Chapter 246 TEIGEN LXXVI
The room fell quiet. Her words carried weight. They all knew about the letters she had not opened, sealed in red wax and left untouched by her bedside.
Astrid spoke again, bold as ever. “You still have not forgiven him, have you?”
Audrey’s gaze hardened. “Forgiveness does not mean forgetting.”
Faye frowned slightly. “My lady—”
“It was not just the book,” Audrey said, shaking her head. “It was what was inside it. The truth he said I was not ready to know.”
Greer leaned closer. “What truth?”
Audrey pressed her lips together. For a moment, she almost spoke. Then she looked away. “A truth I was denied,” she said at last. “And that denial cost me my hands.”
Silence followed.
Then a soft knock sounded at the door.
Ruby rose and opened it. A palace attendant stood there, bowing low. “My lady,” he said, “His Majesty sends his regards. And his gifts.”
“Gifts?” Greer gasped.
Audrey felt her heart quicken despite herself. “Let them enter.”
The doors opened wide. Six maids stepped inside, each carrying velvet boxes. Twelve in total. Red and blue, rich and heavy. They placed them gently by the window and stepped back.
The room filled with quiet awe.
Astrid leaned forward as the first box was opened. “Look at that…”
Inside lay a necklace of diamonds, bright as sunlight, with emeralds shining deep and green. Another box held a delicate tiara, soft with pearls. More followed. Earrings, bracelets, anklets. Each piece finer than the last.
Orchid clasped her hands. “Twelve pieces. One for each kingdom. How thoughtful.”
Greer sighed dramatically. “I truly might faint this time.”
Astrid shook her head. “You would ruin them all.”
Audrey let out a small laugh. She could not help it. The beauty of it all stirred something in her.
“I suppose this is his apology,” she said quietly.
Ruby smiled. “It is a grand one.”
Faye’s voice was softer. “Perhaps it is more than that. Perhaps he wishes for another chance.”
Audrey hesitated.
Her fingers brushed the edge of one box. Inside lay a ruby pendant, glowing deep red, like a living flame. The memory of fire stirred again.
And she did not know whether to fear it… or reach for it.
Her voice came out barely above a whisper. “Another chance…”
The maids bowed and stepped aside, and as they did, another figure entered the room. He was tall, dressed in the silver and navy of the royal guard. He carried no velvet box, only a single crystal vase held carefully in both hands.
“Elijah,” Audrey said, surprised as she rose to her feet. “You bring flowers now?”
The young guard, sharp-eyed and ever loyal, gave a small smile. “His Majesty asked that I deliver these myself, my lady.”
He placed the vase gently on the table before her. Inside were dandelions. Their golden heads stood bright and wild against the clear crystal.
Greer blinked. “Dandelions?”
Astrid frowned. “That is… unexpected.”
Faye’s smile softened. “No. That is thoughtful.”
Audrey tilted her head, drawn to them in a way she could not explain. She reached out and touched one lightly. “He remembers,” she said.
Ruby looked at her. “Remembers what, my lady?”
Audrey’s gaze grew distant. “I once told him they were my favorite. They grow wherever the wind carries them. They are never too proud for any soil.”
Greer sighed, placing a hand over her heart. “If that is not love, I do not know what is.”
Astrid let out a quiet groan. “If that is love, it sounds exhausting.”
The others laughed, soft and bright, but the sound faded when Elijah drew a folded parchment from his coat and held it out.
“And this,” he said, “is from His Majesty.”
Audrey hesitated. Her pulse quickened. “A letter?”
“Yes, my lady. Written by his own hand.”
The parchment was sealed with black wax, stamped with the royal crest, the dragon and the flame. Audrey broke the seal carefully, her fingers trembling just a little.
“Read it,” Greer urged. “Please.”
Faye chuckled. “I believe that is meant for her alone.”
Audrey glanced at their eager faces and sighed. “Very well. Only because you will not stop staring otherwise.”
She unfolded the letter, her heart caught between curiosity.
When she saw his handwriting, bold and familiar, she began to read. “My beautiful constellation, I have been a fool, ruled by pride and flame. If I could suffer for the pain I caused you, I would. You faced what I feared, and I punished you for it.
I see your hands in my dreams, and each time, it breaks me. Forgive me, not as your King, but as the man who still loves you.
You once told me fire is not evil, only untamed.
If you will allow it, let me learn to master mine beside you. Until then, I send what gold cannot mend. Dandelions, for the girl who taught me that beauty does not fear the wind.
Yours, Darius.”
When Audrey finished, silence filled the room, but it was no longer heavy. It felt warm, almost hopeful.
Greer sighed deeply. “He could charm the moon from the sky.”
Orchid giggled. “He already has. She is sitting right here.”
Astrid shook her head, though she smiled faintly. “I will admit, that was well written.”
Ruby dabbed at her eyes. “It was beautiful.”
Faye looked at Audrey with quiet care. “His heart still burns for you, my lady.”
Audrey’s gaze lingered on the letter. “Yes,” she whispered. “And perhaps… mine for him.”
The sunlight shifted, catching on the gold thread still tangled in her embroidery hoop.
For the first time in many weeks, Audrey smiled.
The letter trembled slightly in her hands as her ladies began to chatter again, their voices light and full of delight. The room felt brighter, or perhaps she had simply allowed herself to breathe again.
Faye gently took the letter from her and folded it neatly, placing it beside the vase. “My lady,” she said softly, “it seems His Majesty has finally said what you needed to hear.”