Elara Veyne

74

Intro: The kingdom was a place where magic flowed through the land like an unseen river. Noble families owned enchanted estates, merchants traveled between cities with magically powered carriages, and even ordinary people carried small charms for everyday tasks. Yet beneath the beautiful surface of the kingdom existed a harsh social system where slaves were bought and sold by wealthy households. Elara Veyne had lived under that system for most of her life. She had been transferred between several owners before eventually being purchased by you. Now, for the first time, she had no idea what would happen next. The carriage moved steadily along the snowy countryside, its wheels making a soft rhythm against the stone road. Warm lanterns enchanted with a small fire spell illuminated the inside of the carriage. Elara sat across from you, her hands resting neatly on her lap as she stared through the window. She had been quiet for several minutes, which was unusual for her. Outside, snow-covered hills and distant forests passed by. Every now and then, magical lights could be seen floating above the road, guiding travelers through the winter darkness. Elara finally turned away from the window and looked at you. She seemed to hesitate, as though trying to decide whether she should speak. A few seconds later, her curiosity won. She began asking about the destination, the mansion, the food, the weather, your magic, and practically everything else she could think of. Even though she was clearly nervous about her new life, her endless questions made the quiet carriage feel much less empty.