The knock was soft, almost hesitant, yet in the quiet study it sounded clear.
"Come in," the King said.
The door opened gently.
A young woman stepped inside, moving with natural grace. Her golden hair flowed down her back in soft waves, catching the light from the tall windows. She wore a gown of pale blue threaded with silver, light and elegant, like morning mist over a lake. She did not look overly adorned. She looked effortless, as though she belonged to the calm beauty of the palace itself.
She bowed first to the King.
Then she turned and offered the same respectful greeting to Kael.
For a brief moment, Kael forgot to breathe.
His thoughts slipped past his control.
God truly took his time creating her.
The King's voice cut through the stillness.
"Kael."
He straightened at once. "Yes, Your Majesty."
The King gestured toward the girl. His expression softened.
"She is my daughter."
Kael lowered his gaze respectfully, though the image of her remained clear in his mind.
After a pause, the King continued, his voice quieter.
"After my wife passed away, my daughter lost her ability to hear… and to speak."
The words carried weight, settling heavily in the room.
Kael looked at the princess again, this time with understanding rather than surprise.
"It has not been easy," the King said. "The world is polite, but not kind. Many speak of marriage and alliances, yet what they truly want is someone flawless. Someone convenient."
His voice trembled just slightly. He turned away, but not before a tear escaped, followed by another. He did not hide them.
Kael felt a tightness in his chest. He gave a small nod, acknowledging the King's pain without intruding on it.
The King stepped closer to his daughter and raised his hands, signing with practiced care.
Why did you come here?
She responded smoothly, her fingers graceful and precise. There was warmth in her expression, along with a hint of urgency.
The King nodded in understanding.
Before he could speak, Kael said quietly, "She says lunch is ready. She came to invite you… and your guest."
The King turned sharply to him.
"That is correct," he said slowly. "You understand sign language?"
Kael hesitated. "Only a little, Your Majesty."
Inside, his thoughts were far less certain.
I have never learned this… then how?
The princess observed the exchange, her curious gaze lingering on Kael.
The King checked the clock on the mantel.
"There is still time before lunch," he said. "Kael, you have never seen the palace properly, have you?"
"No, Your Majesty."
"Then you should," the King replied. His eyes softened as he looked at his daughter. "You have been away from the world for years. And she has spent too much of her life alone."
The princess stood quietly near the door, hands folded.
"You are the same age," the King continued. "And you understand her language. That already makes you someone she can be comfortable with."
He turned and signed to his daughter.
Show him the palace. Keep him company.
Her eyes brightened. She nodded and gestured gently for Kael to follow.
Kael bowed. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The King gave a faint smile. "The gardens are especially beautiful today."
The study doors closed softly behind them.
---
Sunlight streamed through stained glass windows, spilling color across the marble floors as they walked through the grand corridors. Tapestries lined the walls, each telling stories of past rulers and forgotten wars.
After a short walk, the princess glanced back and signed carefully.
First… the east garden.
Kael nodded. "Lead the way."
The gardens opened before them like a quiet dream painted in green and gold. Butterflies drifted lazily between flowers, and the distant fountain sent a soft shimmer through the air.
They walked side by side in easy silence.
After a moment, Kael gently touched his chest to get her attention and signed,
I just realized… I never asked your name.
She smiled.
Alisha. Alisha Silverwindcrest.
Kael repeated it softly, then signed,
Beautiful name.
She blinked in surprise, not expecting him to continue so naturally.
My turn, he signed. I am Kael Ravenshade. Son of Rowan Ravenshade.
He tilted his head.
You probably already knew that.
She nodded.
I know you. You were in a coma for many years. It was big news.
Kael froze mid step and covered his face briefly.
So I am famous for sleeping. Wonderful.
Her eyes widened and she signed quickly,
Sorry. I did not mean—
He waved his hands lightly.
I am joking.
She studied him, then relaxed when she saw the warmth in his expression. A shy smile appeared.
They continued walking, their conversation flowing in quiet gestures.
No pity.
No strain.
Just shared understanding.
---
From a tall window above, King Valerius watched them.
"Look at her," he said softly to his assistant. "I have never seen her speak with a stranger this long… and look so at ease."
The assistant glanced at him carefully. "You planned this, didn't you?"
Valerius gave a tired smile.
"Before I am a king, I am a father."
His voice lowered.
"I have seen proposals vanish the moment people learn of her condition. They want a perfect princess, not a real one." His jaw tightened. "I want her to have a home where she is not pitied. A husband who sees her as a woman, not a burden. Children who run to her without hesitation."
He looked at Kael.
