Elara Celestine Alaric had known since childhood that there was one thing that would never truly belong to her: being chosen.
Not the first choice. Not the second choice. Sometimes, not a choice at all.
In the Kingdom of Asteria, everyone knew the name Mayalyn Aurelia Alaric. The first princess. The favorite princess. The girl who almost always got whatever she wanted.
If Mayalyn liked a gown, it would arrive in her room before sunset. If she wanted a necklace, the jewels would be found in the royal treasury. If she needed the finest tutor, all of Asteria would be mobilized to find one for her.
Meanwhile, Elara learned to be content with whatever was left over.
She had never considered herself jealous. At least, that was what she always told herself.
That morning, Elara stood beside her bedroom window. The palace courtyard was already bustling. Servants carried travel trunks, guards inspected the royal carriage, and nobles arrived to pay their respects before the royal party departed for Thalassery.
Elara wore a simple blue gown. Her hair was neatly arranged without excessive adornment. There were no diamonds sparkling at her throat, no jewels in her hair, nothing that would make people stop and ask who she was.
That was Elara.
Simple. Calm. Easy to overlook.
Strangely enough, she liked it that way. Being invisible felt safer than hoping to be seen.
“Princess Elara, have you had breakfast?”
Liora Maeve stood in the doorway, carrying a neatly folded blue gown. She was Elara’s personal maid and the only person who had always stayed by her side since childhood. Liora knew all of Elara’s small habits, even the ones her own family had never noticed.
Elara shook her head.
“I’ll eat later.”
“If Queen Seraphina really paid attention to you, maybe I wouldn’t have to remind you every day.”
Elara’s smile appeared only for a moment.
“If Mother really paid attention to me, maybe I wouldn’t need reminding.”
Liora immediately regretted her words. Her expression softened.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right.”
Elara approached the gown Liora was carrying.
“Is this what Mother requested?”
“She said you had to wear it when we arrive in Thalassery.”
Elara touched the fabric. It was pale blue, decorated with small sea-flower embroidery. It was not as lavish as the gown Mayalyn would wear, but it was beautiful in its own way.
“It’s lovely,” she said.
“Do you like it?”
Elara nodded.
“Yes.”
Liora pulled a small box from behind the folds of fabric.
“At least there’s one thing that can make you happy.”
Elara opened the box. Inside lay a necklace with a crescent-moon pendant. The silver was simple, but its surface caught the morning light with a gentle gleam.
“What is this for?”
“Your mother gave it to you.”
Elara gazed at the necklace for a moment longer.
“For me?”
“Queen Seraphina asked you to wear it when we arrive in Thalassery.”
A small warmth bloomed in Elara’s chest. Too small to be called happiness, but enough to make her smile.
“Thank you.”
Liora nodded. She looked as though she wanted to say something, but in the end, she chose to remain silent.
Elara had never asked for much. When her gown was late, she said it was all right. When her meal was served last, she claimed she wasn’t hungry. When gifts were given to Mayalyn and there was nothing for her, she smiled as though she hadn’t been hurt.
Not because Elara had no feelings.
But because she was too accustomed to keeping them hidden.
Since childhood, she had learned that showing pain would only make other people feel inconvenienced.
Knock. Knock.
A knock sounded at the door.
Liora opened it. A palace servant stood outside.
“Princess Elara, His Majesty the King summons you to the meeting room.”
Elara nodded.
“All right.”
“Should I come with you?” Liora asked.
Elara shook her head.
“I’ll only be told about the journey. I’ll be back soon.”
Liora did not look convinced, but she nodded anyway.
Elara left the room.
The palace corridors were unusually busy that morning. The servants bowed as she passed, then returned to their work. No one approached her. No one asked whether she was ready. No one offered to help.
Elara was used to it.
She walked alone to the meeting room.
When the doors opened, her entire family had already gathered inside. King Lucien Alaric sat in the main chair. Beside him, Queen Seraphina Evelyne was speaking with Mayalyn.
Mayalyn wore a white gown with gold embroidery. A diamond necklace adorned her throat, while jewels glittered on both her hands. Behind her stood Rosalie Vivienne, her personal maid, wearing a composed expression and an attentive smile.
