known his name." Athena shrugged. "However I am generous, and I can share. Do let me know if you need help understanding your husband."
The words struck, and Elara's composure nearly cracked. But instead, she stepped closer, her voice soft and cutting.
"You're clinging to a ghost. Kaelos chose duty, and that means he chose me. You're a story that should've ended years ago. But I see now that no one dared to close the book."
Athena's smile vanished. "It is surprising how you speak of Kaelos as though he fights for you the same."
Elara took a step closer, her voice unwavering. "Well, I am Elara Pendrell. I carry his name. I am his wife. He is my husband. And eventually, he will father our children. So I suggest that whatever fantasy you still have of Kaelos—burn them."
"You may be all those things, Elara…" Athena shrugged. "But I can assure you—you will never have his love. Not the way I do."
Elara's smile was soft, but it cut like a blade.
"Then I pity you, Athena. Because whatever love you think you have… it isn't enough to keep him. And it never will be. You are only a mistress, and even that hangs by a thread, just wait until you are nothing."
Something in Athena snapped. She struck Elara, sharp and sudden, turning her head with the force of it. The garden fell silent. A gasp tore from Elara's throat.
She slowly turned back, her cheek reddened and lip trembling from the sting—but her eyes burned with something colder.
But Athena wasn't done. She seized Elara by the shoulder, her fingernails digging in so deeply that the fabric tore and blood began to bead beneath her grip.
"You don't know him," Athena hissed. "You think you do, but you don't. Kaelos loves me. And you? You're just the one he tolerates—for the sake of the kingdom."
The tension between them crackled until a voice rang from across the courtyard.
"Unhand her!"
A palace guard had spotted the struggle and came rushing forward, hand already on his blade.
Everyone in the garden turned toward the commotion.
Elara shook off Athena's hand, straightened her gown, and spoke with icy precision.
"You just made the worst mistake of your life."
Athena felt the eyes that gazed at her, and then she took a step back.
Elara straightened. Her arm ached faintly beneath the silk of her sleeve, but her voice held steady. Her eyes didn't leave Athena's.
"She was just leaving," Elara said, holding a hand up to stop the guard as he came close.
"But, Your Grace—"
"She was just… leaving," Elara repeated firmly.
The guard stood down, though tension still clung to his posture.
Elara stepped forward, her hand on her stomach. Her voice came in as a whisper, but loud enough to be heard.
"I choose to pardon you now, but the next time you try something like that again. Make no mistake. I will have your head."
Athena said nothing, she stared at Elara, a flicker of anger in her eyes.
"You may escort her off the palace grounds," Elara said to the guard, walking away.
"And may she do well never to cross my path again." She whispered to herself as she went back inside the palace.
The guards grabbed Athena by the arm. "Leave me." She yelled. "I can walk on my own." But they didn't listen to her. They pulled her out of the garden square with all eyes on her.
Elara walked passed Hallel who was just coming to look for her.
"Your Grace," Hallel called out. "I have been.."
"I would like to be alone," Elara said silencing her. "And if anyone bothers me, you will answer for it."
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