***SOME MINUTES LATER IN SILENCE***

She was brought into the palace unconscious by two guards whom the King had assigned to kidnap her. Vladimir's heart skipped a beat as two burly guards dragged in an unconscious Elara between them. Her head lolled to the side, her usual bright eyes closed and her face pale.

Rage and fear surged through him, making his blood boil. "Father, what have you done?!"

King Edmund watched his son's outburst with a cold satisfaction. "I've merely brought her to you", he said slowly, each word dripping with sarcasm. "Though I doubt she'll make quite the charming bride now, will she?". He gestured lazily to Elara's limp form.

"You monster-" Vladimir whispered, his voice trembling with barely controlled fury. He lunged towards Elara, gently cradling her in his arms. Her skin was cold, and seeing her so vulnerable broke something in him.

"You value this common girl over your kingdom?" He stood up, tall, looking at them imperiously. "Is she worth ruining your entire lineage-?".

"Yes" Vladimir answered without hesitation, pressing a soft kiss to Elara's forehead. "She is worth more than your crown, more that this kingdom. You could disown me, strip me of my title. I still wouldn't trade her for your stupid throne".

King Edmund stared at his son, speechless and enraged "You would rather prefer this woman to your own wife? Kingdom? Throne? Me?!".

However Vladimir scooped her up, ignoring his father, her body limp and unmoving. His heart still pounding.

"Damn you all", he muttered, hurrying towards the palace infirmary. He laid her down gently on the bed.

The healers came in "your highness". He watched as they checked her pulse, her breathing and examined the bruises forming on her arms where the guards had gripped her tightly. He was later sent out of the room by one of the healers.

He paced outside the infirmary room, his hands clenched into tight fists. Each second felt like an eternity. He could hear the muffled voices of the healers inside, their tone serious and focused. He wanted to burst in and demand answers, but he knew they needed space to work.

Hours passed agonizingly slow. Finally, the lead healer emerged, "Your highness", he said, "she's stable, but she's still unconscious" Vladimir exhaled sharply, the tension draining from his shoulders. "And the bruising?" He asked his voice, still tinged with anger and worry.

The healer nodded solemnly. "They will heal in time, but she must rest. We have administered healing potions and salves, she might be feigning unconsciousness due to shock or trauma and we recommend keeping her under constant observation and allowing her to wake naturally in her own time".

Vladimir nodded sharply, his jaw set. "I'll take the first watch", he declared, dismissing the healers with a regal wave of his hand. As the door clicked shut behind him, he approached the bedside, his heart aching at the sight of her unconscious state. He gently tucker a strand of her hair away from her face.

"They could've really harmed you-" His heart trembled as he realized how close he'd come to loosing her.

"I failed you..." A strand of tear escaped his eye.