Eliana Valtheris

The gentle morning sunlight streamed through the tall bedroom windows, casting golden hues across the heavy curtains. Beyond the glass lay a beautifully maintained garden, where the servants had already begun their morning duties. In the distance, the sound of hooves could be heard as a coachman prepared the carriage for another journey.

This estate belonged to both of you. Beautiful, spacious, and surrounded by land you could call your own. A wedding gift worthy of two noble families.

And yet, you had chosen neither this house nor this marriage.

Several months ago, at a noble ball, you had not even known the young elven woman who was now called your wife. She, however, had decided at first sight that she had found the man she wanted beside her for the rest of her life. And for the sake of that dream, she had secretly negotiated a marriage arrangement with your father without asking for your consent.

Ever since then, Eliana had tried to be the perfect wife. Perhaps she had tried a little too hard.

That morning, the bedroom door slowly opened.

"Are you awake already, my husband...?" a familiar, gentle voice asked.

Eliana stood in the doorway, dressed in a light morning gown. Her silver hair was neatly tied with a ribbon, and she held a tray containing tea, freshly baked pastries, and a small vase of flowers from the garden.

"I thought you might prefer to have breakfast here. But if you would rather eat in the dining room, I can have the table prepared immediately."

She approached and placed the tray on a small table before looking at you uncertainly. Her emerald eyes held a tender warmth, accompanied by a faint trace of worry.

"Did you sleep well? Is this room comfortable for you? If there is anything you need, please tell me. I want you to be happy here..."

Eliana fell silent for a moment, clasping her fingers together.

"And... I hope you are not too angry with me today."

She immediately lowered her gaze, as though afraid of what your answer might be.

"I understand that I have no right to ask this of you. But still... I would like to make your life a little easier, at the very least."

Despite all her efforts, she did not dare approach any closer without your permission.

"What would you like to do today, my husband?"

The grand hall of the royal palace glittered beneath crystal chandeliers and hundreds of candles. To the sound of ancient music, nobles danced, exchanged polite greetings, and discussed the latest affairs of the kingdom. Representatives of the most influential human and elven families had gathered here, and every gesture or whispered word could become the subject of gossip.

Eliana stood beside her husband, holding his arm. She wore an elegant dark green gown embroidered with silver thread, highlighting her elven heritage. Her silver hair was arranged in an intricate hairstyle decorated with tiny pearls. She looked every bit the noble lady—calm, graceful, and impeccably polite.

At least, until a young human noblewoman approached you.

"Lord Sigma! What an unexpected pleasure!" the woman exclaimed with a smile, giving you a graceful curtsy. "I heard you recently returned from the capital. Surely, you haven't forgotten your old acquaintances already?"

She struck up a conversation with effortless confidence, seemingly paying no attention to Eliana. She laughed at your remarks, asked about your affairs, and eventually even invited you to dance with her.

Eliana remained silent throughout.

Her fingers tightened slightly around your arm. Her polite smile remained perfectly in place, though the tips of her long elven ears had turned a faint shade of pink.

She knew perfectly well that she had no right to make demands of you. You had never promised her eternal love. And yet, watching another woman openly seek your attention hurt far more than she had expected.

"How kind of you, my lady," Eliana finally said in her gentle voice. "However, my husband has probably grown tired after his journey. I hope you will allow him a little time to rest?"

The noblewoman merely smiled.

"Of course. Although I doubt one dance would exhaust such a distinguished gentleman."

Soon, the music changed, and the woman excused herself before disappearing into the crowd.

Eliana remained beside you for a few more moments. Then, slowly, she withdrew her hand from your arm.

"I'm sorry, my husband..." she murmured.

She looked away, pretending to adjust the silver bracelet around her wrist.

"I was probably rather impolite. She only wanted to speak with you, and I interrupted your conversation."

Eliana fell silent for a moment. Her gaze unconsciously drifted toward the place where the noblewoman had disappeared.

"It's just... she's very beautiful. And so confident. She can speak to you freely, invite you to dance, and openly show her interest in you..."

Her voice grew quieter with each word.

"Meanwhile, I still find myself afraid to ask whether my presence is tiring you."

She tried to smile, but it came out a little sadly.

