As the Council deliberated, Ella caught glimpses of their disapproving glances and hushed whispers. Their judgment loomed heavy in the air, casting a shadow over the once-grand hall. She couldn’t bear to see Ryu suffer because of their connection, their bond that had grown stronger with each passing day.
Eventually, the council reached a decision, and Ryu was called forward to face their judgment. Ella’s heart ached as she watched him step forward, his back straight and his resolve unwavering. She wished she could do something, anything, to support him in this pivotal moment.
But Ryu stood alone, facing the council members with determination and grace.
“Lord Ogumi Ryu, you must dissolve the bond between yourself and this human immediately.”
As Ryu stepped forward with a cry of protest, Lord Haruki held up a hand, silencing him.
“Can you guarantee that your bond with this human will not compromise our court's safety or our people's well-being?”
“Yes,” Ryu shot back, frowning. “Of course!”
Lord Haruki sighed, his eyebrows drawing down. “There is no guarantee you could give us that would make us trust a bond between you both.” Lord Haruki shook his head. “The lifebond must be broken.”
The council members exchanged glances, their voices rising in agreement.
Ryu bowed respectfully, his movements stiff. “Then it shall be done,” he said, his voice breaking.
The council dismissed them, and Ella stood there, watching, as the room slowly emptied. Mizuki and Hiroshi lingered next to her, silent and stiff with worry as their glances darted between Ryu and Ella, both of them remaining silent.
As the council members filed out of the room, Lord Kenji came to a halt before Ryu. His voice, when he spoke, was filled with regret and resignation.
“Forgive me for not standing with you, Ryu.” He shook his head. “I don’t have the necessary political backing to go against the Council in your support,” he confessed, his words laced with apology. “I'm sorry.”
Ella felt a mix of anger and frustration welling up inside her.
How could the Twilight Court turn its back on Ryu, on the vision of a better future he so fiercely championed?
She wished she culd stand up and challenge the Council, to fight for Ryu and their bond.
But how could she fight when Ryu had already given up?
~
After a hurried, stressful lunch, Ella escaped into the tranquility of the gardens.
For his part, Ryu bolted down his food, and left for his study without a backward glance at her.
Fighting back tears, Ella closed her eyes, trying to mebed the scent of blooming flowers of the Twilight Court into her memory.
“Can we join you?”
Ella looked up, nodding when Mizuki and Hiroshi, Ryu’s loyal friends, joined her under the oak tree. Their presence was a comforting balm to her troubled heart.
Mizuki’s eyes held a glimmer of reassurance as she spoke, her voice filled with hope. “Ella, you mustn't lose faith. Ryu will find a way to overcome the challenges he faces.”
Ella offered a faint smile, appreciating their support. However, the weight of recent events weighed heavily on her, casting doubt on the outcome she so desperately wished for.
“I want to believe that, Mizuki, but after what happened with the Darkwalker Council…I'm not so sure.”
Hiroshi chimed in, his voice filled with determination. “Don't underestimate Ryu, Ella. He has faced numerous obstacles in the past and emerged stronger. I have no doubt that he will find a way to navigate this difficult situation.”
As the conversation drifted, Ella’s mind remained clouded with uncertainty. She couldn’t shake off the image of Ryu’s anguish as his bond with her was exposed before the council. She was surprised to find that it pained her to witness the repercussions of their connection, especially when Ryu’s ambitions for the Twilight Throne hung in the balance.
Mizuki and Hiroshi bid their farewells, leaving Ella alone in the tranquility of the garden. Lost in her thoughts, she hardly noticed the approach of Princess Nitya, until the princess’s soft voice broke the silence.
“Are you alright, Ella?” Nitya’s concern was genuine as she studied Ella's troubled expression. “You know, you can confide in me anytime. I'm here to help, one human to another.”
