Chapter 20

Roderick's eyes widened at the unexpected question, and a faint blush crept up his cheeks. "Well, I... I suppose I've had my fair share of fleeting affections, but nothing quite like love."

Elias's expression softened, his eyes reflecting a distant memory. "Ah, love. It's a force that can shape destinies and alter the course of even the most steadfast souls. Have you ever heard the legend of the Star-Crossed Lovers?"

Roderick shook his head, intrigued. "No, I can't say I have."

Elias leaned in, his voice low, drawing Roderick into his tale. "Once, in a distant land, there lived a prince and a commoner. Their love was forbidden by the laws of society, but they could not deny their hearts. Their secret meetings were like stolen moments of magic, and their whispered promises carried the weight of eternity."

"Did they find a way to be together?" Roderick asked, captivated by Elias's s