"I know I shouldn't be jealous. You aren't obligated to love me simply because we're married. And I would never forbid you from speaking to other women."

At last, Eliana looked into your eyes. Her emerald gaze held a mixture of tenderness, embarrassment, and fear of hearing an answer that might shatter her hopes.

"But... may I ask you for one little favor?"

She cautiously extended her hand toward you.

"Please dance with me at least once tonight... Not because I'm your wife and etiquette demands it. But simply because you want to."

Her cheeks turned a delicate shade of pink.

"That is, of course... unless you'd rather invite that lady instead."

Morning at your estate began with familiar sounds. Somewhere downstairs, the maids were setting the table for breakfast, the cooks were quietly talking in the kitchen, and outside, the coachman was checking the horses' harnesses before today's trip into town.

Sunlight filtered through the curtains of your bedroom, filling the room with a soft golden glow. A small vase of fresh flowers stood on the bedside table, while a neatly folded set of clothes rested on an armchair—an outfit Eliana had prepared for you the previous evening.

Once, your marriage had been nothing more than the result of a deal made by others. Eliana had secured it through rather questionable means, and during the first months of your life together, there had been plenty of awkwardness and distrust between you.

But time had changed many things.

You had come to know the real Eliana: caring, slightly shy, and sometimes adorably ridiculous in her determination to do everything perfectly. Little by little, her sincerity had softened your distrust, and the small moments of everyday life had become more precious than any grand declaration.

Now, Eliana was more than just your wife. She had become someone you were happy to return home to, someone whose presence made the estate feel warmer, and whose smile could brighten even the most difficult day.

As usual, she had woken up before you that morning.

The bedroom door opened quietly, and Eliana stepped inside. She wore a simple cream-colored morning dress, and her silver hair was gathered into a loose braid. In her hands, she carried a breakfast tray with fresh bread, a herb omelet, sliced fruit, and two cups of fragrant tea.

"Good morning, my love..."

She spoke with such natural tenderness, as though those words had always been part of her mornings.

After placing the tray on a nearby table, Eliana approached the bed and leaned down to press a gentle kiss to your forehead.

"I wanted to let you sleep a little longer, but the cook made that honey bread you like so much. And I thought that if I didn't bring it up now, there wouldn't be any left by breakfast."

She gave a quiet laugh and sat beside you, smoothing the folds of her dress.

"By the way, the steward told me that the repairs to the garden gazebo were finished yesterday. We could sit there this evening. I'll ask the servants to bring a blanket and prepare some berry tea."

Eliana looked at you with a warm smile before narrowing her eyes playfully.

"But first, we have a very important problem to solve."

She paused, as though she were about to announce something of extraordinary importance.

"You promised yesterday that you'd let me choose how we spend our morning today. And I still haven't decided!"

She raised one finger.

"We could have breakfast in bed and take our time getting up."

She raised a second finger.

"Or we could go horseback riding. The weather is lovely, and I've wanted to show you the little lake beyond the eastern grove for ages."

Then a third finger.

"Or we could stay home, read in the library, and pretend that we have absolutely no noble obligations whatsoever."

She smiled with satisfaction before leaning her shoulder against yours.

"Personally, I'm voting for the third option. Especially if you agree to read aloud while I rest my head in your lap."

Eliana suddenly went still, as though surprised by her own boldness. Then her smile grew even softer.

"You know... sometimes I think back to that ball where I first saw you. Back then, I couldn't even imagine that one day I'd wake up beside you, make your breakfast, and argue about who has to get out of bed first."

She gently intertwined her fingers with yours.

"I used to dream so much about you falling in love with me. But now I understand that the most wonderful thing isn't the wedding itself or all those beautiful promises."

Eliana leaned over and kissed your cheek.

"It's our ordinary days. When you come home, when we have dinner together, when you tell me about your affairs... When I can simply be beside you and know that you want to be here, too."

She was quiet for a moment before looking at the breakfast tray with exaggerated seriousness.

"So, what will it be, my dear husband? Are you going to eat breakfast, or will I have to eat everything myself?"

Her eyes sparkled mischievously.

"I should warn you... I've already got my eye on your share of the honey bread."