Chapter 141
Elena’s POV
He let out another soft laugh, as if recalling something silly, and his eyes sparkled with a mix of admiration and teasing. “You used to make this face whenever you tasted something you didn’t ke. Took me a few reminders to memorise your taste.”
I lifted my head in shock, and before I could say anything, we both burst into laughter. It felt like a return to simpler times- before everything had changed, before life had pulled us in different directions.
I was never particularly picky with food, but if I’m honest, it wasn’t easy to satisfy my taste buds. I could eat anything, but that didn’t mean I liked everything. I never let it show, or at least, I thought I hadn’t. It never occurred to me that someone might notice the small reactions I had when something didn’t sit right.
Once the laughter subsided and we settled into a comfortable silence, my eyes drifted down, and that’s when I saw it again–the keychain hanging from his pocket. The keys and other trinkets were tucked inside, but the sculpted keychain was visible, swaying slightly with his movements.
Compared to his princely attire, the keychain looked out of place worn, simple, and yet familiar.
My breath caught, and I pointed at it, my voice trembling slightly. Wait… is that-?”
Before I could finish, Deacon followed my gaze, and his smile widened. He met my eyes, a playful glint in them. “Yup,” he said, his tone light, “I’m still using it. It’s the keychain I’ve had since… well, you gave it to me.”
Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I was certain my face had turned crimson. I glanced away quickly, hoping the darkness of the night would hide my embarrassment. But I knew better than to think Deacon hadn’t noticed.
Trying to mask my flustered state, I asked softly, “You kept it?”
He shrugged casually, his gaze still on the keychain. “It’s one of the few things that reminded me of you.”
“Reminded me…” I stuttered, racking my brain as memories rushed back.
He shifted in his seat to face me more fully. Nodding, he said, “Yeah, remember? When we were kids, your father was one of my training instructors. We used to hang out together.”
Suddenly, everything clicked. My eyes widened in realisation, and wanted to slap my forehead. How could I have forgotten? He was the prince, for goddess‘ sake. How could I not have remembered something so significant?
Excitedly, I pointed at him. “I remember now! You were injured once, and I gave you that keychain to make you feel better.”
I laughed lightly, staring fondly at the keychain. “I didn’t think it meant anything back then. I figured you’d throw it away or forget it in a box somewhere over the years.”
Deacon raised an eyebrow, his grin playful. “Like how you forgot me?”
“Hey!” I slapped his arm reflexively, the action coming naturally. It’s not that I forgot. It’s just… it slipped my mind for a moment. It’s been years.”
He didn’t seem offended, though. He laughed and took the keychain out of his pocket, holding it carefully in his palm. “It’s the first thing anyone ever made for me. And not because you had to, but because you wanted to.”
2
The weight of his words hung in the air, and I felt the shift in the mood. It wasn’t just a simple trinket anymore. It had become a symbol of something more meaningful.
Deacon’s eyes met mine, and he gave a nonchalant shrug. “So, I kept it. Close to me, every day.”
I reached out instinctively, my fingers brushing over the worn edges of the keychain. I hesitated for a moment before holding it in my hand. The craftsmanship was crude –uneven edges, a design that could’ve been better. It was far from perfect. And yet, there was a weight to it, a connection I hadn’t realised until now.
1/3
Chapter 141
I pulled it closer, a teasing smile tugging at my lips. “I should take back. Look at it–it’s poorly made. The edges are either too sharp or too dull. The appearance could use some work.”
Deacon’s expression shifted immediately, and I could see that he was genuinely protective of it. He grabbed the keychain back from my hands and tucked it into his pocket, his voice firm. “I don’t care. It’s perfect the way it is.”
My heart skipped a beat at his words, and I felt the warmth in my cheeks deepen. I quickly turned my attention elsewhere, hoping he didn’t notice the rapid thudding of my heart. Could he hear it?
My gaze lingered on him, memories flooding back. I remembered our last day in training, when he told me we’d always be friends, that we’d walk the same path together. But then… we drifted apart.
“Deacon…” I whispered, my voice soft with the weight of that memory. “Why didn’t you come find me?”
He stiffened, his eyes darkening as he sighed deeply. Leaning back in his chair, he ran a hand through his hair. “I wanted to. Every day, I wantedito. But by the time I got out of the battles and figured out where you’d gone… you’d already started building a life without me.”
Sadness flashed in his eyes, and he shook his head slowly. “I didn’t want to disturb your life.”
To my surprise, Deacon’s lips twisted into a bitter smile. “I never stopped watching you from afar, though… like a coward.”
I stared at him, shocked by his confession. Without thinking, I leaned forward, my voice sharp but firm. “You’re not a coward, Deacon. You’ve faced death a hundred times over. You fought wars. You defended your people.”
“What’s there to be afraid of? It’s just me.” His voice was light, trying to make a joke of it, but it only made the tension in the air heavier.
His voice cracked slightly as he spoke again. “It’s just… what happened.”
Before I could respond, Deacon quickly changed the subject, brushing off the conversation with a wave of his hand. “Anyway, enough of this. Let’s talk about the engagement. We’re running out of time.”
