---
The royal gardens were quiet at dusk—too quiet for a city on the brink of war.
Serian stood alone beneath an ancient arbor wrapped in silvervine, gazing up at the stars slowly blinking into existence. The cheers of the crowd had faded, replaced by the rustling of petals and leaves.
But he wasn't alone for long.
"I knew I'd find you here."
Princess Eliane, dressed in a soft violet gown embroidered with starfire thread, approached with a grace that could calm storms. Her golden hair was braided over one shoulder, and her smile was shy—but steady.
"You're always hiding from your own celebrations," she said.
Serian chuckled faintly, arms folded behind his back. "I prefer silence over applause. Cheers don't make me stronger."
"They do for the people," she replied. "You've become their hope, Serian."
He turned to her slowly, meeting her gaze. "Do you see me that way?"
Eliane hesitated, then stepped closer.
"I see a man who carries too much weight on his shoulders… and still stands tall. I see someone who could've walked away, but chose to save strangers." She reached out, brushing his hand with her fingertips. "You don't pretend to be perfect. That's why I trust you."
---
Silence lingered between them—gentle, uncertain.
Serian didn't know how to respond. Was this part of the plan? Or was this… real?
Kael watched through Serian's clone, and for once, didn't direct the response. He simply observed.
Because a part of him wanted to know:
What kind of love forms around a lie…?
---
"I was supposed to be wed off," Eliane said suddenly, breaking the silence. "To a duke's son, before the war started. But I delayed it. Because I… I wanted to choose."
She looked up at him, heart on her sleeve.
"Would you… stay, Serian? After this is over?"
The words caught him off guard.
Stay?
There was no future for a hero built from illusion. No peace in a life where the real self was buried beneath layers of magic and deception.
But still, he found himself saying:
> "If you'll have me... I'll stay."
---
Far above, the stars shimmered.
And below, Princess Eliane smiled—a smile that could've changed the world.
If only she knew who he really was.
---