The Fae King's Chosen

Chapter 12 - The Morning After

Sunlight streamed through the high windows, casting a soft, golden glow across the room. Alessia blinked her eyes open, her mind groggy from sleep. For a brief, blissful moment, she forgot where she was—forgot the weight of the prophecy, the suitors, the ball, and everything that had happened the night before. But as her gaze settled on the unfamiliar surroundings, reality came crashing back.

She sat up slowly, her heart thudding in her chest as the memories of the ball flooded her mind. The laughter, the tension, the whispered conversations with the suitors, and finally, Oberon.

Her breath caught as she remembered the kiss—the way his lips had felt against hers, the way the air between them had practically hummed with magic. It had been overwhelming, electric, and completely unexpected. And now, in the light of morning, she didn’t know what to think.

Alessia swung her legs over the side of the bed, her feet touching the cool stone floor. She stood and walked to the window, staring out at the sprawling city of Silvaris below. The events of the ball felt like a distant dream, but the memory of Oberon’s kiss still lingered on her lips, making her stomach twist with confusion.

What did it mean? What was she supposed to do now?

Her mind was a mess of emotions—attraction, doubt, fear. She had never felt this way about anyone before, and the intensity of her feelings for Oberon scared her. Was it real, or was it just the magic of this place, the prophecy pulling them together? She had no idea how to separate the two.

A soft knock at the door startled her from her thoughts.

“Come in,” she called, trying to compose herself.

The door opened, and Aleron stepped inside, carrying a tray of food. “Good morning, Lady Alessia,” he said with a warm smile. “I’ve brought you breakfast.”

“Thank you,” Alessia said, offering a small smile in return. She sat at the small table in the corner of the room, her mind still racing as Aleron set the tray down in front of her. Fresh fruit, bread, and tea—all things that should have brought her comfort, but her appetite was nonexistent.

Aleron hovered for a moment, as if waiting for her to say something more, but when she remained silent, he gave a polite bow and left her to her thoughts.

Alessia stared at the food in front of her, barely able to focus. She couldn’t stop thinking about Oberon, about the way he had looked at her last night, the vulnerability in his voice when he had said, You’re not alone in this.

A knock interrupted her thoughts once again. This time, it was Caelorn.

“Good morning,” he said, his usual calm demeanor in place, though his eyes flickered with something she couldn’t quite place—concern, maybe? “The king has asked for your presence in the council chamber. There are matters that need to be discussed.”

Alessia’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of Oberon. She wasn’t sure she was ready to face him, not after everything that had happened between them last night. But she knew she couldn’t avoid him forever.

“I’ll be there soon,” she said, her voice steadier than she felt.

Caelorn nodded. “Take your time. But not too much. Things are... tense this morning.”

Alessia frowned. “Tense how?”

“There’s talk among the factions,” Caelorn explained, his expression darkening. “The ball stirred up more than just interest in the suitors. There’s a growing divide between those who want the prophecy to be fulfilled and those who fear what it will mean for the realm.”

Alessia’s stomach twisted with unease. The prophecy again. No matter what she did, no matter how much she tried to avoid it, the prophecy always seemed to hang over her like a dark cloud. And now, it wasn’t just her future at stake—it was the future of the entire realm.

“I’ll be ready in a few minutes,” she said, her voice quieter now.

Caelorn nodded again and left her alone with her thoughts.

As Alessia dressed and prepared herself to meet with Oberon and the council, the weight of everything pressed down on her. She hadn’t asked for this. She hadn’t wanted to be part of some ancient prophecy that could change the fate of an entire realm. But now, it seemed like she had no choice.

And Oberon... The memory of his kiss haunted her. She didn’t know what to do about him, about the feelings that were building inside her. She wasn’t sure if she could trust those feelings—or if she even wanted to.

With a deep breath, Alessia steeled herself and left her chambers, making her way toward the council chamber where Oberon and the others were waiting.

The council chamber was as grand and imposing as ever, with its high ceilings and ornate decorations. When Alessia entered, she found Oberon already seated at the head of the long table, his gaze fixed on the documents in front of him. He didn’t look up when she walked in, and the tension in the air was palpable.

She hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to approach him. The intimacy they had shared last night seemed like a distant memory now, replaced by the cold formality of their roles in this world.

“Alessia,” Oberon said finally, his voice low and even. He still hadn’t looked up from the papers in front of him. “Thank you for coming.”

She swallowed, trying to find her footing. “Of course.”

Oberon glanced up then, his blue eyes meeting hers with an intensity that made her heart race. But this time, there was no vulnerability, no warmth. He was the king again—stoic, guarded, and unreadable.

“We have much to discuss,” he said, gesturing for her to sit.

Alessia nodded and took her seat, her stomach churning with nerves. Whatever had happened between them last night, whatever connection they had shared, seemed to have been replaced by the weight of their responsibilities.

As Oberon began speaking, outlining the tensions among the factions and the growing unrest in the realm, Alessia tried to focus. But her mind kept drifting back to that moment in the library, to the kiss that had changed everything.

Was that Oberon—the man she had kissed—still somewhere beneath this cold exterior? Or had she imagined the connection between them?

The doubts gnawed at her, but she pushed them aside, knowing that there were bigger things at stake now. Whatever was happening between her and Oberon would have to wait. For now, the fate of the fae realm hung in the balance.