The Fae King's Chosen

Chapter 11 - A King’s Confession

As the ball wound down, the grand hall slowly emptied of its many guests, the hum of conversation fading into the quiet of the late evening. Alessia felt the weight of exhaustion creeping in, though her mind was still buzzing with everything that had happened. She had laughed, danced, and for the first time since arriving in the fae realm, allowed herself to forget the enormity of her situation—if only for a moment.

But Oberon’s presence, his simmering jealousy, lingered in her thoughts like an unspoken promise. He hadn’t spoken to her again after their encounter on the balcony, but she could feel his eyes on her, watching from the shadows.

As she made her way through the palace halls, Caelorn appeared at her side, ever the silent sentinel. His golden eyes were soft in the dim light, though they sparkled with something she couldn’t quite place—perhaps amusement, or something more.

"Well," Caelorn said, his voice low and smooth, "I’d say you handled the ball better than expected. No suitors were sent away heartbroken, as far as I could tell."

Alessia gave him a tired smile. "It was... a lot. But I think I managed."

"You did more than that," he said, giving her a nod of approval. "You played your role perfectly. The factions are talking, but more importantly, you’ve caught the attention of everyone in the room—including the king."

Alessia’s stomach twisted at the mention of Oberon. She had felt his gaze all night, and the intensity of their moment on the balcony still clung to her like a second skin. "Oberon’s... complicated," she muttered, not sure how to even begin explaining what had happened between them.

Caelorn raised an eyebrow, his lips quirking into a knowing smile. "The king is not a man who shows his hand easily. But I can tell you this—he’s more invested in you than you realize."

Alessia frowned. "What do you mean?"

Caelorn’s expression softened, a rare hint of sympathy flickering in his golden eyes. "Oberon has many responsibilities, Alessia. As king, he cannot afford to be vulnerable. But that doesn’t mean he’s unaffected by what’s happening between you two. He may not show it openly, but his feelings run deep. Deeper than you might think."

Her heart skipped a beat at Caelorn’s words. Could it be true? Was there more to Oberon’s jealousy, more to his guarded demeanor, than she had realized?

Before she could ask further, Caelorn gave her a brief nod and turned to leave. "I’ll leave you to your thoughts. Rest well, Alessia. You’ll need your strength for what’s to come."

Alessia watched him go, her mind swirling with unanswered questions. As she stood alone in the quiet corridor, the weight of the night settled heavily on her shoulders.

Suddenly, a soft knock echoed from the door to her chambers. Her pulse quickened as she approached and opened it, half-expecting one of the suitors—or worse, Oberon himself.

To her surprise, it was Aleron, the fae servant who had been assisting her since her arrival. He bowed his head respectfully, his green eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Lady Alessia, the king has requested your presence. He wishes to speak with you in the library."

Alessia’s breath caught in her throat. "Oberon wants to see me now?"

Aleron nodded. "Yes, my lady. If you would follow me, I will take you to him."

A rush of nervous energy surged through Alessia as she nodded and followed Aleron down the winding corridors of the palace. Her thoughts raced, torn between excitement and anxiety. What could Oberon possibly want to discuss at this hour?

The library was as awe-inspiring as ever, its high, vaulted ceilings and walls lined with books glowing softly in the dim light of enchanted lanterns. As Aleron led her inside, she spotted Oberon standing near one of the massive windows, his figure bathed in the soft glow of moonlight.

"Thank you, Aleron," Oberon said without turning, his deep voice resonating in the quiet space. "That will be all."

Aleron bowed and slipped away, leaving Alessia alone with the king.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Oberon’s back was to her, his gaze fixed on the starry night sky beyond the window. Alessia could feel the tension in the air between them—thick, charged, and unresolved.

"You wanted to see me?" she asked, her voice softer than she intended.

Oberon turned slowly, his eyes catching hers with that familiar intensity. He looked different now—less like the aloof king, and more like a man burdened by the weight of his own emotions. His dark hair framed his face, and the moonlight gave his features an ethereal glow, making him appear almost vulnerable.

"I did," he said quietly, stepping closer. "I owe you an apology."

Alessia blinked, caught off guard. "An apology?"

Oberon’s gaze softened, his usual stoic expression melting away. "For tonight. For the way I acted."

She didn’t know what to say. She hadn’t expected this—not from him. "You don’t have to apologize," she said, shaking her head slightly. "I know tonight was... complicated."

"It was," Oberon agreed, his voice filled with a strange mix of frustration and regret. "But that’s no excuse for my behavior. You’ve been thrown into a world you don’t understand, surrounded by people who see you as the key to their future. And I... I haven’t made it any easier for you."

Alessia’s heart softened at his words. She had seen glimpses of this side of him before—the side that cared, that struggled with his own emotions. But hearing him admit it, hearing the raw honesty in his voice, made it all feel more real.

"Oberon..." she began, but he cut her off gently.

"I know this isn’t fair to you," he said, his voice low and rough. "You didn’t ask for any of this. And yet, here you are—bearing the weight of a prophecy that none of us fully understand."

He stepped closer, his hand reaching out to gently brush a strand of hair from her face. The touch was light, but it sent a shiver down her spine.

"I’ve been watching you," he confessed, his eyes locking onto hers. "Not just tonight, but since the moment you arrived. And it terrifies me."

Alessia’s breath caught in her throat. "Terrifies you?"

Oberon nodded, his gaze never wavering. "Because you make me feel things I haven’t allowed myself to feel in centuries. And that... that is dangerous."

For a moment, the world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in the quiet, moonlit library. Alessia’s heart raced as she stared into Oberon’s eyes, the depth of his emotions laid bare before her.

"I don’t know what’s happening between us," Oberon said, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I do know one thing—I can’t keep pretending that it doesn’t matter."

Alessia’s pulse quickened, her thoughts swirling with a mixture of fear and longing. She had felt it too—the pull between them, the undeniable connection that had been growing ever since she arrived. But it terrified her as much as it seemed to terrify him.

"What do we do now?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Oberon’s hand cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing gently against her skin. "We take it one step at a time. But know this, Alessia—you’re not alone in this. I’m with you, no matter what happens."

The intensity of his words hung in the air between them, heavy with promise. Alessia’s heart pounded in her chest as she searched his eyes, trying to find the right words to respond. But before she could say anything, Oberon leaned in, his lips brushing softly against hers in a kiss that was both tender and filled with the weight of everything unspoken between them.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still. The world outside the library, the ball, the suitors—all of it faded into the background as Alessia melted into the kiss, her hands resting gently on Oberon’s chest. The magic that lingered in the air around them seemed to hum with approval, the connection between them growing stronger with every heartbeat.

When they finally pulled apart, Oberon rested his forehead against hers, his breath warm against her skin. "We’ll figure this out together," he whispered, his voice filled with quiet determination.

Alessia nodded, her heart still racing. She didn’t know what the future held, but in that moment, she felt something she hadn’t felt since arriving in the fae realm—hope.