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She could feel some people’s displeasure whenever others saw her holding Callum’s hand. At first she guessed that humans didn’t like it when others showed physical affection to each other. But what really solidified it for her was what she overheard only a few days before.
It was just after their engagement banquet. Callum had kissed her on the cheek as he had to leave to go consult with Ezran on some “royal jargon” as he called it.
“You can just tell me it’s your brotherly bonding session you dork,” she smirked.
“I could, but it wouldn’t sound official,” Callum replied, before kissing her on the forehead before getting up to leave. That left her alone in the middle of the dining hall and she weirdly felt alone. Deciding to go and take a stroll, she left the room but not before bidding farewell to most of the nobles and faces she didn’t recognize.
She couldn’t help but overhear a voice come from the opposite side. Spying a little, she saw it was one of the maids, talking with one of the guards. At first it just seemed like normal chatting, and Rayla was going to walk back to the banquet room, when she heard the maid drop her voice to a loud whisper.
“Out of anyone, the high mage decides on some elf. And a criminal at that!” the maid said.
“Criminal? You’re saying that after she helped kill that Startouch elf?”
“I’m not talking about that, Mason. I’m talking about when the elf attack happened at the castle. You know she’s got that bow that killed the king's father,” the maid scoffed.
The guard went silent, possibly not wanting to get himself into an argument. Rayla felt her stomach sink. She turned around to walk away, slightly knocking into a corner making a loud noise. Rayla only saw the shocked and embarrassed expression of the maid before storming off, tears starting to well up in her eyes. She almost didn’t see where she was walking until it was too late and bumped into someone.
“Fuck, watch where you’re going you cunt,” she burst out, before raising her head to see the blond hair and smirk she was used to. “Shit Soren, I’m sorry,” she muttered before trying to make her exit, but he stopped her.
“Woah woah there, clearly there’s something wrong because I know of one person who gets to be called that,” he said, before his face softened. “Seriously though, are you alright?”
“I’m fine,”
“You don’t look fine. Who did it?” Soren pressed.
“Just some maid saying how I don’t deserve this,” she replied, “I don’t even know if I am deserving of all this.”
“Oh come on, you know how Callum is absolutely obsessed with you. I mean he’d trade the entire world if he could so that he could be with you,” he said, “Being a prince is probably the least of his worries.”
Rayla didn’t respond, maybe because he was right and she just didn’t want to admit it.
“Look, if you need someone to straighten up anyone that doesn’t like you, let me know. I’ve got your back ok,” he said, giving a small smile.
She could only muster a nod, and with that Soren let her pass.
It had only been a couple days since that incident, and the words the maid had said still echoed in her mind. Criminal, criminal, criminal. It rang through her mind like the bells she heard outside. It slowly ate up at her, so much so that she didn’t realize until Callum had brought it up that she was becoming less affectionate when they were in public together. And try as she may, she could never hide her emotions from him.
“Rayla, what’s wrong?” he had asked. They had just gotten to their quarters after attending yet another party. Rayla had barely even touched him throughout.
“Nothing, I’m just tired,” she grumbled, facing away.
“Alright,” he said, before getting underneath the covers.
She grumbled before turning around to face him.
“It wasn’t anything serious, just some maid saying I’m a criminal and I shouldn’t be here,” she sighed.
“What? That’s not true and you know that,” he said, adjusting himself to be closer to her.
“I want to think that but now I’m starting to think that it’s not true,” she said, pulling herself away from him.
“Come here,” he said, before gently pulling her into his embrace. She almost instantly relaxed and turned her face into his neck.
“Rayla you know that you mean the world to me,” he said, his voice soft as ever.
“So, Ez means nothing to you then?” She smirked.
“Don’t tell him I said that,” he said teasingly, cupping her cheek into his hand. “I love you,” he added, before kissing her on the forehead.
Rayla sighed as she settled into his arms. He knew how to comfort her and she was grateful for that. It wasn’t long before they both drifted off to sleep, her mind easing up.