Chapter 3 The Heir and the Outcast

The sun had barely risen, but Eldoria was already awake. The palace courtyard teemed with guards, servants, nobles, and commoners alike, all drawn to the miraculous news: the princess was alive-and returned.

Carried by an orphan no one knew.

Kael stood awkwardly near the massive gates, his hands still trembling. His clothes were torn, his knees scraped, and his eyes weary from the night's escape. But he didn't flinch when armored guards surrounded him. He didn't run when spears pointed his way. His gaze stayed on the princess.

Liora was carried gently by two royal guards, her expression dazed but calm. As she passed Kael, she turned her head just enough to meet his eyes. She didn't smile. But she blinked slowly, as if to say, I remember.

Moments later, the massive palace doors swung open-and out came the King.

Tall, bearded, his crown glinting under the morning sun, King Aldred had aged ten years in two weeks. His eyes, once fierce, now brimmed with unshed tears. When he saw Liora, his composure broke. He rushed to her side, falling to his knees, holding her like a child holds something nearly lost.

"My daughter," he whispered. "My Liora..."

Liora weakly reached for him. "Father... it was him. That boy. He saved me."

The king turned sharply, eyes narrowing at Kael.

"This boy?" he asked, stepping forward.

Kael straightened. "Yes, Your Majesty."

"You found her?"

"I did."

"And the men who took her?"

"They were in the cave. I escaped before they caught us."

Silence fell over the courtyard. Nobles leaned in, whispering. Servants paused in their tracks.

The king stepped closer. "What is your name, boy?"

"Kael."

"Kael of where?"

He hesitated. "I... don't know. I'm just Kael. I live in the forest."

There was a beat of silence.

Then the king looked at the Commander of the Guard. "Prepare a reward. This boy shall not be forgotten."

But Liora, still weak, raised her voice. "Not a reward. A debt."

The crowd gasped.

The queen stepped down from the grand staircase, her gown gliding like flowing silk. Regal and reserved, she looked down at Kael, then at her daughter.

"A debt?" she asked softly.

"He didn't just save me," Liora said. "He risked everything. Alone. No knight. No army. Just himself."

She looked at her father, her voice steadier now. "You said-whoever brings me back safely will be honored."

King Aldred nodded slowly. "Yes."

"Then I ask you to honor your word. Make him more than a guest. Give him what he deserves."

The murmurs turned louder.

The king regarded Kael for a long moment. Then his voice echoed through the court:

"From this day forward, Kael shall be a son of Eldoria."

Another gasp rippled through the crowd.

The queen frowned. "What do you mean, Aldred?"

"I mean that this orphan shall be adopted into the royal house. He shall be trained in the ways of court, sword, and wisdom. And if the Princess so chooses in time... he may even become her consort."

Kael's heart skipped.

Liora's cheeks flushed. She did not object.

The nobles began to protest. Whispers turned to objections-He's not of blood! He's a forest urchin! He can't be-

The king raised a hand. "Silence."

He turned back to Kael. "Do you accept this fate?"

Kael opened his mouth. Words failed him.

He'd slept in trees. He'd eaten roots and dried meat. He'd never imagined setting foot inside the palace, let alone standing beside royalty.

"I accept," he whispered.

"Then let it be known," the king declared, "Kael of Nowhere is now Kael of Eldoria."

Later that night, Kael lay in a bed softer than clouds, in a room lit by golden chandeliers and scented with rose oil.

He could hardly breathe.

There were no rats. No cold winds. No hunger.

Just silence.

But even in comfort, Kael's mind couldn't rest. He kept replaying the image of Liora-gagged, bound, frightened. He could still feel her shallow breaths against his back, hear the footsteps behind them in the cave.

He didn't feel like a hero.

He felt like someone who had stumbled into something far bigger than himself.

A knock came at the door.

He sat up. "Yes?"

It opened slightly.

Princess Liora stepped inside.

She wore a simple silk robe, her dark hair loose and flowing. She looked stronger now, though her eyes still held the echoes of trauma.

"I hope I'm not disturbing you," she said softly.

"No," Kael said quickly. "Not at all."

She came in and sat near the window. The moonlight bathed her face in silver.

"I wanted to thank you again," she said. "Truly. I don't think I've ever been that afraid in my life. But you... you didn't even hesitate."

"I was just trying to help," Kael said, lowering his eyes.

"You did more than help." She paused. "And I heard what my father said. About you becoming my consort."

Kael swallowed. "You don't have to-"

"I didn't say I minded," she interrupted gently.

They sat in silence.

Then she looked at him and whispered, "I hope you'll stay. Not just because of the crown or the court. But because... something tells me you belong here, Kael."

For the first time in his life, Kael felt seen. Not as a boy from nowhere. But as someone who mattered.

"I think I will," he said.

Outside, the stars sparkled like silver promises. But within the palace walls, something far brighter had begun to bloom.

To be continued...