Chapter 4: The Boundaries of Obsession
(Lyra’s Private Chamber – Night, Flickering Candlelight Dancing Against the Walls)
Lyra
(Sitting at the edge of her bed, staring at her reflection in the mirror, lost in thought.)
"I’m imagining it. I have to be."
[Inner Thoughts]
(Celeste’s words echo in her mind—soft, poisonous.)
"You do know why he follows you, don’t you?"
(Draven’s golden eyes flash before her—intense, unwavering, watching her like a predator watches its prey.)
"No. He’s just protective. That’s all."
(But was it? Hadn’t it always been something more?)
(A Knock on the Door – Orin Enters Without Waiting for Permission.)
Orin Voss
(Arms crossed, raising an eyebrow)
"You look like you’ve seen a ghost."
Lyra
(Snapping out of her thoughts, forcing a smile)
"Just thinking about the engagement."
Orin Voss
(Leaning against the wall, watching her carefully)
"So… you’re really going through with it?"
Lyra
(Scoffing, standing up)
"As if I have a choice?"
Orin Voss
(Lowering his voice, stepping closer)
"You always have a choice, Lyra. But if you’re waiting for Draven to stop it, don’t. He won’t."
Lyra
(Staring at him, a strange feeling creeping into her chest)
"Why do you say that?"
Orin Voss
(Sighing, rubbing his temples)
"Because if he wanted to stop it, he would have burned the whole court down by now."
(The Grand Hall – Morning, Sunlight Filtering Through Stained Glass Windows, Casting Red and Gold Patterns Across the Marble Floor.)
Lord Darius Blackthrone
(Standing, voice smooth and commanding)
"After last night’s attack on the princess, it is clear that she is no longer safe in this kingdom."
Lyra
(Frowning, exchanging a glance with Kael)
"I was not harmed. Prince Kael and I handled it—"
Lord Darius Blackthrone
(Raising a hand, cutting her off)
"That is irrelevant. What is relevant is that this court has already deemed it necessary for you to wed Prince Kael for both political and security reasons."
King Draven
(Silent, sitting at the head of the table, his expression unreadable.)
Lady Celeste Dain
(smiling sweetly)
"Lord Darius is right. The princess’s safety must come first, after all."
Prince Kael Veylan
(Folding his hands together, glancing at Draven)
"If Your Majesty has no objections, we should proceed with the wedding preparations immediately."
Lyra
(Heart skipping a beat—Draven says nothing. He simply watches, his fingers tapping against the armrest of his throne.)
[Orin & Marion] exchanging looks, tension thick in the air.
Lyra
(Swallowing hard, unable to stop herself from looking at Draven—waiting for something, anything.)
King Draven
(His voice finally breaks the silence, slow and deliberate)
"Do as you wish."
(The Training Grounds – Afternoon, The Sky Dark with Gathering Storm Clouds)
Orin Voss
(Gripping Draven’s shoulder roughly, dragging him away from the soldiers)
"You’re out of your damn mind."
King Draven
(Shaking him off, golden eyes dark)
"Watch your tone."
Prince Marion Steele
(Stepping in, arms crossed)
"No, he’s right. You’re losing it, Draven."
King Draven
(Glaring)
"I told you to drop it."
Orin Voss
(Laughing bitterly)
"And I told you to stop pretending like you don’t care about her marrying Kael."
King Draven
(Jaw clenching, hands fisting at his sides)
"It doesn’t matter."
Orin Voss
(Raising an eyebrow)
"Doesn’t it?"
(Draven says nothing, his silence speaking louder than any words.)
(The Palace Courtyard – Midnight, the Gates Barely Visible in the Distance)
Lyra
(Pulling a cloak over her shoulders, gripping the reins of her horse, heart pounding)
"I just need to think. Just for a little while."
(A Shadow Moves in the Darkness – A Familiar Figure Steps in Front of the Gates.)
King Draven
(His voice calm, but laced with something unyielding)
"Going somewhere?"
Lyra
(Heart stopping, gripping the reins tighter)
"I need air."
King Draven
(Tilting his head, stepping closer)
"Then breathe here."
Lyra
(Glaring, stepping back)
"You can’t keep me here like a prisoner, Draven."
King Draven
(His expression darkens, golden eyes flickering like flames)
"You’re not a prisoner, Lyra."
Lyra
(Voice rising)
"Then let me leave!"
(Draven doesn’t move. He simply watches her, his silence more terrifying than any threat.)
King Draven
(Voice barely above a whisper)
"Say you truly want to leave… and I will let you go."
Lyra
(Staring at him, heartbeat hammering)
"I… I want to leave."
(A Long Pause – Draven Watches Her, Golden Eyes Searching Hers for Something.)
King Draven
(Softly, shaking his head)
"Lies."
(The Moonlight Illuminates the Space Between Them – The Moment Stretches, Heavy and Unspoken.)
Lyra
(Whispering, voice trembling)
"Draven… What are you not telling me?"
King Draven
(Stepping forward, voice low)
"You already know."
Lyra
(Staring into his eyes—seeing it for the first time. Not brotherly concern. Not duty. But something more. Something dangerous.)
(Her breath catches. The realization crashes down on her like a tidal wave.)
King Draven
(His golden eyes burning into hers)
"No matter where you go, Lyra… I will always find you."
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