Chapter Text
Dainsleif stood at the edge of a vast field, a sea of wildflowers stretching out before him. The wind tousled his hair with a gentle touch, carrying the heady scent of blossoms. Amidst the swirling petals, a mesmerising scene unfolded—a sight he yearned to etch into his memories forevermore.
The sun dipped low in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over the landscape. Lumine sat at the heart of the meadow, the colourful flowers dimmed in comparison to the beauty radiating from her. Her fingers moved with delicate grace, plucking flowers from their stems and weaving them into a crown.
He watched as she rose, a soft smile gracing her lips, clearly satisfied with her creation. As her gaze found his, her eyes widened in surprise. Dainsleif’s muscles tensed involuntarily, his attention fixed on her approach. He couldn’t tear his gaze away, as if spellbound by her very presence.
“You’re as punctual as ever.” she teased.
“Your praise fills me with joy, Your Highness.” he replied with a small bow of his head, reluctantly tearing his gaze away from her.
“Hm, have you forgotten what I told you?” she asked, the tone of disappointment lingered in her words. “You don’t have to call me that when we’re alone, Dain.”
“I apologise, Your Highness.”
Lumine sighed. “I’m starting to believe you are doing this on purpose.”
“I do not dare do anything that would displease you.”
“Then stop with the formality already!” she huffed, pouting her lips at him.
Dainsleif couldn’t hold back his smile. “As you wish, Lumine.”
“Look,” she said, holding out the flower crown to him. “I’m getting better, don’t you think?”
Dainsleif’s gaze softened as he beheld the flower crown Lumine had made. It was a simple yet elegant arrangement, the blossoms carefully chosen to complement one another in a cascade of colour. “Yes. It’s beautiful.”
A smile graced her lips at his words. “I’m glad you like it, because I made it for you.” As Dainsleif reached out to take the crown, Lumine withdrew slightly. “Allow me to bestow it upon you, O Mighty Twilight Sword.”
He laughed softly before gracefully lowering himself to one knee in front of her. Sensing the weight of the crown settling upon his head, he remained still, every sense heightened in anticipation. A breath caught in his throat as he felt the delicate touch of Lumine’s fingers, trailing down the side of his face with agonising slowness. Despite the warmth emanating from her hand, there was a tantalising distance between them, leaving him to silently wish for her touch to bridge the gap between them.
“It suits you,” she said, her voice a mere whisper.
Dainsleif lifted his gaze to meet hers. Her eyes, golden as the dawn’s first light. They held the reflection of warmth that stirred his soul—that caused his chest to tighten with longing. His Lumine. Words could not adequately convey his affection for her, nor the overwhelming flood of emotions that surged within him whenever he beheld her gaze.
“Dainsleif?”
Lumine.
He reached out for her hand, gently cradling it in his own as he brought it to his lips. There, he pressed a tender kiss to her knuckles, savouring the delicate sensation of her skin. Reluctant to part from her touch, he stood, his fingers entwined with hers.
“Thank you. I will cherish it forever.”
Lumine laughed, a sweet melody to his ears. “If it pleases you so, I suppose I shall make more for you.”
“One is all I need, Your Highness,” he replied, though his heart yearned to express so much more.
The words lingered on the tip of his tongue, yet he knew he must restrain himself. Bound by duty as her royal guard and she as the crowned princess, he understood the futility of giving in to his emotions. Never could he allow himself to breach the boundaries that separated them, no matter how deeply his heart ached for her. Never.
✧˖°
Lumine paced restlessly within the confines of her room, the rhythmic tap of her footsteps reverberating against the walls. Her hands clenched and released the fabric of her dress in an attempt to dispel the growing unease that coiled within her chest.
She could hear her heart beating wildly, a frantic drumming that echoed in the stillness of her room. Every breath felt constricted, as if the air itself had turned thick and heavy. A knot of tension twisted in her gut, tightening with each step she took.
And the only thing that could ease her heart now was...
