The night was unusually quiet, the kind of silence that carried an unsettling weight. The wind that usually whistled through the castle corridors was absent, leaving the air thick and still. Elise lay in bed, her mind racing despite the late hour. She had been tossing and turning for what felt like hours, unable to shake a growing sense of unease.
The events of the day had been exhausting, and yet sleep eluded her. Perhaps it was the lingering tension from the nobles' disapproval or the weight of her new responsibilities. Or maybe it was something more—a nagging feeling that something was not quite right.
She sighed, turning onto her side and closing her eyes, willing herself to sleep. But just as she began to drift off, a faint creak echoed through the room, pulling her back to full awareness. Her heart skipped a beat as she sat up, her eyes scanning the darkness.
"Is someone there?" she called out softly, hoping that it was just her imagination playing tricks on her.
There was no response, only the oppressive silence that seemed to grow heavier by the second. Elise’s pulse quickened, her instincts screaming that she was not alone. She reached for the bell beside her bed, intending to summon a guard, when a shadowy figure emerged from the darkness.
A man dressed in black, his face obscured by a mask, stepped forward, a glint of steel in his hand. Elise’s breath caught in her throat as she realized what was happening—this was an assassination attempt. 
Before she could react, the man lunged toward her, his blade aimed at her heart. Elise’s mind raced, paralyzed with fear. She had faced many challenges in her life, but nothing had prepared her for this—a life-or-death situation, alone in the dead of night.
Just as the assassin’s blade was about to strike, the door to her chamber burst open, and Aldric stormed in, his sword already drawn. His eyes blazed with fury as he charged at the intruder, deflecting the blade with a swift, powerful strike.
"Get away from her!" Aldric’s voice was a growl, filled with a ferocity Elise had never heard before.
The assassin staggered back, momentarily stunned by the king’s sudden appearance. Aldric seized the opportunity, driving his sword forward with precision. The assassin barely had time to react, and within moments, he lay on the floor, disarmed and defeated.
Elise remained frozen in place, her heart pounding in her chest. The entire ordeal had happened so quickly that she could hardly process it. But one thing was clear—Aldric had just saved her life.
Aldric turned to her, his expression softening as he sheathed his sword. "Elise," he said, his voice gentler now, "are you all right?"
She nodded, still in shock, but managed to find her voice. "I… I think so. But how did you know?"
He approached her, his eyes filled with concern. "I had a feeling something was wrong. I couldn’t sleep, and when I passed by your chambers, I heard the noise. I’m just glad I got here in time."
Elise swallowed hard, her emotions swirling in a chaotic mix of fear, relief, and something else—an overwhelming gratitude for the man who had just risked his life to protect her.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling. "You saved my life, Aldric."
His expression softened even further, and he reached out, gently cupping her cheek with his hand. "I’m just glad you’re safe. I couldn’t bear the thought of losing you."
The sincerity in his voice sent a shiver down her spine, and she found herself leaning into his touch, seeking comfort in the warmth of his hand. "I was so scared," she admitted, her voice breaking. "I didn’t know what to do."
Aldric’s thumb brushed softly against her cheek, wiping away a tear she hadn’t realized had fallen. "You don’t have to be scared anymore, Elise. I’m here. I’ll always be here."
The vulnerability in his words, combined with the intensity of the moment, made something inside her shift. In that instant, she felt a connection to Aldric that went beyond duty or obligation. It was something deeper, something that had been growing between them since the day they met.
Without thinking, Elise closed the distance between them, wrapping her arms around Aldric in a tight embrace. He hesitated for only a moment before returning the gesture, holding her close as if to shield her from the world.
They stood like that for a long time, the events of the night slowly fading into the background as they found solace in each other’s presence. The danger had passed, but the emotions it had stirred lingered, creating a bond between them that neither had expected.
When they finally pulled apart, Aldric’s hand remained on her waist, his touch firm yet gentle. He looked down at her, his eyes searching hers as if seeking reassurance that she was truly unharmed.
"I don’t want to leave you alone tonight," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "Not after what happened."
Elise felt her heart skip a beat at his words. There was something in his tone—a raw, honest emotion that resonated with the fear she had felt just moments ago. "I don’t want to be alone either," she admitted, her voice equally soft.
Aldric nodded, understanding her unspoken request. "Then I’ll stay," he said simply.
He led her to the bed, his movements slow and careful, as if she were made of glass. Elise sat down, feeling the weight of the night finally catch up to her. Aldric sat beside her, his presence a comforting anchor in the storm of her emotions.
For a while, neither of them spoke. The room was filled with a quiet tension, the air thick with the unspoken words that lingered between them. Finally, Elise broke the silence.
"Why did you do it?" she asked, her voice barely audible. "Why did you put yourself in danger for me?"
Aldric turned to her, his expression serious. "Because I care about you, Elise. More than I ever expected to."
The simplicity of his answer took her breath away. She had known that their marriage, though born out of necessity, was beginning to evolve into something more. But hearing him say it—hearing the depth of his feelings laid bare—was something else entirely.
She looked into his eyes, searching for any hint of doubt or hesitation, but all she found was sincerity. "I care about you too, Aldric," she confessed, her voice trembling with emotion. "More than I thought I would."
His hand found hers, their fingers intertwining in a gesture that felt as natural as breathing. "Then we’ll get through this together," he promised. "Whatever challenges come our way, we’ll face them as one."
Elise nodded, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. The fear and uncertainty of the night had given way to something new—hope. Hope that, despite the odds, they could build a life together that was not just born of duty, but of love.
Aldric leaned in, his forehead resting against hers in a tender gesture that spoke volumes. "You’re stronger than you know, Elise," he murmured. "And I’m honored to have you by my side."
Her heart swelled at his words, and she felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. "And I’m grateful to have you by mine."
They stayed like that for a moment, the world outside their small bubble fading into oblivion. It was just the two of them—two people who had been thrust into a situation neither had anticipated, but who had found something beautiful in the midst of it.
Finally, Aldric pulled back, his eyes still locked on hers. "Get some rest," he urged gently. "I’ll be right here if you need anything."
Elise nodded, feeling exhaustion wash over her. She lay back on the bed, her hand still holding his as she closed her eyes. The events of the night replayed in her mind, but this time, they were accompanied by a sense of peace, knowing that Aldric was there to protect her.
As sleep finally claimed her, the last thing she felt was the warmth of his hand in hers, a silent promise that they would face whatever challenges lay ahead—together.
And in that moment, Elise knew that no matter what the future held, she would never have to face it alone.