-One Thousand and Eight Years Ago-
Elodie was in the library, her favorite room within Arthur's palace. She knew that the ball would be starting within the hour and wished to fulfill her desire to read before she would be forced to socialize with lords and ladies of nearby countries.
She sighed heavily, hoping that someone might be attending from the Hallowed City… they might be able to give her some news about the dark activity that had started there two years previously. The dark activity that she wished she could've stopped when she had a chance.
The guilty thoughts prompted Elodie to set down her book, not even bothering to keep the page. The remembrance of the Hallowed City made her weary even now.
Whatever would happen to that city would be her fault.
She was certain of this; but Arthur was not. When she had told him about the demon, he had attempted to reassure her that there was nothing she could've done.
But he didn't understand. Not quite.
"Elodie," said a familiar voice.
Hearing it, Elodie couldn't help but smile. She rose from the chair she had been sitting on and turned to face Arthur, who had just entered the library. When she laid eyes on him, it took a great amount of willpower to not stare.
He was dressed in his most handsome red tunic and fur cape, his beard neatly trimmed and his sky-blue eyes warm and inviting as he looked at her.
"You look stunning," he announced, although his voice was soft.
Elodie blushed. She supposed she looked presentable enough; her golden-white hair had been tied in a most elaborate bun that her handmaids helped her with. And she guessed that her white dress with the golden hem would be sufficient for the occasion… or so she hoped.
"Do you really think this will be presentable enough for such a gathering?" she said dubiously.
Arthur chuckled. "I am absolutely certain. You shall be the crown jewel of all my guests, I guarantee it."
Elodie hoped her cheeks weren't too pink. Ever since she had arrived at the Lord of Petal Meadows' palace, he had been consistently complimenting her, claiming she was beautiful, unlike any other woman he'd ever seen. At first, she had believed he was only doing it because he wanted a mistress, even though he was not yet married.
And yet, as time went on, he never asked for her to join his bed. Not once. Nor had he ever attempted to kiss her; his gestures were always welcome. Holding her hand, embracing her when she despaired over the state of the Hallowed City… never once had Arthur done anything to make her uncomfortable.
"Elodie, I must ask you a couple things…"
Elodie nodded, snapped out of her trance. She was Arthur's friend, certainly, but she knew that she saw him in too romantic a light for her to be truthful in saying that he was only a friend. She couldn't fall in love with him—that was what she told herself, anyway.
And yet it seemed to happen nonetheless.
"The first is this: reports have come to me of a dark power from the Hallowed City… Do you believe this might be the work of your—of the demon?"
Immediately, she nodded. She knew what the demon was up to… She knew that the demon was making her final touches on her tools of destruction, her infernal Crystal Stars.
"I have no doubt in my mind," replied Elodie confidently. "The Hallowed City was once a place of peace, where the most troubling thought within it was how much to buy at the marketplace and for what price. This darkness… it is nothing that city has ever seen before, or will ever see again. I fear that it will be the last thing it sees, Arthur."
Arthur sensed the true worry in her voice and stepped forward. He reached out a hand to place on her shoulder, but Elodie flinched away in shame.
He seemed to know what was running through her head. "Elodie Lancaster. It is not your fault."
"Perhaps you may not think so, but I condemn myself despite your words."
There was a silence as Arthur seemed to register this. She knew he was saddened by her constant dread and shame… but like he did every other time, he attempted to comfort her once again.
"Elodie, there is only so much you could've done. If someone descends to that level of madness, they are beyond help. You could not have done anything for her… by running away, you did the best thing for you, and I believe it was incredibly brave of you to defy her like that. You did what you could."
Normally, Elodie didn't care much for his words. But today, as he gazed into her silver eyes with a specific kindness he had adopted over time, she smiled and truly tried to let herself be at peace. She stood up just a little taller than before and allowed herself to breathe.
Arthur seemed to notice; he grinned. "There you go, Elodie Lancaster. It is good to see you smile and not cry. It pains me when you are sad."
He opened his mouth as if to say something else—but he closed it again and shook his head. Elodie was curious as to what he was thinking about, but she did not ask what it was. Instead, she sighed, "When are your friends arriving?"
