Was this how being a king felt? Years ago his mother had warned him of how he wouldn’t be able to find true connections as king and would eventually lose the few he did. Perhaps he had given himself too much credit as a kid. Back then, he didn’t think it to be a problem. At first, he thought that he would need no one. Then when the two of you became best of friends as teenagers, he thought that as you were one of the strongest knights of Sapientia, you wouldn’t be harmed so easily.

Evan had grown cocky.

He had sent a fleet of his best men to battle against Saewine for invading their land, which meant that you also had to leave. It disheartened him, yet he couldn't afford to be so selfish. After all, being a leader meant sacrificing his personal wants for the needs of his people. That was one of the reasons why he never confessed his feelings for you. But was it all worth it, when it had been 3 whole days since he had sent you, the love of his life, to your death?

The council had concluded that the men Evan had sent were all but alive and safe, and all sheer horror that he had killed his most honorable men, no matter how unintentional, haunted Evan. A dog who accidentally bit a rabbit would still have its blood pouring from its jaws. Evan was about to announce the deaths of the knights to his people, when a guard keeping a watchful eye by the borders spotted the men. Evan immediately rushed forward, cancelling his speech in hopes of finding his friend. He had a near panic attack seeing several of his men carrying your unconscious body, though his men had calmed him down, saying you were just exhausted by the fight and had merely fainted.

Maybe he hadn't failed you after all. He could redeem himself.

And that was how you woke up in his bedroom days after your arrival, being fussed over by the King of all people.

"Ai! Don't get up so suddenly!" He rushed forward guiding you as you sprung up from bed in shock of the change in scenery. "You'll jostle your injuries!"