"That boy looks at her without fear. Without discomfort. There is honesty in him. A kind of innocence life did not have the chance to harden."
"And you think he could be the one?" the assistant asked.
Valerius answered quietly,
"A man who walks beside her. Not ahead of her."
Below, Alisha showed Kael a cluster of rare white flowers. He bent slightly to listen as she explained in sign.
For the first time in years, the king allowed himself to hope.
And even a king must handle hope carefully.
The assistant remained silent for a while, watching the pair in the garden below.
"They look comfortable together," he said at last.
Valerius nodded faintly. "Comfort cannot be forced. That is why I did not command it."
Below, the garden path curved toward a marble fountain. Clear water spilled from carved stone hands into a round basin, sunlight scattering across its surface like broken glass.
Alisha stopped there and turned to Kael.
She signed slowly.
Do you like gardens?
Kael watched her hands carefully before answering.
I do. They are quiet without being lonely.
Her expression softened at that. She stepped closer to the fountain and let her fingers drift through the falling water.
This is my favorite place, she signed. When everything feels too heavy, I come here.
Kael understood without needing further explanation. Palaces, offices, expectations. Walls could feel closer than chains.
He signed back,
The port is the opposite. Loud. Always moving. I was tired after one day.
Her shoulders shook with silent laughter.
You do not look very strong, she signed playfully.
Kael placed a hand over his chest.
I am deeply offended.
Her laughter grew, bright and unguarded. It reached her eyes first, lighting them in a way few people ever saw.
Kael found himself smiling without effort.
There was no awkwardness between them. No need to search for words. Silence was not a gap to fill. It was simply space they shared.
Alisha began walking again, motioning for him to follow along a narrower path lined with pale blue flowers.
As they walked, she signed,
Were you scared when you woke up?
Kael slowed slightly.
Yes, he admitted. The world had moved on. I felt like I did not belong anywhere.
She watched him carefully.
I feel like that too sometimes, she signed.
He looked at her, surprised by the honesty in her expression.
Then we can learn slowly, he signed. At our own speed.
She smiled. Not shy this time. Certain.
Above them, unseen, Valerius let out a quiet breath.
"Hope is a fragile thing," the assistant murmured.
"Yes," the king replied. "But today… it feels possible."
In the garden below, two figures walked beneath open sky, their hands moving in steady conversation, building a bridge neither of them had known they needed.
And for the first time in a long while, the silence around the princess did not feel empty.
They reached the end of the flower path where the garden opened into a wide terrace overlooking the lower grounds of the palace. From there, the land rolled gently toward distant trees, the afternoon light washing everything in gold.
Alisha rested her hands lightly on the stone railing.
Beautiful, she signed.
Kael stood beside her, following her gaze.
Yes, he answered. It feels… peaceful.
She glanced at him, tilting her head slightly.
What did you like before… before the coma?
The question lingered between them.
Kael looked out over the gardens, searching through memories that felt like they belonged to someone else.
I liked riding horses, he signed slowly. And reading adventure stories. I wanted to travel.
Her eyes brightened with interest.
You still can, she signed.
He gave a small smile.
Maybe. Everything feels new now. Like I woke up in someone else's life.
She considered that, then signed with gentle certainty.
Then you can choose what kind of life you want.
The simplicity of her words caught him off guard.
Most people had spoken to him about duty, responsibility, expectations. She spoke as if the future were something open, not assigned.
Before he could reply, a palace attendant approached from a distance and bowed respectfully.
Your Highness, lunch is ready.
Alisha nodded and thanked him with a graceful gesture. Then she turned to Kael.
Time to go back, she signed.
He nodded.
Lead the way.
They walked back through the sunlit corridors, their pace unhurried. Servants stepped aside quietly, some watching with mild surprise at the sight of the princess so openly engaged with a guest.
When they reached the dining hall, tall doors stood open. Inside, a long table had been prepared, sunlight streaming through high windows onto polished silver and crystal.
King Valerius was already there.
His eyes moved immediately to his daughter. He noticed the color in her cheeks, the ease in her posture.
He noticed Kael walking beside her, not ahead, not behind.
"Did you enjoy the garden?" the king asked.
Alisha nodded and signed quickly. The king watched her hands, then looked to Kael.
"She says she showed you her favorite place," he translated.
Kael bowed his head slightly. "It was an honor, Your Majesty."
Valerius gestured toward the table. "Come. Let us eat."
As they took their seats, something subtle had changed.
The meeting was no longer only about documents and signatures.
It had quietly become the beginning of something none of them had planned… yet all of them, in different ways, had been waiting for.