"Matthias and Ingrid are traveling from the same land. They shall be here within the hour. Serene prefers the nighttime, and so she shall arrive late. Those three are my closest friends, and the most noteworthy. The rest shall be here around sunset."
Elodie nodded, trying to ignore the swirling in her stomach. Meeting such important people was nerve-wracking—knowing that she was technically a lady in disgrace only made the churning worse.
"Do not fret. They will like you."
"I can only hope you are right!" she laughed, wringing her hands in front of her. Her white gloves were somewhat itchy, but she pushed aside the urge to take them off whilst Arthur was standing in front of her.
"I know I am." His voice was softer than the silk sheets waiting for her upon her bed—which Elodie was desperate to crawl into, to hide from the world.
And yet, Arthur's words still prompted her to relax a little, if only because he would be with her and she was sure that he would help her adjust to all the bustling surroundings. She could not deny that she would be depending on him throughout the night.
"There was something else you wanted to ask me," she recalled suddenly. She didn't even realize she was speaking until the words were out of her mouth.
Arthur raised an eyebrow and shuffled his feet. "There was," he agreed. "But now I must confess I am nervous to ask it."
"You are nervous?" giggled Elodie incredulously. Arthur was so charismatic… he could handle any situation easily. She couldn't fathom why he might be nervous around her, of all people.
Arthur nodded and stepped around her to face her full on. "I am, Elodie Grace Maribel Lancaster."
Elodie blinked. "You worry me by using my full name, Arthur Reginald."
Arthur chuckled and stepped ever the closer toward her, blue eyes bright. "My apologies, my dear. I would never wish to unnerve you."
Elodie's red lips twisted into a smile, partly because Arthur had called her dear, partly because it was obvious that right now, of the two of them, he was the nervous one. She had never seen him like this before… shifting from foot to foot, his hands behind his back, biting his bottom lip. "I know you never would, Arthur. You are exceptionally good to me, and for that, I shall be ever grateful."
"Elodie Grace Maribel Lancaster."
She blinked again. Never before had he said her full name aloud, much less twice… She clasped her hands together and shifted her weight, mimicking his anxious behavior.
Seeing this, Arthur moved forward and grasped one of Elodie's hands. Her silver eyes darted to his pale face—she felt him shaking. Concerned, Elodie narrowed her eyes and placed her other hand to his forehead.
"Arthur?" she whispered, confused by his demeanor. "Are you well?"
"Yes," he answered swiftly, not breaking eye contact. "I am fine. I just…"
He paused and swallowed before lowering to one knee on the ground; before Elodie could realize what was happening, he said, "Elodie Lancaster, I asked for the honor of your presence at the ball today so that I would have the opportunity to ask for your hand in marriage. But now I feel that… this should be a moment that could be just for us."
The words were so fast, Elodie could almost not catch them. Blood pounded in her head and she felt herself turn pink.
"Oh, Arthur," she gasped, her shining eyes locked on his. He was, as always, showing her exactly how he felt: terrified, but also hopeful.
Seeing the love on his face, Elodie felt her heart melt.
"Arthur," repeated Elodie, her mouth dry. "I would normally like nothing more in all the world, but… now, of all times? When my m—when the demon… is gathering her strength to decimate us? I know that is what she intends, Arthur. I know it."
As she spoke, Arthur's face had morphed from terrified to joyous before settling on determined. Confidently, he answered, "Yes, now of all times. I know the outlook is bleak, but Elodie, I would rather be wed to you tonight and die tomorrow knowing I have the honor and privilege of calling you my wife, than defeat the shadow upon our doorstep without you by my side. Ever since you arrived, I have been stricken by your beauty and intelligence. Nothing, be it nature, fear, or another person, could ever compare to you or turn my eye. This palace and these books are petty materials, for nothing is as precious to me as you. If you marry me, Elodie, I will find immeasurable joy, and I shall devote the rest of my life to provide joy for you as well."
Elodie was astounded by this speech… she could only stare at him and smile when he was finished, rapidly blinking tears out of her eyes. Never in the past two years had she felt so light—the guilt that was the constant weight on her mind seemed to lift as she looked into Arthur's face and said:
"Arthur, I am yours. I have been yours, and I shall always be yours."