Sleep refused to come.
Elara lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, the room quiet except for the soft ticking of the clock.Her eyes closed… then opened again.
And just like that—
He appeared in her thoughts.
Those eyes.That smile.That voice.
My princess.
She frowned, pulling the blanket tighter around herself.
"Why am I even thinking about him?" she whispered to the empty room.
She turned to her side, then to the other.Nothing worked.
With a quiet sigh, Elara slipped out of bed and walked barefoot down the hallway.
Only one place felt right.
The door to her grandfather's room was slightly open.
Inside, the lights were dim.The air smelled of old books and strong tea.
Alexander Ravenwood—the man the underworld once called The King—sat in his chair, reading, glasses low on his nose.
He looked up the moment she entered.
A slow smile spread across his face.
Grandfather:"Ah… I was wondering when my favorite midnight visitor would arrive."
Elara smiled and walked in.
"How did you know it was me?"
He closed the book.
Grandfather (teasing):"Because only you come here when the world is asleep… and only when your heart is restless."
She sat beside him, resting her head on his shoulder.
"I can't sleep."
He placed a gentle hand on her hair.
Grandfather:"Thinking too much again?"
She hesitated.
"Maybe."
He chuckled softly.
Grandfather:"You got that habit from your grandmother. Always thinking, always feeling."
Elara looked up at him.
"Dada… do you believe fate really decides everything?"
He raised an eyebrow.
Grandfather:"I ran an empire with blood and strategy… and still lost to fate many times."
She smiled faintly.
He leaned closer, lowering his voice dramatically.
Grandfather:"Tell me. Is this about studies… or a man?"
Elara's eyes widened.
"Dada!"
He laughed, a warm, deep laugh.
Grandfather:"I knew it."
She sighed.
"I don't even know him properly."
Alexander's eyes softened.
Grandfather:"Some bonds don't need time, Elara. They only need recognition."
She frowned slightly.
Before she could ask more, he tapped her nose playfully.
Grandfather:"Now go. Tomorrow you have college. And I don't want my princess turning into a panda."
Elara laughed and hugged him tightly.
"Good night, Dada."
Grandfather:"Good night, my heart."
Morning came faster than she expected.
At college, Elara met Aira near the entrance.
Aira was already talking—hands moving, eyes sparkling.
"And then he tripped. Completely! I swear, I almost felt bad… almost."
Elara laughed.
"You never feel bad."
Aira gasped dramatically.
"That hurts."
They walked toward their class together.
Aira leaned in.
"New professor today. I heard he's strict."
Elara groaned.
"Why is everyone strict these days?"
Aira smiled mischievously.
"Because fun people like us exist."
During break, Aira tried balancing a pen on her nose, failed, and blamed gravity.
Elara shook her head, laughing.
"You're impossible."
"And yet," Aira said proudly, "you only have one best friend."
Elara smiled softly.
"Exactly."
By the time classes ended, a familiar black car was already waiting outside.
Elara stopped.
Kael.
He stepped out, dressed sharply in black, posture straight, eyes alert.Security stood at a distance.
Aira whispered, impressed, "Your brother looks like he walked out of a movie."
Kael glanced at them—and froze for half a second.
Aira.
Their eyes met.
Something unspoken passed between them.
Aira felt her breath catch.
Kael recovered first, clearing his throat.
"Elara. Ready?"
Elara smiled knowingly.
Aira looked between them.
"I feel like I'm interrupting something."
Kael smiled slightly—just slightly.
"Not at all."
As they walked, Kael slowed his pace so Aira could walk beside him.
Kael:"How was your day?"
Aira blinked.
"Good. Loud. Confusing. Fun."
He chuckled.
"That suits you."
Elara watched them, smirking.
She leaned in between them.
"Should I walk ahead… or give you privacy?"
Aira flushed.
Kael coughed.
"Elara."
She laughed.
At home, later that evening, the family gathered in the sitting room.
Aira sat nervously beside Elara.
Kael stood near their parents.
Their mother smiled.
Mother:"Aira, dear… come here."
Aira stood.
Kael stepped forward.
Alexander Ravenwood entered slowly, leaning on his cane.
The room fell silent.
He looked at Kael.Then at Aira.
And smiled.
Grandfather:"It's about time."
Elara's eyes widened.
"What's happening?"
Kael took a deep breath.
He looked at Aira.
Soft. Certain.
Kael:"Our engagement… was decided long ago."
Aira's eyes filled with tears.
Elara gasped.
"You're engaged?!"
Aira nodded shyly.
Kael smiled at her.
Elara stared at them—then broke into a huge grin.
"Finally!"
She hugged Aira tightly.
"I knew it. I always knew."