“Your Highness, Captain Dainsleif is here.”
“Let him in!” Lumine’s response was immediate, her tone laced with urgency. In that moment, she cared little for formalities or decorum; her focus was solely on finding the truth.
The doors swung open, and with a decisive stride, Dainsleif entered the chamber, his cape billowing in his wake. Lumine’s eyes searched his face for any sign, but he remained stoic, revealing nothing of his thoughts or emotions.
“Well…?” she uttered in a hushed tone, as if the very walls possessed ears eager to catch their exchange.
Dainsleif shook his head. “We’ve searched everywhere, Your Highness—”
“Search harder, Dain!” Lumine urged, her voice edged with desperation. Her eyes, brimming with unshed tears, betrayed the emotions she had suppressed for days, now threatening to overflow.
“His Majesty has requested that the search be halted,” Dainsleif stated matter-of-factly, his voice stripped of emotion. Yet beneath his stoic facade, he harboured a sense of dread. How could he stand before her and deliver such news? Every fibre of his being yearned to defy the king’s orders, to continue the search, but loyalty compelled him to obey without question.
Lumine felt her world crumbling around her. She staggered forward, fingers clutching at the fabric of his top. “This cannot be…” she muttered to herself, her voice trembling with disbelief. “He wouldn’t do this… he wouldn’t disappear without a word. Something must’ve happened to him!” Her words echoed with a mixture of anguish and denial, refusing to accept the grim reality unfolding before her.
“Your Highness…”
“Take me with you, Dain. We can look together and—”
“I cannot do that, Your Highness,” he interjected, cutting her off before she could finish her sentence. He understood that if he let her speak her mind, he would find it difficult to resist her pleas. Because, for her sake, he would move mountains if he had too.
“Dainsleif!” she called out in anguish, her mind scrambling for a solution, for a way to make him reconsider. But what recourse did they have? What could she possibly do? “Please…” she whispered softly, as she pressed her forehead against his chest, seeking reassurance in his presence.
Three days had passed, and the stark reality remained: her brother, Aether, had vanished without a trace.
✧˖°
The courtiers erupted into an uproar, their voices overlapping into an incoherent debate. Despite sitting by her father’s side, Lumine felt completely alone. She tuned out the relentless bickering and shouting, her focus drawn to the stillness of her own hands resting on her lap.
She had never been required to attend these meetings before; after all, it was Aether’s responsibility as the next heir to the kingdom. But now, with his absence, Lumine found herself thrust into the midst of it all, uncertain of what was expected of her.
“This nation will be a laughingstock! What will they say when they discover our heir has vanished!?” someone exclaimed, causing Lumine to look up.
“We are in a vulnerable state now, Your Majesty. If we do not address this, who knows what the neighbouring kingdoms might scheme!” remarked another.
Lumine cast a glance at her father, who had remained silent since the meeting began. His expression was inscrutable, almost bordering on boredom, as if he found the proceedings beneath him. She harboured a certain resentment towards him, feeling that he had given up on searching for Aether too quickly.
Seated at the roundtable as the captain of the Royal Guards, Dainsleif paid little heed to the courtiers’ chatter. Instead, his gaze remained fixed on Lumine. She appeared nervous, clearly out of her element in the unfamiliar surroundings. Had he known they would compel her to attend the court meeting, he would’ve taken it upon himself to guide her through the intricacies of such affairs.
“And what would you suggest we do?” the King’s voice cut through the room, commanding the attention of the courtiers, who fell silent. “Is the court forgetting that I have another offspring? Naturally, the crowned princess will assume the role of my successor,” the King declared with certainty.
Lumine tensed, unsure how to respond to her father’s declaration. She glanced around the table, noticing the disapproval evident among the courtiers. However, Dainsleif’s hopeful expression offered Lumine a sense of comfort.
“That will not do, Your Majesty,” one courtier voiced out, prompting all eyes to turn in his direction. “The princess is still lacking in many aspects. The people will not regard her as a powerful ruler without additional credibility to her name.”
