The Returned Prince

The council meeting had ended, and the tension in the air was thick, like a storm waiting to break. My father's harsh words still echoed in my ears, but I had made my mark. I had shown them all that I was not the same naive boy who once struggled to understand the power plays of the court. This time, I would be the one making the rules. But for now, I needed to think.

As I walked down the long, winding halls of the Summer Palace, the weight of the past few days bore down on me. My father's cold indifference, my brothers' schemes, and the memories of the betrayal that had cost me my life—they all clung to me like shadows. But there was no time to dwell on them. I had a purpose now: to secure my place, not just as a prince, but as a ruler.

I needed allies, people I could trust. I had learned the hard way how dangerous it was to trust the wrong person. And there was one thing I had never forgotten from my past life—the importance of securing loyal and capable individuals at my side. A harem, yes, but not for mere pleasure. I needed partners who could aid me in my ambitions, women who were as sharp as they were beautiful, who could help me see the world through different eyes.

But first, I needed to find a moment of solitude, away from the prying eyes of my siblings and the court.

The royal gardens were the perfect place. My feet led me there instinctively, as they always had when I needed a moment to breathe. The air was cool and fragrant with the scent of jasmine and roses, and the chirping of birds provided a calm, rhythmic background. The gardens were vast, with stone paths weaving through trees, fountains, and well-kept flowerbeds. It was a place where I had often come as a child to escape the noise of the palace.

But today, there was something different about the gardens.

As I walked past a flowering vine, I noticed a figure sitting by the edge of the fountain—no, not just any figure. A woman. Her golden hair shimmered in the soft light, and her delicate features were turned toward the water as she traced patterns on the stone with her fingers. I couldn't see her eyes, but I could tell that she wasn't just any servant or noblewoman. There was something about her—a presence, a grace—that felt out of place in these gardens.

I paused for a moment, intrigued.

She wore a simple dress, one of pale blue, and it clung to her figure in a way that seemed almost deliberate. Despite her unassuming appearance, there was a quiet strength in her posture. She didn't notice me standing there, and I took a moment to observe her, unsure whether to approach.

It was only when she looked up, as if sensing my presence, that I was caught in the gaze of her sapphire eyes.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Her eyes, so much like my own, seemed to pierce through me with a depth that took me by surprise. I had never seen her before, yet something about her was hauntingly familiar.

She stood gracefully, wiping her hands on the edges of her dress. "You must be Prince Aurelian," she said, her voice soft but steady, like the gentle flow of the fountain behind her. "I've heard whispers of your return."

I was momentarily stunned, unsure how to respond. Who was she? How did she know me?

"I am," I said slowly, taking a step closer. "And you are?"

She offered a small, knowing smile that sent a shiver down my spine. "My name is Elara. I am… a servant of the royal family."

Her words didn't quite match the air of nobility she carried, nor the way she held herself. There was something about her—something that told me she wasn't just another common servant in the palace.

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You seem different from the others."

She laughed lightly, a soft, melodic sound that blended with the sounds of the garden. "I suppose I am," she said, her voice lowering slightly. "But I've learned to keep my true nature hidden, especially in a place like this."

I didn't know what to make of her words, but I was certain that I wanted to know more. There was something in the way she spoke, something in the way she carried herself, that spoke of hidden strength and intelligence.

"Hidden nature?" I asked, curiosity piquing. "And what might that be?"

Elara stepped closer, her eyes scanning the surroundings as if making sure we were alone. "I am not here to serve, Prince Aurelian. At least not in the way you think."

My interest deepened, but I kept my expression neutral. "Then why are you here?"

She took a deep breath, her gaze locked on mine with an intensity that rivaled my own. "I've been watching you for some time. You're not the same person you were, are you? You've changed."

I stared at her, feeling the weight of her words settle over me. It was as though she could see straight through me, as though she knew everything—my past life, my betrayal, my return.

"You're not wrong," I said, my voice low. "I've come back for a reason."

Elara nodded, as though she had expected no less. "I know. And I can help you. But in return, you must trust me."

Her words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. I could feel my heart rate quicken. This was the first time someone had offered me their loyalty without hesitation, without expecting something in return.

But there was still so much I didn't know about her. And I had learned the hard way not to trust too easily.

"I'm not one to trust quickly," I said cautiously, taking a step back. "But if you truly want to help me, then prove it. Tell me more."

Elara's smile widened, her eyes gleaming with something almost mischievous. "All in good time, Prince Aurelian. All in good time."

The words echoed in my mind as she walked away, her figure disappearing into the maze of the gardens. I stood there, feeling a mix of curiosity and wariness.

Was this a chance encounter, or had I just met someone who would play a pivotal role in my quest for the throne?

One thing was certain: Elara was no ordinary servant, and her secrets were only beginning to unfold.