Elara paused before approaching.
“Father.”
King Lucien turned toward her.
“Sit.”
Elara chose a chair somewhat removed from the others.
“We leave for Thalassery tomorrow morning,” King Lucien said.
“I’ve already been told.”
“Good.”
Mayalyn smiled brightly.
“I still can’t believe I’m finally going to see Thalassery Palace.”
“You’ll love it,” Queen Seraphina said.
“I heard it was built on cliffs overlooking the sea.”
“That’s right.”
“And the jewelry room is enormous.”
Queen Seraphina gave a small laugh.
“You’re still thinking about jewelry?”
“Of course.”
Rosalie smiled as well.
“Her Highness has been talking about it for a week.”
“Because I’m going to become part of the Thalassery royal family.”
Elara lowered her gaze.
She listened to them talk about the engagement, the wedding, and the new life awaiting Mayalyn in the kingdom across the sea. No one asked Elara’s opinion. No one needed to. Her presence on the journey had been decided long before she was summoned to this room.
“Elara.”
She lifted her face.
“Yes, Father?”
“You will be going to Thalassery.”
“All right.”
“You will stay with the family throughout the journey and the engagement ceremony.”
“All right.”
“Mind your behavior. Don’t draw unnecessary attention.”
Elara lowered her head.
“Yes, Father.”
“And don’t cause any trouble.”
“All right.”
That was all.
Afterward, the conversation shifted back to Mayalyn. To the wedding gown. To the engagement gifts. To the new life that awaited her in Thalassery.
Elara sat in silence.
If someone asked what she wanted from the journey, her answer would not be a gown, a necklace, or a larger room.
She only wanted to be chosen, just once.
Chosen without having to ask. Chosen without having to prove she deserved it. Chosen not out of obligation, but because someone genuinely wanted her there.
Yet a wish like that felt too big for someone like Elara to say aloud.
Because since childhood, she had grown accustomed to never receiving it.
The next morning, the courtyard of Asteria Palace was bustling once again.
The royal carriage was waiting. The horses were ready to depart, guards stood along the road, and servants loaded the royal family’s trunks into the carriage.
Mayalyn appeared first in a white traveling gown. Rosalie walked behind her.
“Has everything been packed?” Mayalyn asked.
“Yes, Your Highness,” Rosalie replied.
“My jewelry?”
“Packed.”
“My gowns and shoes?”
“Packed.”
Mayalyn smiled in satisfaction.
A short while later, King Lucien and Queen Seraphina emerged from the palace.
Elara appeared a few moments after them. Mayalyn turned to her.
“You’re wearing that?”
Elara looked down at her blue gown.
“Why?”
“It’s nothing.” Mayalyn examined the small embroidery on the gown’s sleeve. “At least the color is nice.”
Elara gave a faint smile.
Liora adjusted the moon necklace at her throat.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
Elara looked at Asteria Palace one last time.
That was where she had been born and raised. That was where she had learned not to ask, to stay silent when other people spoke too loudly, and to accept that some people would always walk ahead while she remained behind.
She drew a long breath, then climbed into the carriage. Liora followed and sat beside her.
The carriage door closed.
The royal party began moving away from the palace. Asteria slowly grew smaller behind them.
Elara gazed out the window. She did not know what Thalassery was like. She did not know what the royal family there was like. She did not even know what the prince who would one day marry Mayalyn was like.
None of it mattered much to her.
She only wanted to make the journey in peace. Not cause trouble. Not draw attention. Not inconvenience anyone.
That was what she had always done.
But Elara did not yet know one thing.
In the Kingdom of Thalassery, someone was waiting for her.
Prince Alexander Caelum Valerian knew only one name as his future bride: Mayalyn Aurelia Alaric. No one had ever told him about Asteria’s second princess. No one had said that another girl would be traveling with the royal party.
No one had told him that someone who had never been chosen would come before him.
And when the carriage finally arrived in Thalassery, fate slowly began to change course.
For the first time in her life, Elara Celestine Alaric would be someone chosen to be seen.