Dainsleif felt a surge of rage coursing through him at those words alone. His fists clenched tightly, the pressure enough for him to feel his fingernails digging into his palms. “How dare—” he began, his voice trembling with restrained fury.
“Captain,” the king interjected to halt Dainsleif’s outburst. He then casually turned his attention back to the courtier. “And what do you propose should be done to enhance her favorability among the people?”
“The neighbouring kingdoms have eligible suitors who are of the princess’s age. A marriage alliance would not only placate the people but also bolster our political influence,” he explained.
“Hmm…I see.” the king muttered to himself.
“Father, are you truly considering this?” Lumine finally voiced out, her tone laced with concern.
“The princess has a duty to serve the kingdom, just like the rest of us,” the courtier continued. “If she is to be betrothed, then it will—”
The sound of a chair scraping against the wooden floor echoed through the chamber, causing everyone to turn their attention to Lumine, who had risen to her feet. “How much longer will you speak as though I am not present before you?!” she exclaimed, her voice ringing with indignation.
“Lumine.” her king warned sternly.
“If the court is so eager to have a puppet on the throne, then so be it. But dictating who I should marry, claiming it to be for the kingdom’s benefit? That’s absurd! We should focus on finding Aether instead of wasting time planning a frivolous wedding!”
“It appears that the princess cannot control her emotions,” one of them sneered.
Dainsleif stood up abruptly, his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of his sword. “Watch your tongue,” he cautioned with a steely gaze, “unless you wish to lose it.”
“Enough! I will not tolerate any more disruption,” the king commanded. “I will address this matter with the officials present before reaching a decision. Now, both of you, leave.”
Before the king could finish speaking, Lumine was already treading towards the door. Dainsleif offered a respectful bow to the king before swiftly turning to follow her. She hurried down the silent hallway, prompting him to quicken his pace to catch up with her.
“Your Highness,” he called out, but she paid him no heed. Undeterred, he extended his hand, hoping to catch hers. “Your Highness,” he repeated.
Lumine suddenly halted, causing him to stop abruptly to avoid crashing into her. She turned around, her eyes glistening with tears, yet her expression was one of anger and frustration.
“What is it, Captain?” she asked, her tone icy.
“...are you alright?” he hesitantly asked.
Lumine stared at him for a long while, her gaze alone making him hold his breath, anticipating either tears or a scolding. To his surprise, she smiled.
“I’ll be alright when I find my brother.”
✧˖°
It has been 25 days, 18 hours, and 11 minutes, Lumine has been keeping track. Each passing moment since Aether’s disappearance seemed to weigh heavily upon her. In just one week, she would be wed to a man from a distant and frigid land. He possessed many names, yet Lumine couldn’t be bothered to remember a single one.
With every passing day, Lumine’s restlessness mounted within the palace walls. The courtiers’ whispers had fueled her father’s paranoia, resulting in her confinement to her room at night and constant surveillance by his men during the day. She felt suffocated, longing for the taste of freedom.
Lumine gazed down at the balcony of her room. It was a daunting height, but if she timed her leap just right, the garden’s hedges might break her fall. All she needed was to muster the courage to jump. And as she thought of finding her brother again, that courage flooded through her.
With a deep breath, Lumine steadied herself at the edge of the balcony. There was no time for second thoughts, as she jumped off the ledge, feeling the rush of air against her skin as she plummeted downwards. For a heart-stopping moment, time seemed to stand still. Then, with a soft thud, Lumine landed amidst the lush greenery of the garden. The hedges cushioned her fall, absorbing the impact as she rolled gracefully to a stop.
Lumine lay on the grassy ground, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she stared up at the star-littered sky. It was the most reckless thing she had ever done, and yet, the rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins drowned out any sense of regret. A sense of triumph surged within her—her spontaneous plan had worked.
