Chosen- An Elriel Royalty AU
Masterlist
Elain Archeron was sobbing into a pillow on her lavish four poster bed when her younger sister, Feyre, walked into her suites.
“Laney, what is it?” The younger princess asked, sounding concerned. Elain refused to meet her gaze.
“Nothing.” It was most certainly nothing and they both knew it. Ever since Azriel has shown up, Elain had been entranced by him. He was an apprentice in the ballet company that was located in the southern wing of the palace. They had spent time together in the gardens at night, and they had stolen forbidden kisses and secrets from each other. Elain had thought herself in love with him until two evenings ago when she was betrothed to Prince Lucien of the Autumn Kingdom. As Lucien was the seventh in line for the kingdom of Autumn, and she was first in line for the throne of the Western Realms, she would get to stay in her home. Near Azriel, her traitorous mind thought. Azriel likely wanted nothing to do with her, nor she with him, she tried to convince herself.
Feyre sighed and got up to leave the room. She was most likely going to find their eldest sister, Queen Nesta, and ask her about the ball. The ball had been arranged to celebrate Feyre’s engagement to His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince Rhysand of the Night Court. Elain cringed at the title; why did she have to marry someone because of a title anyways? Feyre was lucky enough to have fallen in love with and chosen Rhysand for herself.
She heard graceful footsteps approach her door and stop long enough to slide a piece of paper under, then stalk away. She wiped at her tear stained cheeks and went to retrieve it. She resolved to get dressed for the ball, even if she was dreading seeing Lucien there. The piece of paper was a crisp note. Elain’s breath hitched at he familiar handwriting. The note read:
My Dearest Elain,
Please forgive me if my absence from the gardens has been giving you grief these past few nights. I wouldn’t have missed our time together if I didn’t have a good reason. I do believe my motivations were honorable, as I was meeting with an old friend with some connections.
I’m completely and totally yours. You’re my everything. Elain, you’re the reason I get out of bed in the morning. If only we were allowed to wake up in each other’s arms. Every time I see you, another piece of my battered heart belongs to you. I simply cannot lose you, El. Which is why I need you to come to the ball tonight. I can’t explain now, but my friend has brought some things to light. I finally have hope, Love, and you should too.
Yours always, Azriel
Elain did have hope. She just didn’t know what she was hoping for. A future with Az? Did he mean for them to steal away? She would go anywhere with him, he was her home. She would have to renounce her duty to her country, and she would if he asked her to. Elain was beyond confused. And the things he’d said. They hadn’t talked often of their feelings because they knew that, someday, someone would tell them that they couldn’t be together. That word, Love, rang though her mind as she slipped into her dark purple gown.
Elain was announced as she carefully descended the steps onto the dance floor.
“Her Royal Highness, Princess Elain of the Western Realms,” Elain sucked in a breath to prepare for the second title that would be hers in less than a year, Future Princess of the Autumn Court. Her title wouldn’t be official until(or unless) she she accepted Lucien’s proposal, as was custom. Nevertheless, it would still be announced. The announcer cleared his throat, making Elain’s anxiousness even worse before continuing, “Future Duchess of the Night Court.”
Elain continued to walk down the steps and then froze at the bottom when she realized what she’d heard. Future Duchess of the Night Court. The Night Court?! Feyre’s fiancé’s territory? Elain must’ve heard incorrectly. She made to go find Feyre when she heard the announcer clear his throat again.
“His Royal Highness, The Duke of The Night Court.” A murmur went through the crowd. Elain turned and couldn’t believe her eyes. Standing at the top of the steps in all his formal regalia, was Azriel. He had a very fancy navy jacket on with silver lapels, silver buttons, and navy pants. He looked for all the world like a royal, albeit a slightly nervous one. He scanned the crowns as he descended the sweeping staircase. His gaze locked with hers. She was still standing at the bottom of the steps.
His smile was wonderfully bright as he approached her side, extended an arm for her to take, and leaned over to kiss her cheek. As he did, he whispered, “I’ll explain.” His breath was delightfully warm on her ear and she shivered.
Azriel escorted her over to Rhysand and Feyre who were both grinning. She took that as a good sign. Azriel then told her his story: he was Rhys’s older half brother, but his father had wanted Rhys to be king because the love the king had for Rhys’s mother was greater than his love for Azriel’s or even their eldest brother, Cassian’s. Azriel had left to pursue a different dream, he had become a ballet dancer. A very talented and well-known one at that, Rhys had added. That was how Rhys had reconnected with Az. He had gone to see one of his shows without realizing who the principal male dancer was, and he had recognized his brother immediately. They had spent time together and written each other after that. It had been easy enough for them to see each other as Rhys had wanted to stay near the Princess that he had fallen in love with. So, it seemed, had Azriel, Feyre added with a smirk. Elain blushed. She and Azriel hadn’t said that to each other yet, but as she met his intent hazel gaze, she knew that they would soon be sharing such intimacies. It made Elain’s heart melt and her core heat as she thought of the other intimacies they would also be allowed to partake in. Azriel continued to explain how he and Rhys had written to their father, asking for Az’s title and lands to be restored to him. Azriel had also asked for the hand of his love, Princess Elain, in marriage. His father had been more than happy to welcome him to the family, apologizing for the way that he had treated Az and his mother. Elain was beyond words. She merely stared at Azriel, Duke Azriel, slack jawed and waited for him to tell her that the sky was not, in fact, blue.
“Would you care to accompany me to the gardens, Elain?”
She couldn’t say anything, so she nodded. He took her to their favorite spot in the gardens, a fountain full of lily pads with a weeping willow to the side of it and a lovely little bench surrounded by violets. He took a deep breath, running his fingers through his hair(a nervous habit that Elain found quite endearing).
“There is one thing I must ask you now, El.”
“Oh?”
He dropped to one knee. Her hands flew to her mouth to stop her lips from quivering. He produced a golden ring that was surrounded by a ring of small pink diamonds on top of the band.
“My sweet Elain, you are the love of my life, the light in my darkness. Just the thought of you brings a smile to my face. I never want to be apart from you for the rest of our lives, so,” He paused to take her hand, “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” She beamed at the love in his eyes. Her own eyes were filled with tears of pure euphoria.
“Yes!” She exclaimed giddily before kissing her fiancé, the man that she would love until the end of time and beyond.
And they lived happily ever after...