As they're dragged through the hallway, Kael's mind spirals in wonder and confusion. Why the hell are they taking them to his room?!
He curses under his breath, struggling against the tight grip of the guards. Can't they take them somewhere else and just call him?!
By the time they reach the door, his heart is in his throat. Each step closer feels like a countdown to something inevitable.
When the knock sounds and the door creaks open, his chest clenches like a fist.
For a moment, he thinks his heart might've jumped out, but no, it's still there, thudding heavily.
He braces himself regardless.
Eryx steps to the side, and the guards drag Kael and the maiden inside. That's when Kael realizes, no amount of bracing, no armor of arrogance or disdain, can shield him from this.
The room alone crushes him. It's not just the space, it's the ghost of a memory trapped within these four walls. A ghost he desperately tried to forget.
But when Eryx steps forward and stands in front of them… the panic vanishes.
Kael's eyes roam over him with a hunger he didn't consent to. It hasn't even been that long, but he already looks like someone else. Older. Sharper. But not unrecognizable. No, not at all. He's still the man Kael fell in love with.
Damn him.
Kael's eyes won't move. The last time he saw that face was the morning after the morning Eryx looked angry at himself, disgusted even.
That memory drags Kael's mind to the night before.
Their night.
His gaze shifts involuntarily to the bed.
And it's there, etched into the silence. Every moment, every touch, every stolen breath from that night floods back with agonizing clarity.
The softness in Eryx's eyes. The vulnerability in his voice. The way his hands had trembled, just slightly, when they held Kael's.
Kael swallows thickly. He tries to shove the memory away. Tries really hard. But it refuses to go.
Not now, he begs himself. Not in front of him.
His heart softens at the memory, but he steels himself. Forces his heart to quiet. Let the head take over. Be smart.
"Is it that you're ignoring me, or do you have an ear problem?"
Kael flinches at the sharpness in Eryx's voice. He must have talked to him, but Kael was lost in his thoughts.
Kael lifts his chin, eyes hard. "Pardon me, my Prince," he replies with cutting sarcasm. He doesn't bow, doesn't lower his gaze like custom demands. No. He holds Eryx's gaze like a challenge.
The other maiden pleads, "My Prince, I'm telling the truth."
Kael doesn't even register her at first, only noticing when she collapses to her knees.
"I told her I didn't want to talk about Kael, but she kept mentioning him." she lies.
A scoff escapes Kael's lips, bitter and cold. He looks to Eryx again and catches the subtle freeze in his posture at the mention of Kael's name.
"Let her go," Eryx says.
Before the words finish leaving his mouth, she's already fleeing, her head bowed, muttering frantic thanks.
Ugh, Kael groans internally. Great. Now his partner's been forgiven. Should've just swallowed his pride and groveled, could've been out of this mess by now. He thinks.
"You may leave too," Eryx commands the guards.
Kael blinks. What the hell? He mutters under his breath. Taking that as his cue, he turns to follow the guards. Knowing very well that he hasn't been allowed too.
"Not you."
Eryx's voice cuts through the air like a blade. Kael freezes.
Slowly, he turns back, forcing a blank expression onto his face. He has to fight to keep his fury and pride under control.
One wrong move and this entire situation could detonate. He needs to leave. Now.
"I…"
He starts, but Eryx steps closer. And suddenly, every carefully built wall Kael had around his emotions starts to quake.
Why is he moving closer. Even the words have vanished.
No. Restrain. Focus. Escape.
Then, a knock on the door. Eryx stops moving, visibly annoyed.
"What?!" His voice vibrates with frustration.
The door opens, and a warrior steps in, Kael recognizes him from the ranks.
"This is not my office!" Eryx snaps.
"It is urgent, my Prince."
"What is it?" Eryx demands.
"You've received a letter… from the Eldoria Kingdom."
Kael's blood runs cold.
Eldoria? His current kingdom? Who could've sent something? No one there seems to bother with anything.
Eryx scoffs. "Eldoria?! That filthy, good-for-nothing kingdom? You interrupt me for that?! What could they possibly say that matters? Stop wasting my time!"
Kael's fingers clench into fists so tight his nails cut into his skin. He tries to hold his tongue, but fury pulses through him.
"If anything, write them back and tell them not to disturb me with nonsense! And if they dare do it again, I'll turn that useless kingdom into nothing. I'll take it over, make them part of this land without a single argument!"
Kael's jaw tightens.
This man… this man is even more heartless than I thought. You'll take it over? Let's see about that.
As the guard turns to leave, Kael catches a glimpse of the name on the letter, Harry.
His heart slams against his ribs.
Just as the guard reaches the door, he turns again. "My Prince, the King wants to speak with you immediately regarding the letter."
Eryx groans. "Ugh! What is it even about?!"
"Harry Hedric, says he wishes to face you alone tomorrow. He says… he'll make you pay for almost killing Prince Darien."
Kael's knees buckle.
What?! Harry! His thoughts spiral. Has he lost his mind?!
"Almost?! That brat didn't die?!" Eryx snaps.
And that's all it takes. Kael's restraint shatters. So it was Eryx. It wasn't just an attack, it was nearly a killing blow.
He looks up, eyes burning, only to see Eryx walking away- cold, uncaring and locking the door behind him.
He might've said something, but Kael doesn't hear it.
"Why the hell did he lock me in here?!"
He paces, a storm in his chest, barely holding himself together.
As he paces, his eyes catch something, half-hidden under a robe. Something familiar.
A glint.
He steps forward, heart thudding harder, and pulls it out.
His sword.
His own damn sword!
He stares at it, a slow, dangerous smirk tugging at his lips. For a moment, pride gleams in his eyes.
Then it vanishes.
The door's locked. But the window? Not.
He moves toward it, eyes dark with resolve.