She would’ve laughed aloud in that moment of exhilaration, but her joy was short-lived. Minutes later, the distant sound of voices reached her ears, followed by the urgent footsteps of guards. It was clear that they had discovered her absence from her room.
Lumine moved cautiously through the castle grounds, which was in total chaos as guards scoured every corner, their frantic search sending them darting in all directions. She slipped through the shadows, hugging the walls of the castle to remain unseen.
Now in a secluded area behind the castle, the silence engulfed her, heightening her paranoia. Every rustle of leaves, every creak of a branch, seemed to amplify in the stillness of the night. It felt as though at any moment, she would be discovered and dragged back to her room.
“Your Highness?”
Lumine jolted, her heart pounding in her chest, and a scream nearly escaping her lips. Whirling around to face the source of the voice, she was met with the sight of Dainsleif. Relief flooded through her, washing away the remnants of fear that had gripped her moments before.
“You startled me, Dain.” She let out a long sigh, grateful that if anyone had found her, it was him.
“...What do you think you are doing?”
“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m going to look for Aether.”
“Lumi—”
Lumine extended her hand, signalling for Dainsleif to stop. “Save your breath if you’re here to discourage me,” she declared, her tone resolute. “If Father and his entourage won’t act, then I will. Please, don’t stand in my way.” Her words were firm, her resolve unwavering as she met his gaze squarely. She was ready to forge her own path, even if it meant defying those closest to her.
“You are being reckless, Your Highness…” Dainsleif voiced his concern. When I received word of your disappearance…I dreaded the worst. I could not imagine losing you as well.”
“Then come with me, Dain. We can look for him together—”
Dainsleif shook his head. “No, that’s too dangerous. Your safety takes precedence right now, and you are safest here in the castle.”
“Safe?! Have you forgotten that they are forcing me to be wed to a complete stranger for their own gain? How could you say that…?” she said, her gaze pleading with Dainsleif to understand the gravity of her situation.
“I—”
Despite Dainsleif’s strict adherence to protocol, Lumine knew he cared deeply for her, just as she cared for him. She found it hard to believe that he, of all people, would support the arranged marriage. As this realisation struck her, Lumine knew that the moment had arrived. If she didn’t express her feelings now, she might never have another opportunity.
“I have loved you for as long as I can remember,” Lumine confessed, her gaze fixed on the ground to conceal her embarrassment. “Do you remember when we were younger...the promise you made me? You vowed to fulfil my wish, no matter how grand it may be..."
She met his gaze abruptly, her eyes filled with determination. Dainsleif found himself utterly captivated. The sight of her, bathed in the moon’s gentle glow, accentuating her beauty. In that instant, she appeared as radiant as starlight, a beacon guiding him towards everything he desired.
It was almost blinding, how bright she shined. She was right there, in front of him, his star, his Lumine . With each word she spoke, she unlocked emotions he had kept buried deep within his heart, words he didn’t dare release from their locked confines.
“I... I want you to make that promise a reality now, Dain,” her cheeks flushed beneath the moonlight, her eyes shimmering as she held his gaze. “I wish to hear that you will stand by my side. To tell me that you... feel the same—”
“I am, first and foremost, the captain of the royal guard to this kingdom... My loyalty lies with the royal family, with the crown,” Dainsleif’s voice cut through the night, firm and resolute. He tore his gaze away from her dejected expression. “If I were to join you on this journey, do you not realise the chaos it would unleash with both heirs absent? The very foundation of the kingdom would tremble.” He explained, trying his hardest to ignore the growing ache in his chest.
Lumine couldn’t fathom what she was hearing. Had everything she believed been a lie? Had her feelings for him clouded her sight of reality? Was any of this even real anymore? “But if I stay, I’ll have to... Dainsleif, the person I love, the one I want to be with is—”
“Please, Your Highness, put an end to this,” he implored, his words causing her to stare at him in disbelief. “Your duty to the country requires you to marry the neighbouring prince. Just as it is my duty to remain ever vigilant over you and the kingdom. To be your sword and shield. I could never be anything more…”
“...Have you ever loved me?” she breathed out, her voice trembling with emotion.
