Star followed Advisor Thorne through the winding halls, his mind still buzzing from the night before. The rebel woman's words... Mira's warnings... they stuck like glue. But Elandor's eyes in that cellar, full of worry... that felt real too. He shook his head, trying to focus. Etiquette lessons? Sounded boring. Bowing, talking fancy... ugh. He was a farm boy, not some polished lord.
Thorne pushed open a door to a sunny room filled with tables, chairs, and stacks of books. "Here we are," he said, his mask hiding any expression. "Lady Elara will teach you the basics. Don't embarrass yourself... or the king."
Star nodded, stepping in. Lady Elara was an older woman, tall and strict-looking, with gray hair in a tight bun and a dress that rustled like leaves. She eyed him up and down. "Star Farewater... the consort-to-be. Sit. We have much work."
The lesson started slow. How to bow... deep for the king, shallow for nobles. How to hold a fork... not like a shovel, she snapped. Star fumbled, dropping utensils more than once. "This is stupid," he muttered. "Back home, we eat with hands if we want."
Elara sighed. "Manners make the man... or the consort. The court watches everything. One slip, and they pounce."
By midday, Star's head ached. He learned phrases like "Your Grace" and "As you wish." But his thoughts wandered to the prophecy book... the secrets. When Elara finally dismissed him for lunch, he felt like escaping again.
A guard escorted him back to his quarters, but halfway, another figure appeared. Elandor... in simple tunic and pants, no royal flair. "Star... walk with me? Privately."
Star hesitated, but nodded. They slipped into a side garden, smaller than the main one, with hedges forming mazes and benches hidden away. Birds sang softly, the air sweet with blooming jasmine. Elandor led him to a secluded spot under a willow tree, its branches drooping like curtains.
"Sit," the king said, gesturing to the grass. Star plopped down, cross-legged like back home. Elandor joined him, looking almost normal... like Eli again.
"Why the secret spot?" Star asked, picking at a blade of grass. "Afraid of more rebels?"
Elandor shook his head. "No... I just wanted to talk. Really talk. About why I chose you."
Star's heart skipped. "Okay... spill it. No more half-truths."
The king took a deep breath, staring at the ground. "That day in the forest... it changed me. I was ten, running from my life. Tutors yelling, father demanding perfection. I hated being a prince. Then I met you... laughing, free. You treated me like a friend, not a title."
Star remembered... building dams in the stream, sharing stories. "Yeah... you said your pa was strict. Never mentioned he was the king."
"I couldn't," Elandor said softly. "But that day... it was the happiest. We promised to meet again, but guards found me. Dragged me back. I searched for years... asked scouts to look for a boy named Star in the villages."
Star's eyes widened. "You... stalked me?"
"Not like that," Elandor protested. "I just... never forgot. When I became king at eighteen... after father's death... I was alone. Court full of schemers. I needed someone real. Then the prophecy came up... a consort from the people. It clicked. You."
Star felt a mix of warmth and anger. Warmth from the memory... anger from the choice. "So you picked me deliberately? Not fate... just your old crush or whatever?"
Elandor's cheeks flushed. "It's more than that. The prophecy fits... your birthmark, the stars. But yes... I chose you because I trust you. Love you, even... from afar."
Love? Star's face heated. "Whoa... slow down. We met once as kids! You can't just decide my life because of some nostalgic feeling. That's manipulation!"
Elandor looked hurt. "Manipulation? No... I thought you'd be happy. Escape the farm, live in luxury. Help the kingdom."
"Happy?" Star stood up, pacing. "You ripped me from my home! My family... my simple life. I was content, you know? Now I'm stuck in this snake pit, with rebels kidnapping me and nobles sneering. And for what? Your lonely heart?"
The king rose too, voice rising. "It's not just me! The kingdom needs stability. Wars brewing... the prophecy says a union like this brings peace. I didn't force you for fun!"
"Oh, sure," Star shot back, hands on hips. "Hide behind prophecies. But Mira said it's to topple you... that you're the corrupt one."
Elandor's eyes flashed. "Mira? That rebel liar? She twists everything. My father was poisoned, yes... but by people like her guild! They're the ones causing chaos."
"Maybe," Star admitted. "But you still lied. Omitted stuff. How can I trust you?"
They stood close now, breaths heavy. Tension crackled like storm air. Elandor's green eyes bored into Star's blue ones. "Because... I remember everything. How you shared your lunch when I had none. How you made me laugh till my sides hurt. That's real, Star. Not lies."
Star's anger softened a bit. He remembered too... Eli's shy smile, the way he lit up talking about stars. "Fine... it was real then. But now? This consort thing... it's too much. I feel trapped."
Elandor reached out, touching Star's arm. The contact sent shivers. "Give it time. Please. Let me show you the good side."
Star didn't pull away. That warmth... it stirred something. Memories rekindled, yes... but also new feelings. Scary ones. "One week," he said finally. "I'll stay one week. Learn more. Then decide."
Elandor smiled, relief washing over. "Thank you. You won't regret it."
They sat again, tension easing. Elandor shared more stories... his life as king, the burdens. Star opened up about farm life, the joys and hardships. Laughter came, light and easy. For a moment, it felt like the forest again.
But as sun dipped low, a servant interrupted. "Your Majesty... council meeting."
Elandor stood, offering a hand to pull Star up. Their fingers lingered. "See you at dinner?"
Star nodded, heart fluttering. "Yeah..."
Alone, Star wandered back, mind whirling. Argument over... but feelings sparked. Was it manipulation? Or destiny? He touched his arm where Elandor had... warm still.
In his room, Lila brought clothes for dinner. "You look flushed," she teased. "King got to you?"
"Shut up," Star grumbled, but smiled. Maybe... just maybe... this wasn't all bad.
Little did he know, eyes watched from shadows. Lord Varyn, scar on cheek, smirked in a hidden place. "The peasant argues with the king? Perfect... time to stir the pot."
The rekindled memories burned bright... but danger loomed, ready to fan the flames.