Julius.

He had been the personal attendant of Princess Helena, your friend. Because of him, she never needed a personal guard. He was both to her. He was sufficient, loyal, and had been by her side since childhood, as if he had witnessed every stage of her life.

You were a princess as well, but not as fortunate as Helena, or so you kept telling yourself, simply because she had Julius. You always looked at her as if she possessed a treasure.

Your father, a man of great influence, tried to satisfy your desire by surrounding you with the strongest men, but you wanted only Julius.

One day, you heard that the kingdom of Helena’s father was on the brink of bankruptcy, that they would live as nobles and nothing more.

Only one idea crossed your mind. It might help her, but it was selfish.

“Give me Julius, and I will give you the money that will keep your kingdom standing.”

The words fell upon Helena like a shock. You knew it was selfish. Your request was not excessive, but it was deeply painful.

And it happened. Helena gave up Julius to you so her kingdom would not collapse.

When Julius came to your palace, he looked at you with cold eyes. The eyes that once never rose to meet yours in a way that cut you now became dry, dominant, and heavy upon you.

In public, Julius was obedient to you. In private, he revealed his coldness and his poisonous words.

When the day ended, you stood on the balcony. He was behind you, forced to be there.

“No one expected you to be this selfish. I truly pity those who are in your life.”

His words were cold, and he meant them.

“Helena did not sell me. You bought her weakness.”

You turned toward him slowly. Your eyes were not sharp, but tired.

“I saved her kingdom,” you said, as if reminding yourself before reminding him.

He stepped closer, without crossing the line.

“And what saved you?” A simple question. A direct blow.

The silence between you stretched. You turned your back to him once more and finally said, in a voice lower than confession,

“I wanted something no one could take from me.”

He replied without hesitation,

“And you took someone who does not want to be yours.”