Forbidden Love

ELARA'S POV:

Elara entered The Enchanted Glade, close to the Whispering Groves. Her heart was still racing from her daring escape.

"The air feels so free here," she thought, feeling a burst of liberty.

Looking around, she saw leaves gently swaying. She smelled the earthy forest smell, and noticed the bright flower colors.

The man in the cloak and the strange Umbrathrax creature were still on her mind.

"Why did he make me feel like this?" she grumbled to herself, her voice showing how annoyed she was.

Elara had always been so sure of herself. The strange person had really thrown her off.

"I won't let him or anyone else control how I feel," she declared firmly.

She gave her head a strong shake as if to emphasize her point.

As she stood alone, the gentle breeze brushed her skin, yet a sense of unease lingered.

Her instincts flared, and she sensed eyes on her, a stranger watching from the shadows.

"Could that be the cloaked man?" she whispered, her heart racing at the thought of encountering him again.

Memories of the Veridian guards appearing and the stranger's disappearance flooded her mind.

'Maybe he was a criminal hiding from the guards.'

Looking back at the tree, she squinted, seeing the glint of metal in the figure's clothes, unlike a cloak.

'It was similar to the Veridian guards' shining armor.'

"Why hide? Why follow me?" she called out with a hint of defiance. "Hey, you there!"

No response came as the mysterious figure remained concealed.

Elara decided to continue on her way, but her steps didn't shake off the persistent follower.

"He won't back off, huh?" she muttered with a stubborn tilt of her chin

"I'm not someone to be watched like prey," she stated boldly, a spark of defiance in her words.

Her victory with the Umbrathrax must have boosted her confidence more.

"Let's dance, shadowy pursuer," she declared with a sly grin.

She swiftly gliding through the glade, her moves clever and quick.

At last, her hard work paid off. The stranger was nowhere in sight.

"Heh, that's that," Elara sighed in relief, brushing her hands through the air. "I wonder why I didn't lose the cloaked man like that."

She recalled how he was able to even save her from falling off a cliff. "Is he a demigod or something?"

Suddenly, her gaze caught something odd in the distance.

"What is that?" She followed the mysterious movement, her agile body carrying her closer.

She approached carefully. And Elara caught snippets of laughter and soft words exchanged between a man and a woman.

"I adore how the moonlight dances on your skin," he whispered tenderly.

She giggled softly, a sound like tinkling bells. "And your touch, it sets my heart on fire."

Peering through the trees, she discovered a hidden garden. It was bathed in the enchanting colors of twilight.

In its heart, two figures stood locked in a tight embrace.

"Oh, my goodness! What an unexpected duo!" Elara's eyes widened with surprise as she recognized the pair.

There was Lady Genevieve, a young noblewoman wearing elegant silks.

And Sir Julian, a dashing commoner dressed in simple yet well-tailored clothes.

Their embrace spoke volumes of an unbreakable connection.

"They're in love, even though they're not supposed to be," Elara whispered to herself. Her voice was filled with understanding.

Lady Genevieve's delicate hands were caught in Sir Julian's tousled hair. Their faces were close. Elara strained to hear their hushed words.

"I never knew love could feel like this," Lady Genevieve admitted, her voice soft and filled with desire.

Sir Julian's arms held her close. It was a strong embrace that felt both protective and passionate.

"Me neither, my lady," he responded, his words tender and sincere. "Love doesn't care about rules. It's a force we can't resist."

They danced with the forest's secrets, their bodies moving in a graceful rhythm.

Elara watched, captivated by their elegant motions. Every step spoke of emotions deeper than words, a dance of their hearts.

"I shouldn't be watching this," Elara mumbled, her voice a mix of defiance and gentleness.

She blushed, feeling like she stumbled upon something private.

Elara turned her gaze elsewhere, allowing them their moment. Their words, filled with desire, drifted to her ears.

Lady Genevieve's fingers traced a path along Julian's jawline. It was a touch laden with longing.

"You warm every part of me," she confessed, her voice a whisper that carried a world of emotions.

Sir Julian's hand found hers, fingers interlacing in a tender embrace.

"And your presence ignites a passion within me that I never knew existed," he admitted. His voice was low and filled with yearning.

Elara felt a blush rise as their intimate sentiments hung in the air.

"Why am I here?" A faint blush colored Elara's cheeks as she witnessed their affection. She felt like an intruder stumbling upon an intimate moment.

Elara's mind wandered to her own heart's desires. "Could I ever find such a love?" she pondered aloud, her voice a mix of defiance and curiosity.

As thoughts swirled, the image of the cloaked man resurfaced.

"His voice… his strength.. His composure in the midst of chaos.." she mused, remembering the encounter.

"But no, he's a criminal," she quickly dismissed herself. "I won't let my freedom be tied to anyone."

With a determined shake of her head, she reaffirmed her resolve. "I escaped to find my own path, not to be trapped again."

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the depths of the grove—an anxious, breathless servant. His eyes darted around, searching for Lady Genevieve.

"Oh, no. Please don't," Elara held her breath, fearing their secret had been discovered.

"Lady Genevieve, I need to speak with you," the servant said, his voice trembling with urgency.

Lady Genevieve turned towards the servant, concern etched on her face. "What's the matter, Thomas? What news do you bring?"

Thomas paused, gathering his words, before delivering a crushing blow.

"Your father has found out about your affair, my lady. The Baron of Aetheria is at our house, talking about your arranged marriage."