Dainsleif parted his lips, wanting to state the obvious answer. He had always loved her. His affection for her ran as deep as the ocean, as constant as the stars in the sky. It was as though the mere sight of her smile could alleviate all the pain he had ever endured. Yet, he could never admit these feelings to her.
He knew that acknowledging his love for her would only lead Lumine to plead for them to escape together. If she were to utter those words again, he feared he would succumb to her desires, crumbling in her embrace. It would provide the release he yearned for, a chance to unburden himself of the emotions he had long suppressed. And at last, he would be free to love his Lumine.
But he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He couldn’t forsake the home that held so many cherished memories, the place where he and Lumine had shared countless moments together. How could he be so selfish, especially while bearing the weighty title of the Twilight Sword? He knew he had to deceive her, to say something that would extinguish the flicker of hope in Lumine’s eyes.
Dainsleif dared not meet her gaze, fearing that one look into her eyes would shatter the little resolve he had left. Instead, he focused on the ground beneath his feet, unable to shake the image of Lumine’s vulnerable expression when she had confessed her feelings for him.
“I... never harboured any feelings for you,” Dainsleif began, his voice strained as he forced the words out. “You are the crowned princess, and my duty is to serve you, to be your sword, your shield.” he repeated, a desperate attempt to reaffirm his allegiance. But, for the first time, Dainsleif struggled to maintain a steady voice, his words faltering in the darkness as he prayed that Lumine wouldn’t see through his facade.
Lumine’s silence hung heavily in the air, prompting Dainsleif to steal a glance at her. She was smiling, so bright that it was truly…blinding. His Lumine. No, that’s not right at all, because she was never his, and now, she never would be.
“Thank you for your honesty, Captain.” She said, her smile persistent even as the sound of approaching footsteps reached them.
✧˖°
As the bells chimed and the birds sang in harmony, the grand hall shimmered with elegance and splendour, transformed into a scene straight out of a fairy tale. Guests from distant lands had gathered, travelling great distances to witness the union of two nations.
Dainsleif stood in the shadows, his gaze swept across the room, his outward demeanour composed and vigilant. But beneath his stoic facade, he couldn’t escape the heaviness in his heart. The festivities unfolded around him, laughter and music filling the air, but he remained detached, a silent observer in the midst of celebration.
His thoughts drifted to Lumine, the princess he had sworn to protect, yet whose happiness now lay in the hands of another. Ignoring the ache in his chest, Dainsleif clung to the conviction that his sacrifices were for the greater good. He had made his choices that led him to this moment, and he couldn’t afford to waver now.
As the hall fell silent and the music shifted to a familiar melody, Dainsleif felt the weight of anticipation settle over the room. The guests rose to their feet, their murmurs fading as they awaited the entrance of the bride.
A part of Dainsleif wanted to block himself from the sight of Lumine adorned in her wedding attire. He knew that the sight of her would be like a dagger to his heart, a reminder of the love he could never openly admit. Yet, despite all that, he forced himself to steal a glance, unable to resist the pull of her presence.
There she was, Lumine, the embodiment of beauty that stole the breath from his lungs. As she glided down the aisle with grace and poise, the fabric of her dress cascaded around, embellished with delicate lace and intricate embroidery. But despite her outward radiance, there was a palpable emptiness in her gaze, a void that seemed to swallow the light around her. Lumine continued her procession down the aisle, each step bringing her closer to a future she had never desired.
The ceremony commenced, vows exchanged amidst the murmurs of the crowd. Yet, as Lumine stood before her betrothed, her mind wandered to the man she could never have. In that moment, amidst the splendour of the occasion, Lumine’s heart remained tethered to the one she truly loved, her silent vows whispered to the wind, destined to remain unheard.
Let fate be damned if this is its decree.