THE SHADOW BOUND CROWN

The carriage rocked gently as it made its way back to the castle, the rhythmic movement lulling its occupants into a state of quiet reflection. Laurien sat across from them, eyes closed, his expression unreadable. Whether he was asleep or merely lost in thought, neither Lysara nor Aurelia could tell. The dim glow of the carriage lanterns cast soft shadows across his face, accentuating the sharp features of a prince born to rule.

Lysara, seated next to Aurelia, remained still, staring out at the passing night. The festival had left an odd warmth in her chest—one that wasn't entirely due to the celebration. Aurelia's laughter, her rare moments of pure joy, had been an unexpected sight. Lysara found herself cherishing the memory more than she had anticipated.

As the carriage rumbled on, Aurelia, without warning, leaned slightly, resting her head on Lysara's shoulder. The contact sent a jolt through Lysara's body, her muscles tensing instinctively. Her first thought was to shift away, to put some distance between them, but as she turned to glance at Aurelia, she hesitated.

Aurelia was asleep.

Her soft, even breaths brushed against Lysara's shoulder, her face serene in slumber. The cold and distant Aurelia had momentarily vanished, replaced by someone vulnerable, almost fragile. The moonlight that trickled through the curtains bathed her in a silvery glow, accentuating the delicate features that Lysara had rarely taken the time to truly observe.

Her pale blonde hair cascaded down, strands catching the light like threads of spun gold. Her eyelashes, long and dark, rested against her fair skin, contrasting beautifully. Her eyebrows, naturally arched and refined, gave her an air of quiet elegance, even in sleep. And then there were her lips—soft, slightly parted, with just a hint of color that made Lysara's gaze linger a moment too long.

She swallowed hard and looked away, a strange unease settling in her chest. Why was she staring? Why did she feel like the slightest movement might shatter this moment? Lysara had always been cold, distant, unreadable. And yet, sitting here, with Aurelia leaning against her so trustingly, something inside her felt unsteady.

The carriage rocked again, slowing as they neared the castle gates. Lysara felt the shift in momentum, but Aurelia remained blissfully unaware, still resting against her.

She debated waking her, but part of her—whether out of hesitation or selfishness—let her be. It was the first time anyone had ever sought comfort in her presence, and though she refused to acknowledge why, she didn't entirely mind it.

The carriage finally halted within the castle walls, the creak of the doors being opened signaling their arrival. As the night air drifted in, Aurelia stirred, her head lifting slightly from Lysara's shoulder. Her lashes fluttered open, confusion flashing across her face as she realized where she had been resting.

Lysara turned her head slightly, only to find Aurelia staring up at her.

For a moment, neither of them moved, the carriage's dim light casting shadows that made the moment feel heavier than it should have been. Aurelia blinked, her lips curling into a slow, mischievous smile.

"Were you staring at me?" she asked, voice still thick with sleep.

Lysara stiffened, heat rushing to her face. "No," she shot back, too quickly.

Aurelia's smirk widened. "Are you sure? You looked awfully focused."

Lysara scoffed, desperate to regain control of the situation. "You were drooling on me."

Aurelia's smirk disappeared, her expression turning into one of sheer mortification. "I was not!" she retorted, hand flying to her face in horror.

Lysara, despite herself, couldn't hold back a small chuckle at Aurelia's reaction. It was rare to see the normally composed princess so flustered, and for once, Lysara enjoyed having the upper hand.

Before Aurelia could argue further, Laurien stirred, finally opening his eyes. He glanced at them both before stepping out of the carriage without a word. If he had noticed anything unusual, he gave no indication of it.

Lysara followed suit, stepping down onto the cobblestone path of the castle courtyard. Aurelia, still grumbling under her breath about 'false accusations of drooling,' soon joined her.

They walked towards the grand entrance, the night air crisp but pleasant. As they reached the main hall, they finally came to a stop.

Laurien turned to them, offering a slight nod. "It was a good evening."

Aurelia nodded, her earlier embarrassment fading. "It was."

Lysara, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction she couldn't quite name, nodded as well. "Rest well, both of you."

Laurien excused himself first, disappearing down the hall towards his chambers. Aurelia lingered for a moment longer before finally sighing. "Goodnight, Lysara."

Lysara nodded, watching as Aurelia turned and made her way down the corridor. Just as she was about to leave, Aurelia suddenly glanced over her shoulder.

"Try not to dream about me staring at you," she teased before disappearing into her quarters.

Lysara stood frozen in place, her face heating once more.

With an exasperated sigh, she turned on her heel, making her way toward her sister's chambers. She only hoped Evelyn was still awake—because at this rate, Lysara needed something, anything, to distract her from whatever this was she was feeling.