The morning light filtered through the fancy curtains in Star's room, waking him from a fitful sleep. He groaned, rolling over on the soft bed that still felt too good to be true. His head pounded from all the thinking last night... the journey, the king, that weird pull in his chest. He sat up, rubbing his eyes. The letter opener was still clutched in his hand, hidden under the pillow. Escape plan? Yeah, right. He hadn't even tried it after Elandor left. Too scared... or too curious?
A knock echoed at the door, sharp and insistent. "Who is it?" Star called, his voice croaky from sleep.
"Breakfast, my lord," came a muffled reply. The same maid from last night pushed in with a tray loaded with eggs, bacon, fresh fruits, and steaming tea. She set it on a small table by the window, curtsying awkwardly. "His Majesty requests your presence after you eat. In the grand hall."
Star's stomach flipped. More meetings? "Thanks... uh, what's your name?"
"Lila," she said with a quick smile. "Eat up. You look like you need it." She glanced at his rumpled clothes. "There's fresh ones in the wardrobe. Fit for a consort."
He waited until she left before digging in. The food was heavenly... fluffy eggs that melted in his mouth, bacon crispy and salty. Better than anything back home. But each bite reminded him this wasn't his life. He was a prisoner in silk. After eating, he poked through the wardrobe. Tunics of fine cloth, pants that felt like clouds, boots polished to shine. He picked a simple blue outfit, ignoring the flashy ones with gold trim. No way was he dressing like a peacock.
Dressed and somewhat ready, Star stepped out. Two guards snapped to attention. "This way," one said, leading him down the halls. The palace was even more overwhelming in daylight. Sun streamed through tall windows, lighting up murals of battles and kings. Servants bowed as he passed, whispering. "The farmer consort..." "So young..." Star's cheeks burned. He muttered under his breath, "Why me? This is all wrong."
They reached massive gates carved with lions and crowns... the entrance to what looked like the heart of the palace. The guards pushed them open, revealing a courtyard bustling with people. Nobles in fancy robes chatted in groups, horses clopped on stone paths, and in the center, a fountain sprayed water high. Star's eyes widened. It was like stepping into a dream... or a nightmare.
"Wait here," the guard said, leaving him by a bench. Star sat, fidgeting. People stared, some smirking. A group of young lords nearby laughed loudly. "Look at him... dirt under his nails still? The king must be joking."
Star clenched his fists. Ignore them. He wasn't staying long enough to care. But deep down, doubt crept in. What if he couldn't reject? What if the king... Eli... wouldn't let him go?
A shadow fell over him. Star looked up to see a tall figure in a dark cloak, face hidden by a mask that covered the eyes. The advisor? He had a slim build, voice smooth like oil. "Star Farewater... the chosen one. Welcome to your new home."
Star stood, wary. "Who are you? And it's not my home. I'm leaving as soon as I talk to the king again."
The masked man chuckled softly. "I am Advisor Thorne. I serve His Majesty closely. And leaving? Oh, dear boy... that's not how this works." He leaned in, his mask glinting in the sun. "You were chosen for a reason deeper than you know. A connection... from long ago."
Star's heart raced. "What do you mean? The forest thing? How do you know about that?"
Thorne tilted his head. "The king confides in me. That day in the woods... it wasn't chance. Fate wove your paths. And now, the prophecy demands it. A consort from humble roots to balance the crown's power."
"Prophecy again?" Star scoffed, but his voice shook. "Sounds like excuses. I demand to see the king now. Tell him I reject this... all of it!"
Thorne's lips curved into a smile that didn't reach his hidden eyes. "Demand? Bold for a farmer. But very well... follow me." He turned, cloak swirling, leading Star through the courtyard gates into another wing of the palace.
As they walked, Thorne talked in low tones. "The court is not kind to outsiders. Watch your back. Lord Varyn, for one... he wanted his kin as consort. Jealousy runs deep here."
Star nodded, remembering Lila's warning. The halls grew grander, with statues of old rulers staring down. He felt small... tiny in this world of stone and secrets. "Why tell me this? You don't even know me."
"I know enough," Thorne said. "The king sees something in you. Purity... loyalty. Don't waste it." He stopped at a side door. "Through here. His Majesty awaits in the private gardens."
Star pushed the door open, stepping into a paradise of flowers and paths. Birds chirped, a breeze carried sweet scents. In the middle, under a gazebo, sat Elandor. No crown today, just casual robes, reading a book. He looked up, green eyes lighting up. "Star... good morning."
Star marched over, ignoring the beauty. "We need to talk. Now. I can't do this. Send me home."
Elandor set the book down, sighing. "Sit. Please." He gestured to a seat across from him. Reluctantly, Star sat, the cushioned chair too comfy. "I know it's a shock. But give it a chance. The palace isn't all bad."
"It's not about bad or good," Star said, leaning forward. "It's about my life. I was happy on the farm. Content. Why drag me here?"
Elandor's face softened. "Because I never forgot you. After that day in the forest, I searched. When I became king... young, alone... I needed someone real. Not these fake courtiers."
Star's anger faltered. He saw the loneliness in those eyes... the same boy who had cried about his strict tutors back then. "But consort? That means... marriage. Sharing everything. I'm not... I don't know if I can."
Elandor reached out, hesitating before touching Star's hand. The contact sent a spark up his arm. Warm... electric. "We can take it slow. No rush. Just... stay a while. Learn the truth."
Star pulled back, confused by the flutter in his chest. "What truth?"
"About the prophecy," Elandor said. "An old seer foretold a union like this to stop a coming darkness. War brews on the borders. Your blood... humble, pure... it's key."
Star laughed bitterly. "Me? Save the kingdom? I'm just a guy who plants crops."
"You're more," Elandor insisted. "Remember our promise? Together forever."
That hit hard. Star looked away, at the blooming roses. Part of him wanted to run... but another part whispered to stay. See what this was.
Before he could answer, shouts echoed from the palace. Guards running. "Intruder!" someone yelled.
Elandor jumped up. "Stay here!" But Star followed, heart pounding. In the courtyard, chaos. A masked figure... not Thorne... fighting guards with a dagger.
The intruder spotted them, throwing something... a smoke bomb? Clouds billowed, stinging eyes.
In the confusion, strong arms grabbed Star. "Come with me if you want answers," a voice hissed.
Star struggled. "Let go!" But the world spun, and darkness took him.
When he woke, he was in a dim room, tied to a chair. The intruder unmasked... a woman with sharp features. "Who are you?" Star demanded.
"Your ally," she said. "Against the king. He didn't tell you everything... about the real prophecy."
Star's mind reeled. What now? Was Elandor lying? Or was this a trap? The gates of destiny had opened wide... and danger lurked behind them.