Kael shook his head.
"You're impossible."
Elara winked.
"And you're in love."
The room filled with laughter.
Family.Love.Promises.
Outside, the world was dangerous.
But inside—
Everything felt safe.
For now.
If we go back to the past, then we see
The engagement was never meant to be celebrated.
It was decided quietly—behind closed doors, away from laughter and light.
Aira was sixteen when she was brought to the inner hall of the Ravenwood estate.
No music.No guests.Only the elders.
She stood alone, hands clasped, heart racing.
At the far end of the room sat Alexander Ravenwood—
the man the underworld once called The King.
To his right stood Kael.
Silent.Composed.Watching.
Alexander studied Aira carefully.
Grandfather:"You know why you're here."
Aira nodded slowly.
"Yes, sir."
Her voice didn't shake.
That alone impressed him.
"She has her mother's strength," one of the elders murmured.
Alexander turned to Kael.
"Step forward."
Kael obeyed.
"This is not romance," Alexander said firmly.
"This is protection. Loyalty. Blood."
Kael met his gaze.
"I understand."
Alexander's eyes sharpened.
"If danger reaches her?"
"I will stand in front of it."
"If she refuses this life?"
"I will never force her."
Silence.
Then Alexander nodded.
He looked back at Aira.
"Child… do you accept this bond, knowing it may cost you peace?"
Aira lifted her chin.
"I accept it," she said quietly."But not out of fear."
That answer earned her a rare smile.
Alexander stood.
"Then the promise is sealed."
No rings were exchanged.No pictures taken.
Only words.
Only honor.
If we come back to the present,
Kael stopped pacing.
The name struck him suddenly—hard enough to steal the air from his lungs.
That man… that smile… that mark.
His jaw tightened.
Without wasting another second, Kael turned and walked straight toward the most guarded room of the house.
The door to Alexander Ravenwood's study was open.
The old man stood near the window, hands resting on his cane, staring into the darkness outside—as if the past lived there.
"Dada," Kael said firmly.
Alexander turned.
One look at Kael's face told him everything.
"You remembered something," he said calmly.
Kael stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
"There was a man," Kael began.
"The one I told you about earlier."
Alexander gestured for him to continue.
"He wasn't ordinary," Kael said."Tall. Broad shoulders. Black hair. Black eyes. Cold posture—but controlled. And there was a mark on his neck."
Alexander's grip tightened on the cane.
Kael swallowed.
"A mark that only our bloodline carries."
Silence filled the room.
Kael continued, his voice lower now.
"He called Elara my princess."
That was enough.
Alexander closed his eyes slowly.
"Adrian," he said."Adrian Blackwood."
Kael stiffened.
"So you believe it's him too?"
Alexander turned back, eyes sharp despite his age.
"I don't believe," he said quietly."I know."
Kael exhaled heavily.
"But Dada… he isn't from our direct family branch. He was separated years ago."
Alexander nodded.
"By choice," he replied."By blood… he is still mine."
Kael clenched his fists.
"I'm worried," he admitted.
"Part of me wants my friend back.And another part…"His voice cracked slightly."…fears for my sister."
Alexander watched him carefully.
"Because Elara doesn't know the truth."
Kael nodded.
"She's still studying—medical final year.If she finds out everything suddenly—about him, about her nikah, about the world we belong to—What will happen to her?"
Alexander walked slowly toward his chair and sat down.
"For years," he said,"I have not seen Adrian.Not once."
Kael looked at him.
"I wonder what kind of man he has become."
Alexander smiled faintly—sadly.
"My child," he said softly,"I believe he has completed his mission.
That is why he has returned."
Kael looked up sharply.
"You think so?"
"Yes," Alexander replied."He would never come back unfinished."
Kael ran a hand through his hair.
"I don't want Elara caught between past and present," he said."She is our light. Our ladli.
We raised her with love… not shadows."
Alexander nodded slowly.
"That is true."
He paused, then spoke again—his voice gentler now.
"But her studies are almost complete.One more year.Then internship."
Kael looked away.
Alexander continued.
"Daughters," he said quietly,"Do not stay forever with their parents, beta.No matter how protected they are…One day, they step into a new life."
Kael's chest felt heavy.
"We need to prepare her," Alexander said."Not with fear.With truth."
Kael looked back at him.
"And Adrian?"
Alexander's eyes darkened slightly.
"I will meet him myself."
Kael's eyes widened.
"Dada—"
"He is my blood," Alexander interrupted calmly."And blood deserves answers."
Outside, the night grew deeper.
Somewhere in the city,The past had already begun to move.
And Elara—unaware, innocent—stood at the edge of a truth that would change everything.